Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Microplastics in groundwater: a global analysis

Researchers conducted a global groundwater sampling study to characterize microplastic contamination in aquifer systems worldwide, investigating transport mechanisms and fate of particles in anoxic subsurface environments where knowledge gaps remain despite extensive research on surface water systems.

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

Can groundwater geochemistry and contaminants of emerging concern help elucidating microplastic  sources and possible transport pathways?

Scientists found tiny plastic particles (microplastics) in underground water sources in Italy by studying how water moves through different soil layers. The research shows that these plastic particles mostly come from nearby local sources rather than traveling long distances underground, and they get trapped when they hit clay or other dense soil layers. This matters because understanding how microplastics move through groundwater helps us better protect drinking water sources and figure out where plastic pollution is coming from.

2026
Article Tier 2

Assessment of the groundwater recharge processes of a shallow and deep aquifer system (Maggiore Valley, Northwest Italy): a hydrogeochemical and isotopic approach

Researchers analyzed water chemistry and isotopes across shallow and deep groundwater systems in northwest Italy, tracing how water from distant mountain recharge zones mixes before reaching a heavily used drinking water well field. The study clarifies potential pathways for pollutants to reach drinking water supplies, providing critical information for protecting this major regional water resource.

2023 Hydrogeology Journal 16 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics pollution in groundwater: Case study - Slovenia

Researchers investigated microplastic pollution in Slovenian groundwater, which supplies drinking water to 98% of the population, characterizing MP occurrence, transport, and risk across multiple aquifer systems affected by urban, industrial, and agricultural activities.

2024
Article Tier 2

Microplastics transport during Managed Aquifer Recharge – A potential cause of groundwater contamination?

Researchers measured microplastics at multiple stages of a major managed aquifer recharge system in Switzerland and found that plastic particles from the Rhine River can penetrate through the treatment process into pumped groundwater, raising concerns about drinking water quality.

2023
Article Tier 2

A comprehensive review on microplastics: Their presence in surface and ground water, environmental distribution, and impact on human and aquatic systems

This comprehensive review examines the distribution, environmental behavior, and health impacts of microplastics in surface water and groundwater systems. Researchers summarized how microplastics enter surface waters and subsequently infiltrate groundwater, acting as carriers for other contaminants along the way. The study emphasizes the need for standardized analytical procedures for groundwater microplastic research and highlights the role of particle size and morphology in determining potential health effects.

2026 The Science of The Total Environment
Article Tier 2

Microplastic particles in karst and alluvial aquifers

Researchers studied microplastic particle occurrence and distribution in karst and alluvial aquifer systems, investigating how these subsurface environments serve as sinks or conduits for plastic pollution. The study contributed data on groundwater microplastic contamination in geologically distinct aquifer types.

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

(Micro-)Plastics in Saturated and Unsaturated Groundwater Bodies: First Evidence of Presence in Groundwater Fauna and Habitats

Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in three Italian groundwater systems, including karst caves and an alluvial aquifer, providing early evidence that microplastics are present in underground water habitats. The study also found that groundwater-dwelling invertebrates had ingested microplastic particles, raising concerns about pollution impacts on these fragile and largely unstudied ecosystems.

2024 Sustainability 25 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurence and Distribution of Microplastics in the Hyporheic Zone in the Ziarat River

Researchers investigated the occurrence and distribution of microplastics in the hyporheic zone of the Ziarat River, examining how this ecologically sensitive interface between surface water and groundwater accumulates microplastic particles and extends the exposure time of benthic organisms.

2024
Article Tier 2

Distribution of microplastics in freshwater systems in an urbanized region: A case study in Flanders (Belgium)

Researchers mapped microplastic distribution across freshwater systems in Flanders, Belgium, finding widespread contamination with concentrations varying by land use and urbanization level, providing a regional-scale assessment needed for risk evaluation in densely populated areas.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 37 citations
Article Tier 2

Modeling and Parametric Simulation of Microplastic Transport in Groundwater Environments

Researchers developed a parametric simulation model specifically for microplastic transport in groundwater environments, addressing the inadequacy of existing dissolved-contaminant models for studying particulate plastic pollution in subsurface systems.

2021 Applied Sciences 28 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics Across Interconnected Aquatic Matrices: A Comparative Study of Marine, Riverine, and Wastewater Matrices in Northern Greece

Researchers studied tiny plastic particles (microplastics) in seawater, rivers, and wastewater treatment plants in Northern Greece to see how much plastic pollution exists in the region's water systems. They developed a reliable method to measure these microscopic plastic pieces, which can enter our food chain through seafood and drinking water. This baseline data will help authorities track plastic pollution levels and develop strategies to reduce microplastics in water that could eventually affect human health.

2026 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

A Global Review of Microplastic Contamination in Groundwater: Empirical Evidence and Latin American Perspectives

Scientists reviewed 129 studies and found that tiny pieces of plastic (called microplastics) are contaminating groundwater around the world, which is concerning because groundwater provides drinking water to billions of people. The research shows we don't know enough about this problem, especially in Latin America where only two studies have actually tested groundwater for plastic contamination. This matters because we need better monitoring and policies to protect our underground water sources from plastic pollution that could affect human health.

2026 Water and Environment Journal
Article Tier 2

Global distribution, drivers, and potential hazards of microplastics in groundwater: A review

This review maps the global distribution of microplastics in groundwater and finds that contamination is widespread, with fiber-shaped particles and polyethylene being the most common types detected. The study highlights that climate change and local geology play underappreciated roles in how microplastics move through soil into groundwater, which is a drinking water source for billions of people worldwide.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 27 citations
Article Tier 2

Estimating Groundwater Recharge and Precipitation Sources of the Zamora River Basin, Southeastern Ecuador, by Using GIS and Stable Isotopes

This paper is not about microplastics; it uses stable isotopes and GIS-based water balance models to study groundwater recharge mechanisms in the Zamora River Basin in Ecuador.

2023 Research Square (Research Square) 1 citations
Article Tier 2

The invisible problem of microplastics and microfibres in karst systems and aquifers: a multidisciplinary approach

This thesis investigates how microplastics and microfibres move through karst (limestone) systems and underground aquifers using a multidisciplinary approach, a concern because karst aquifers supply drinking water to roughly a quarter of the global population and are particularly vulnerable to contamination given their direct hydraulic connections to the surface.

2026 Politecnico di Torino
Article Tier 2

Microplastics Across Interconnected Aquatic Matrices: A Comparative Study of Marine, Riverine, and Wastewater Matrices in Northern Greece

Scientists studied tiny plastic particles (microplastics) in seawater, rivers, and wastewater treatment plants in Northern Greece to understand how much plastic pollution exists in the region's water systems. They developed a reliable method to measure these microscopic plastic pieces and established baseline pollution levels that can help authorities create better strategies to reduce plastic contamination. This matters because microplastics can enter our drinking water and food chain, and understanding where they're most concentrated helps protect both environmental and human health.

2026 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Microplastics Pollution in the Groundwater of Three Land Use Types, Southeastern Hungary

Researchers investigated microplastic pollution in groundwater across three land use types in southeastern Hungary, providing data on the rate and distribution of microplastic contamination in a freshwater resource that has received far less study than surface water bodies.

2025 Sokoto Journal of Geographical Studies
Article Tier 2

Distribution and transport of microplastics in groundwater (Shiraz aquifer, southwest Iran)

Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in groundwater from an alluvial aquifer in a semi-arid region of Iran. They identified microplastics in all sampled wells, with fibers and fragments being the most common shapes and polyethylene the dominant polymer type. The study demonstrates that groundwater, an important source of drinking water, is not immune to microplastic contamination and calls for more research on transport mechanisms in subsurface environments.

2022 Water Research 84 citations
Article Tier 2

Review of Current Issues and Management Strategies of Microplastics in Groundwater Environments

This review synthesizes current knowledge on microplastic contamination in groundwater, identifying it as a substantially understudied environment compared to surface water and marine systems. The authors describe pathways by which microplastics enter aquifers and discuss management strategies for this largely invisible contamination route.

2022 Water 64 citations
Article Tier 2

Three-Dimensional High-Precision Numerical Simulations of Free-Product DNAPL Extraction in Potential Emergency Scenarios: A Test Study in a PCE-Contaminated Alluvial Aquifer (Parma, Northern Italy)

This paper is not about microplastics; it presents numerical simulations of how chlorinated solvent contaminants migrate through a groundwater aquifer and how they can be extracted via a pumping well.

2023 Sustainability 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic particles in groundwater systems worldwide

This review synthesizes global evidence on microplastic contamination in groundwater systems, examining how particles enter aquifers via vadose zone infiltration, groundwater-surface water exchange, and managed recharge sites, while highlighting the lack of standardized baseline concentration data across aquifer types worldwide.

2025
Article Tier 2

Current status of researches on microplastics in groundwater and perspectives

This review examines the current status of microplastic research in groundwater systems internationally, identifying that despite growing attention to microplastics in surface and marine waters, groundwater investigations remain sparse both in South Korea and globally. Researchers diagnosed gaps in monitoring methodology and management frameworks, proposing directions for more effective groundwater microplastic assessment.

2022 Journal of the geological society of Korea 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and Sources of Microplastics in groundwater divided by well depth and Hydrogeology in South Korea

Researchers investigated microplastic occurrence in South Korean groundwater stratified by well depth and hydrogeological setting, finding microplastics in wells across all depths and identifying surface connectivity as a key factor controlling contamination levels.

2024