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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Storage-Release Dynamics of Microplastics during rainfall events in Conduit-Fissure Coupled Karst Aquifers
ClearSeasonal dynamics and typology of microplastic pollution in Huixian karst wetland groundwater: Implications for ecosystem health
Researchers tracked microplastic levels in groundwater beneath a karst wetland in China across seasons, finding contamination ranging from about 1 to 49 particles per liter. The unique cave-and-underground-river geology of karst regions allows microplastics to migrate from the surface into groundwater more easily than in other terrains, with agricultural runoff and domestic wastewater identified as the main pollution sources.
Spatial distribution characteristics and migration of microplastics in surface water, groundwater and sediment in karst areas: The case of Yulong River in Guilin, Southwest China
Researchers investigated microplastic distribution in surface water, sediment, and groundwater in the karst landscape of the Yulong River in Guilin, China. They found microplastic pollution across all water compartments, with living areas showing the highest contamination and tourism-related disposable plastics identified as a primary source. The study suggests that microplastics reach groundwater through hydraulic exchange with surface water in karst areas rather than through soil infiltration.
Does Microplastic Pollution in the Epikarst Environment Coincide with Rainfall Flushes and Copepod Population Dynamics?
Researchers examined whether microplastic pollution in epikarst environments coincides with rainfall flush events and copepod population dynamics, sampling water from karst springs over time to correlate plastic particle concentrations with hydrological and ecological variables. The study found that rainfall-driven infiltration pulses influenced microplastic transport through the karst system, with potential implications for epikarst invertebrate communities.
Preliminary Study on the Distribution, Source, and Ecological Risk of Typical Microplastics in Karst Groundwater in Guizhou Province, China
Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in karst groundwater across Guizhou Province, China, finding concentrations ranging from about 2 to 10 particles per liter. The dominant types were polystyrene and polyethylene, primarily in film and fiber forms. The study found that rainfall events significantly increased microplastic abundance and movement in karst groundwater, and that most sampling sites showed low ecological risk under normal conditions.
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.
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.
Distribution, sources, and transport of microplastics in a karst river of Southwest China
Researchers sampled the Wuma River, a karst river in Southwest China, and found microplastics (mostly fragments under 100 micrometers) in both surface water and sediments, with polyurethane and PET as the dominant polymers. The unique geology of karst landscapes — featuring underground river networks, large boulders, and overflow dams — was shown to significantly affect where microplastics accumulate and how far they travel downstream. Residential activity, agriculture, and road tire wear were identified as the main sources. Understanding how karst systems trap and redistribute microplastics matters because these landscapes supply drinking water to millions of people.
Floods enhance the abundance and diversity of anthropogenic microparticles (including microplastics and treated cellulose) transported through karst systems
This study examined how flood events affect microplastic transport through karst (limestone cave) water systems. Researchers found that floods dramatically increased both the amount and variety of microplastic particles moving through underground waterways. The findings matter because karst systems supply drinking water to about 25% of the global population, and flood-driven pulses of microplastics could contaminate these water sources.
Microplastic Contamination in Karst Groundwater Systems
Springs and wells from two karst aquifers in Illinois were found to contain microplastics exclusively as fibers (up to 15.2 particles/L), with their presence correlated with phosphate, chloride, and triclosan, suggesting septic effluent as the source. The study demonstrates that karst groundwater systems used for drinking water are vulnerable to microplastic contamination infiltrating through their open, conduit-dominated architecture.
Extensive abundances and characteristics of microplastic pollution in the karst hyporheic zones of urban rivers
Researchers found high microplastic abundances — averaging 2,273 items per kilogram — in river sediments across ten karst cities in southwest China, with polyamide the dominant polymer, highlighting the elevated pollution risk in karst ecosystems where contaminants travel long distances underground.
Microplastic particles in karst and alluvial aquifers
Researchers investigated the occurrence and characteristics of microplastic particles in both karst and alluvial aquifer systems, examining how plastic particles migrate through these distinct subsurface geological environments. The study addressed a significant knowledge gap regarding groundwater contamination by microplastics in aquifers that differ in their hydrogeological properties and filtration capacity.
Distribution and Abundance of Microplastics in Underground Rivers in the South Malang Karst Area: First Evidence in Indonesia
Researchers documented microplastic contamination in underground rivers within a karst limestone region of South Malang, Indonesia, providing the first evidence of such pollution in the country's groundwater systems. They detected microplastics in all water samples, with fibers being the dominant type. The findings challenge the assumption that karst rock formations act as natural filters, suggesting that surface plastic pollution can penetrate into underground water sources.
Subterranean transport of microplastics as evidenced in karst springs and their characterization using Raman spectroscopy
Raman micro-spectroscopy confirmed the presence of microplastics in karst spring water from rural Romania, with concentrations of 0.034-0.06 fragments or fibres per liter, demonstrating subterranean transport of microplastics through karst aquifer systems.
Seasonal pulse effect of microplastics in the river catchment-From tributary catchment to mainstream
Researchers tracked seasonal variation in microplastic concentrations in the Liangfeng River catchment in China using fluorescence-based detection, finding seasonal pulses of microplastic contamination driven by rainfall and land use patterns, and documenting microplastic migration from tributary to mainstream.
Microplastic particles investigation in karst aquifer (Zvenigorod, Russia)
Researchers investigated microplastic particle presence and distribution in a karst aquifer near Zvenigorod, Russia, finding that single-use plastics and inadequate waste management are contributing to groundwater MP contamination even in this relatively protected geological setting.
Preliminary investigations of microplastic pollution in karst systems, from surface watercourses to cave waters
This study collected water samples from surface streams and connected cave waters in a karst system in Italy to document microplastic pollution in groundwater-linked environments. Microplastics including fibers and fragments were detected throughout the karst system, demonstrating that plastics infiltrate even protected underground aquifers.
Adherence of Polystyrene Microspheres on Cave Sediment: Implications for Organic Contaminants and Microplastics in Karst Systems
This study found that polystyrene microspheres adhere readily to cave sediment particles in karst aquifer systems, with implications for how microplastics and organic contaminants are transported through karst groundwater. Karst systems may act as pathways for microplastics to reach groundwater supplies used for drinking water.
Microplastics in karstic systems: a review of sources, transport paths and storage
This repository contains geospatial data and bibliographic records supporting a review of microplastic pollution in karst (limestone cave and sinkhole) systems, mapping where microplastics have been detected across these ecologically important groundwater environments. Karst systems supply drinking water to roughly a quarter of the world's population, making microplastic contamination there a significant but understudied human health concern.
The problem of anthropogenic microfibres in karst systems: Assessment of water and submerged sediments
Researchers assessed anthropogenic microfiber contamination in karst cave systems by analyzing water and submerged sediment samples. They found that both synthetic and natural microfibres were widespread throughout the karst environments, with sediments accumulating higher concentrations than water samples. The study raises concerns about microfiber pollution reaching underground water systems that serve as important drinking water reserves.
Microplastic pollution in vulnerable karst environments: case study from the Slovenian classical karst region
Researchers sampled karst springs, caves, and other habitats in Slovenia's classical karst region and detected microplastics across multiple sites, including springs used for drinking water, raising concerns about plastic contamination of these ecologically sensitive and hydrologically connected underground environments.
Spatiotemporal dynamics of microplastics in an urban river network area
Researchers investigated microplastic dynamics in an urban river network in eastern China, finding abundances of 2.3 to 104.6 particles per liter that were significantly higher during wet seasons and concentrated near commercial, industrial, and wastewater discharge areas.
Understanding the impacts of human wastewater effluent pollution on karst springs using chemical contamination fingerprinting techniques
Researchers used multi-tracer chemical fingerprinting to trace human wastewater contamination into karst spring systems, finding that these highly permeable aquifers rapidly transmit pollutants including pharmaceuticals and potentially microplastics from surface sources to drinking water springs.
Microplastics in groundwater: a global analysis
Researchers conducted a global groundwater sampling study — collecting approximately 300 litres per site from caves, boreholes, monitoring wells, and surface springs worldwide using a standardised filtration protocol — to characterise microplastic contamination in these poorly studied anoxic systems. The study presented first results aimed at closing a major knowledge gap about microplastic transport and fate in global groundwater resources.
Fate of Microplastics in Deep Gravel Riverbeds: Evidence for Direct Transfer from River Water to Groundwater
Researchers tracked microplastic particles vertically through gravel riverbeds using depth-profile sampling, finding that MPs move directly from river water into subsurface gravel sediments and onward toward groundwater, documenting a pathway for plastic particles to enter drinking water aquifers.