Papers

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Article Tier 2

Occurrence of microplastics pollution in the Yangtze River: Distinct characteristics of spatial distribution and basin-wide ecological risk assessment

Researchers analyzed microplastic pollution across the entire Yangtze River basin, compiling data from the headwaters to the estuary to create a comprehensive picture of contamination. They found distinct spatial distribution patterns, with higher concentrations in urban and industrialized stretches of the river. The study also conducted a basin-wide ecological risk assessment, finding moderate to high risk levels in several sections.

2022 Water Research 94 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Surface Water in the Yangtze River, China: Basin-Wide Observation, Multiple Ecological Risk Assessment and Sustainability

Researchers conducted a three-year survey of microplastic pollution across the entire Yangtze River Basin in China and found an average of nearly 8,800 microplastic particles per cubic meter of surface water. Tiny particles smaller than 0.3 millimeters made up over 92% of what was found and drove the variation in pollution levels between locations. The study highlights that previous research may have significantly underestimated microplastic contamination by not capturing these smallest particles.

2025 Sustainability 2 citations
Article Tier 2

The pollution of microplastics in sediments of the Yangtze River Basin: Occurrence, distribution characteristics, and basin-scale multilevel ecological risk assessment

This study mapped microplastic pollution throughout the Yangtze River Basin in China and found an average of 611 particles per kilogram of sediment, with wide variation across locations. Smaller microplastics under 1 millimeter and fibrous shapes were most common, and contamination was closely linked to population density and human activities. The findings are concerning because the Yangtze River system provides drinking water and food resources to hundreds of millions of people.

2023 Water Research 65 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in the Yangtze River Basin: Heterogeneity of abundances and characteristics in different environments

Researchers compiled microplastic data from 624 sampling sites across the Yangtze River Basin covering water, sediment, soil, and biota, revealing heterogeneous contamination patterns driven by local land use, population density, and wastewater infrastructure.

2021 Environmental Pollution 112 citations
Article Tier 2

[Pollution Characteristics and Ecological Risk Assessment of Microplastics in the Yangtze River Basin].

A comprehensive survey of the Yangtze River basin — the longest river in China — found microplastics at abundances ranging from 21 to over 44,000 particles per cubic meter, with the highest concentrations in urban tributary areas like Chengdu. Fibers and fragments under 1 mm were most common, and statistical analysis linked microplastic abundance strongly to vehicle ownership and tourism activity. The study found that roughly 69% of sampled areas fall within elevated ecological risk categories, with Taihu Lake identified as a particular hotspot.

2024 PubMed 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Characteristics and Distribution of Microplastics in Shoreline Sediments of the Yangtze River, Main Tributaries and Lakes in China—From Upper Reaches to the Estuary

Scientists measured microplastic concentrations in sediments along 54 sites spanning the Yangtze River system in China, from the upper reaches to the estuary. Microplastics were found throughout, with higher concentrations near urban and industrial areas, showing how large rivers distribute plastic pollution across vast distances.

2021 Research Square (Research Square) 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Environmental fate of microplastics in the world's third-largest river: Basin-wide investigation and microplastic community analysis

Researchers conducted a basin-wide investigation of microplastics throughout the entire Yangtze River system, sampling water, sediment, and soil. The study found microplastics in all samples with abundance increasing from upstream to downstream, driven by both geographical and human factors, with major cities at the middle and lower reaches identified as key pollution nodes.

2021 Water Research 254 citations
Article Tier 2

Characteristics and distribution of microplastics in shoreline sediments of the Yangtze River, main tributaries and lakes in China—From upper reaches to the estuary

Microplastic concentrations were measured in shoreline sediments from 54 sites along the Yangtze River, its tributaries, and adjoining lakes from the upper reaches to the estuary, revealing widespread contamination that generally increased toward the more urbanized lower river. The study provides one of the most spatially comprehensive surveys of Yangtze River microplastic pollution to date.

2022 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 17 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution Characteristics of Microplastics in Surface Seawater off the Yangtze River Estuary Section and Analysis of Ecological Risk Assessment

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in surface seawater near the Yangtze River estuary across four seasons in 2017 and 2019. They found microplastics at all sampling stations, with abundance varying by season and influenced by river discharge and ocean currents. The study provides baseline data on microplastic pollution levels in this ecologically important estuarine region of China.

2023 Toxics 15 citations
Article Tier 2

[Distribution and Settlement of Microplastics in the Surface Sediment of Yangtze Estuary].

Researchers found microplastics in surface sediments at six sites in China's Yangtze River estuary, with concentrations varying by location and season. The study documents significant plastic contamination in this major coastal zone, raising concerns about ecosystem health and entry of microplastics into the marine food web.

2018 PubMed 23 citations
Article Tier 2

[Occurrence Characteristics and Ecological Risk Assessment of Microplastic Pollution in the Yellow River Basin].

Researchers examined the spatial distribution, composition characteristics, and ecological risks of microplastic pollution across the Yellow River Basin in China, assessing contamination levels in the nation's historically significant waterway system.

2025 PubMed
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and characteristics of microplastics across the watershed of the world’s third-largest river

Researchers conducted a large-scale survey of microplastic pollution across the entire Yangtze River watershed, the world's third-largest river. They found microplastics throughout the river system, with concentrations decreasing from upstream to downstream, and fiber-shaped particles smaller than 1 mm being most common. The study provides important baseline data showing that even remote upstream areas of major river systems carry significant microplastic contamination.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 24 citations
Article Tier 2

A catchment-wide microplastic pollution investigation of the Yangtze River: The pollution and ecological risk of tributaries are non-negligible

Researchers conducted a large-scale survey of microplastic pollution across the entire Yangtze River catchment, including both the main river and its tributaries. They found that tributaries contributed significantly to the overall microplastic load and posed ecological risks that had been previously overlooked. The study emphasizes that effective pollution management for major river systems must account for contamination flowing in from smaller waterways.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 30 citations
Article Tier 2

Suspended microplastics in the surface water of the Yangtze Estuary System, China: First observations on occurrence, distribution

Researchers measured suspended microplastic concentrations in surface water across the Yangtze Estuary system in China, finding spatial gradients that reflected inputs from the Yangtze River and local coastal sources.

2014 Marine Pollution Bulletin 1035 citations
Review Tier 2

Distribution, characteristics, and research status of microplastics in the trunk stream and main lakes of the Yangtze River: A review

This review synthesizes research on microplastic distribution, characteristics, and sources in the Yangtze River trunk stream and its major lakes, identifying industrial discharges, urban runoff, and agricultural films as dominant pollution sources affecting one of the world's most populated river basins.

2022 China Geology 14 citations
Article Tier 2

Extent and risks of microplastic pollution in the Yangtze River. State of the science

This review analyzed data from 21 studies on microplastic pollution in the Yangtze River, one of the most polluted rivers in the world. Researchers found that many existing studies had quality issues that make it difficult to accurately assess the true risks. The study calls for higher-quality, standardized research methods to properly evaluate how microplastics are affecting one of Asia's most important waterways.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 24 citations
Article Tier 2

[Basin Distribution and Ecological Risk of Microplastics in Surface Water Bodies in China].

A comprehensive analysis of data from China's ten major river basins (2014–2023) found microplastic contamination in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and estuaries across the country, with microplastic abundance strongly correlating with population density and economic output. Polypropylene and polyethylene were the dominant polymers, and the Haihe River Basin near Beijing was classified as high ecological risk. The study also highlighted a major data gap: far less is known about microplastics in China's less-populated northwestern regions. These findings provide a national-scale picture of where microplastic pollution is most severe and what types of plastics are driving the ecological risk.

2025 PubMed 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination in the yangtze river: Evaluating pollution levels and the need for standardized research methods

This review synthesizes data from 21 studies to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment of microplastic pollution throughout the Yangtze River Basin, applying QA/QC protocols to characterize particle abundance, size, shape, and polymer type while calling for standardized research methods to improve comparability.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination in the yangtze river: Evaluating pollution levels and the need for standardized research methods

This review synthesizes data from 21 studies to assess microplastic pollution levels across the Yangtze River Basin, characterizing particles by abundance, size, shape, and polymer type while applying strict QA/QC protocols and highlighting the critical need for standardized research methods.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and fate of microplastic debris in middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River – From inland to the sea

A large-scale survey along the middle and lower Yangtze River found microplastics throughout the water column and sediments, with concentrations increasing toward the river mouth and a clear trend of microplastics moving from inland sources toward the sea. The study provides field evidence for rivers as major pathways for microplastic transport from land to ocean.

2018 The Science of The Total Environment 320 citations
Article Tier 2

Seasonal dynamics, tidal influences, and anthropogenic impacts on microplastic distribution in the Yangtze River estuary: A comprehensive characterization and comparative analysis

Researchers studied microplastic pollution in the Yangtze River estuary and found average concentrations of about 1 particle per cubic meter of surface water, mostly polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyethylene. Microplastic levels were nearly twice as high during flood season compared to dry season and decreased with distance from urban centers. These findings highlight how population density and seasonal water flow influence microplastic distribution in major waterways.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 24 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in the Yangtze River: Characterization, influencing factors, and scenario-based predictions using machine learning method

Microplastic pollution in the Yangtze River was characterized across multiple sampling sites, documenting spatial patterns in particle abundance, polymer types, and size distributions. As one of the world's largest rivers, the Yangtze's microplastic burden has major implications for plastic delivery to the Pacific Ocean.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials 1 citations
Article Tier 2

[Occurrence, Driving Factors, and Risk Assessment of Microplastics in Surface Water of Typical River Basins in the Yangtze River Delta, China].

Researchers investigated microplastic occurrence, spatial distribution drivers, and risk assessment in surface water of Taihu Lake, Taipu River, and Huangpu River in China's Yangtze River Delta using field sampling, stereomicroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Network analysis was applied to identify driving factors behind the spatial distribution patterns of microplastic pollution across these interconnected freshwater systems.

2025 PubMed
Article Tier 2

Microplastics contamination in different trophic state lakes along the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River Basin

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in surface water and sediments of 18 lakes along the middle and lower Yangtze River Basin in China. They found microplastics present in all sampled lakes and identified a correlation between lake trophic state and microplastic abundance. The study suggests that wastewater discharge, which drives both eutrophication and microplastic pollution, is a common underlying factor linking these two environmental issues.

2019 Environmental Pollution 222 citations