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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Emerging contaminants, including microplastics, in surface waters : uses of watersheds and impacts on the environment
ClearIntegrated occurrence of contaminants of emerging concern, including microplastics, in urban and agricultural watersheds in the State of São Paulo, Brazil
Researchers measured contamination from microplastics and other emerging pollutants in both urban and agricultural watersheds in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo. They found microplastics in all sampled locations, along with pesticides, caffeine, and other chemicals, with pollution patterns differing between urban and farming areas. The study shows that microplastic contamination is widespread in Brazilian water systems used for drinking and irrigation, contributing to human exposure through multiple pathways.
Relative contributions of different local sources to riverborne microplastic in a mixed landuse area within a tropical catchment
Researchers quantified the relative contributions of different land-use sources to riverborne microplastics in a tropical catchment, providing data to help prioritize pollution reduction measures for protecting human and ecological health.
Microplastics in water from the confluence of tropical rivers: Overall review and a case study in Paraiba do Sul River basin
Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination at river confluences in the Paraiba do Sul River basin, Brazil's most important southeastern watershed serving millions of people. They found microplastics throughout the river system, with higher concentrations near industrial and densely populated areas. Since this river basin supplies drinking water and supports agriculture for a large population, the contamination raises direct concerns about human microplastic exposure.
Polyamide and polyethylene terephthalate microplastics as vectors of contaminants in aquatic systems
This thesis examined how polyamide and polyethylene terephthalate microplastics serve as vectors for other contaminants — such as pesticides and heavy metals — in aquatic systems in Brazil.
Review: Microplastic contamination in the Guandu River basin: The water supply reservoir of Rio de Janeiro metropolitan region (Southeastern Brazil) — R1/PR7
Researchers found microplastic concentrations of 6.1 ± 4.9 particles/m³ in the cold-dry season and 2.3 ± 1.1 particles/m³ in the warm-rainy season in the Guandu River basin of Rio de Janeiro, with polyethylene and polypropylene dominating and higher abundance linked to greater urban land use.
The revelry of plastic! Quali-quantitative variation of microplastics in freshwater before and after Carnival in south-eastern Brazil
Researchers conducted a quali-quantitative survey of microplastics in freshwater habitats, characterizing variation in abundance, polymer type, and morphology across multiple sites and linking pollution levels to upstream land use and human activity.
Contamination by plastics and microplastics: (re)knowing the lived reality.
This Brazilian literature review examines the environmental impact of plastics and microplastics across different pollution scenarios, discussing the history of plastic production and consumption, relevant environmental legislation, and the importance of recycling in addressing plastic contamination.
Assessing land-use impacts on a 5th-order tropical river using multiple environmental indicators
Researchers combined multiple environmental indicators to assess the health of a tropical river system in Brazil affected by land-use change from agriculture and urbanization. Rivers in degraded landscapes also carry higher microplastic loads, and multi-indicator approaches provide a more complete picture of ecosystem health.
Spatial and temporal distribution of microplastics in water and sediments of a freshwater system (Antuã River, Portugal)
This study tracked the spatial and temporal distribution of microplastics in water and sediments of a freshwater lake, finding seasonal variation in microplastic concentrations and identifying local land use and runoff as key drivers of contamination patterns.
How natural and anthropogenic factors should drive microplastic behavior and fate: The scenario of Brazilian urban freshwater
This review examines the factors driving microplastic contamination in Brazilian freshwater systems, including the country's massive plastic production and limited recycling infrastructure. Researchers highlight that more than half of post-consumer plastic packaging in Brazil goes unmonitored, and most microplastic research has focused on marine environments while freshwater data remains scarce. The study calls for more systematic monitoring of Brazilian rivers and lakes, especially given the country's continental-scale waterways and diverse ecosystems.
Assessing the impacts of land use and land cover on occurrence, spatial distribution of microplastics and heavy metals in an agricultural watershed, Tadepalligudem, Andhra Pradesh, India
Researchers mapped the occurrence and spatial distribution of microplastics and heavy metals in agricultural runoff from a watershed in Andhra Pradesh, India. They found an average of 41.7 microplastic items per liter, dominated by polypropylene and polyethylene fibers, with heavy metal concentrations of cadmium, arsenic, chromium, and lead posing varying levels of health risk. The study highlights that land use patterns significantly influence both microplastic and heavy metal contamination in agricultural water systems.
Revealing microplastic dynamics: the impact of precipitation and depth in urban river ecosystems
Microplastic abundance was monitored at different depths and during different precipitation events in urban rivers in Brazil, finding that rainfall significantly increases MP concentrations and that deeper water layers can carry higher loads than surface water.
Microplastic pollution differences in freshwater river according to stream order: Insights from spatial distribution, annual load, and ecological assessment
Researchers compared microplastic pollution levels in a freshwater river across different land-use zones, finding higher concentrations near urban and agricultural areas than in forested regions. Fiber-type microplastics were predominant across all sampling locations.
Effect of Anthropogenic Type and Depth on Microplastic Abundance in Mahakam River Water, Samarinda City
This Indonesian study measured microplastic concentrations in water from the Mahakam River at different depths and near different land use types in Samarinda city. The results showed higher plastic levels near urban and agricultural areas, providing data on plastic pollution in a major Borneo river that local communities depend on.
Qualitative and quantitative analysis of microplastics in runoff sediments and their correlation with land use and occupation in an urban area in the city of Bauru-SP
Researchers analysed the qualitative and quantitative distribution of microplastics in urban runoff sediments across different land use categories in Bauru, Sao Paulo, Brazil, including social housing, traditional residential, high-income residential, commercial, and industrial zones. Results indicated that microplastic abundance in transported sediments correlated with land use intensity, with more densely populated and active areas generating higher microplastic loads entering urban drainage networks.
Benthic macroinvertebrates and microplastic contamination in contrasting water quality environments of the Middle Tietê River basin (São Paulo, Brazil)
Researchers compared microplastic contamination in benthic invertebrates and sediments between a heavily polluted urban river and a cleaner tributary in São Paulo, Brazil. Higher microplastic concentrations were found near urban areas, confirming that human activity drives plastic accumulation in freshwater ecosystems.
Spatio and temporal dynamics of microplastic fluxes within the watercourses of a peri-urban watershed
Researchers tracked the spatiotemporal dynamics of microplastic fluxes within a river catchment over time, linking plastic transport patterns to land use activities. The study found that land use type is a key driver of when and how much microplastic enters and moves through watercourses.
Land Use and Rainfall as Drivers of Microplastic Transport in Canal Systems: A Case Study from Upstate New York
A study in a tropical watershed found that land use type and rainfall intensity were the dominant drivers of microplastic transport from land into water bodies. The results emphasize that agricultural and urban land uses are key sources of microplastics flushed into rivers during rain events.
Effect of Land Use within Watershed Boundary on the Types of Microplastics Observed in Surface Water
This study surveyed microplastics in the Ciujung watershed in Indonesia and found polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyester particles in surface water, with the types of plastic reflecting local land use activities such as farming, irrigation, and settlement waste disposal. The research demonstrates that land use patterns within a watershed directly shape the microplastic contamination profile of its waterways, which is important for identifying pollution sources and designing targeted interventions.
Microplastics in Freshwater River in Rio de Janeiro and Its Role as a Source of Microplastic Pollution in Guanabara Bay, SE Brazil
Researchers found widespread microplastic contamination in three rivers flowing into Guanabara Bay, Brazil, with an average of 3,651 particles per cubic meter dominated by fibers, identifying these freshwater systems as major sources of coastal microplastic pollution.
Incidence of Watershed Land Use on the Consumption of Meso and Microplastics by Fish Communities in Uruguayan Lowland Streams
Researchers found that fish in urbanized Uruguayan lowland streams ingested significantly more meso- and microplastics than fish in streams draining extensive ranching land, with 309 individuals from 29 species analyzed. The results link watershed land use intensity to plastic contamination levels in freshwater fish communities.