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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Macroplastics in Lakes: An Underrepresented Ecological Problem?
ClearResearch status and prospects of microplastic pollution in lakes
This review systematically covers microplastic pollution research in lakes, including sampling and identification methods, distribution patterns, ecological effects, and knowledge gaps, identifying lakes as important but understudied sinks for microplastic contamination.
Microplastic in Freshwater Environment: A Review on Techniques and Abundance for Microplastic Detection in Lake Water
This review examines microplastic pollution in freshwater environments, summarizing detection techniques and reporting on abundance data from rivers, lakes, and streams worldwide. The authors highlight methodological inconsistencies that complicate cross-study comparisons and call for standardized sampling and analysis protocols.
Global microplastic contamination in freshwater lakes: Spatial patterns, environmental drivers, and methodological challenges
This review systematically analyzed 84 studies covering more than 300 lakes worldwide to assess global microplastic contamination in freshwater lake systems. Surface water MP concentrations ranged from below 0.001 to over 200 MP/L, with fibers and fragments dominating, polyethylene and polypropylene most common, and highest levels found in shallow, lowland, and eutrophic systems near urbanized shorelines.
Microplastic pollution in lakes: Sources, impact, and solutions
This review comprehensively covers the sources, pathways, ecological impacts, and remediation strategies for microplastic pollution in freshwater lakes, highlighting how particles from urban runoff, wastewater, and atmospheric deposition accumulate in lake ecosystems and transfer into food webs.
Unveiling the Microplastics Menace: A Bibliometric Analysis from 2011 to 2023
This review examines the escalating problem of microplastic pollution in aquatic environments through bibliometric analysis of literature from 2011 to 2023, identifying gaps in knowledge and emerging research opportunities related to the degradation, distribution, and ecological impacts of microplastics.
A comparative review of microplastics in lake systems from different countries and regions
Researchers reviewed microplastic contamination data from lake systems across multiple countries, finding that abundance, size, and polymer type varied widely by region and identifying land use, population density, and hydrological connectivity as key drivers of lake microplastic levels.
Global occurrence characteristics, drivers, and environmental risk assessment of microplastics in lakes: A meta-analysis
This meta-analysis of 42 studies found significant heterogeneity in microplastic pollution levels across global lakes, driven by geographical location and sampling methods. Small microplastics (under 1 mm) were disproportionately concentrated in sediment compared to water, and while most lakes showed low overall environmental risk, pollution levels in lake sediments were generally higher than in surrounding water.
Microplastics in freshwater systems: A review of the emerging threats, identification of knowledge gaps and prioritisation of research needs
This review synthesizes the growing body of research on microplastic contamination in freshwater rivers, lakes, and sediments, which has received far less attention than marine environments. Researchers found that freshwater microplastic concentrations can rival or exceed those reported in ocean studies, particularly near urban and industrial areas. The study identifies critical knowledge gaps including the lack of standardized sampling methods and limited understanding of how microplastics affect freshwater organisms and ecosystems.
Plastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems: macro-, meso-, and microplastic debris in a floodplain lake
Researchers surveyed macro-, meso-, and microplastic debris in a South American floodplain lake and found an average of 704 microplastic particles per square meter in sediments, with plastic contamination comparable to marine beaches — demonstrating that freshwater lakes can be major plastic pollution reservoirs.
Microplastics in lakes and rivers: an issue of emerging significance to limnology
Researchers found that microplastic concentrations in freshwater lakes and rivers can exceed those of living organisms like zooplankton, with sediment levels matching the most contaminated marine sites, establishing microplastics as a significant issue for limnology.
On the likelihood of ecological risks from microplastics in the Laurentian Great Lakes
This review assessed the likelihood of ecological risks from microplastics in the Laurentian Great Lakes, identifying significant challenges for risk assessment due to inconsistent data quality and lack of standardized methods, and calling for policy development to address microplastic pollution in these iconic ecosystems.
Analysis on advances and characteristics of microplastic pollution in China’s lake ecosystems
Statistical data on microplastic pollution were compiled and analyzed for 86 lakes across China's lake ecosystems over the past five years, revealing widespread contamination with concentrations generally higher in lakes near urban and industrial areas. The review identifies China's heavily polluted eastern lake region as a priority for microplastic monitoring and management intervention.
Beyond the ocean: contamination of freshwater ecosystems with (micro-)plastic particles
This review examined the available data on microplastic contamination in freshwater ecosystems — rivers, lakes, and urban water systems — and found it to be widespread globally, though often underreported compared to marine environments. The authors highlight the need for reliable concentration data and chemical characterization of freshwater plastics to properly assess ecological risk.
Microplastic Pollution in Surface Waters and Sediments of Urban Lake
This book chapter reviews microplastic pollution in urban lake surface waters and sediments, describing sources, distribution patterns, and the ecological consequences of MP accumulation in these widely used but understudied freshwater habitats.
Microplastics: Not a Micro Issue
This article presents an overview of microplastic pollution in oceans and lakes, reviewing sources, distribution, ecological impacts, and current research priorities. It emphasizes that microplastic contamination is no longer a minor issue but a serious threat to aquatic ecosystems and potentially to human health.
Microplastics in lakes: Distribution patterns and influencing factors
This review analyzed 84 studies across 64 lakes worldwide to understand where microplastics tend to concentrate in freshwater systems. Microplastic levels were highest near areas of heavy human activity and water inflows, and concentrations in lake sediments have been increasing over time, which matters because lakes are important sources of drinking water.
Freshwater plastic pollution: Recognizing research biases and identifying knowledge gaps
Researchers conducted a bibliometric review of freshwater plastic pollution research and identified major gaps: data from the most polluted Asian rivers is severely underrepresented, submerged macroplastics are almost entirely unstudied, and studies of plastic impacts on freshwater fauna lag far behind comparable marine research — limiting the ability to accurately estimate river-to-ocean plastic flux.
Emerging threats and persistent conservation challenges for freshwater biodiversity
This review provides a comprehensive overview of microplastic pollution in freshwater environments, covering sources, distribution, and ecological impacts in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Researchers found that freshwater microplastic contamination is widespread globally but that standardized sampling and analysis methods are still lacking. The study calls for more consistent research approaches so that contamination levels across different water bodies can be meaningfully compared.
Assessment of potential ecological risk for microplastics in freshwater ecosystems
Researchers assessed the ecological risk of microplastics across freshwater ecosystems worldwide, including rivers and lakes in China, Vietnam, Europe, and South America. While one risk method showed negligible danger, more comprehensive assessment approaches revealed extreme ecological threats at every location studied, suggesting that microplastic pollution in freshwater may be more serious than previously thought.
Microplastics in Polish freshwater ecosystems: Current state of knowledge and research gaps
This review compiled and compared data on microplastic contamination in Polish freshwater ecosystems, analysing 65 aquatic systems (47 lakes, 13 rivers, and others) based on studies published up to 2024 to identify the current state of knowledge and research gaps.
Review of microplastics in lakes: sources, distribution characteristics, and environmental effects
This review analyzes microplastic pollution in lakes worldwide and finds that contamination levels are higher in shallower lakes near populated areas with more human activity. Microplastics accumulate heavily in lake sediments and can also be trapped in seasonal ice, only to be released during warming periods. Since many communities rely on lakes for drinking water and fishing, understanding how microplastics concentrate in these freshwater systems is critical for protecting public health.
Monitoring of microplastic concentrations in 132 Iowa lakes in relation to abiotic, biotic, and anthropogenic factors
Researchers surveyed microplastic concentrations in 132 lakes across Iowa, examining how biological, physical, and human factors influence plastic levels. Lakes near populated areas and with greater human activity showed higher microplastic concentrations, demonstrating that freshwater lakes are broadly contaminated by plastic pollution.
Microplastic contamination, an emerging threat to the freshwater environment: a systematic review
Researchers systematically reviewed the spread of microplastics in freshwater ecosystems — rivers, lakes, and streams — documenting their sources, how they move through water, the damage they cause to aquatic organisms, and the methods used to detect them. Their review serves as a baseline reference for future research and calls for improved waste management to protect freshwater environments from ongoing microplastic contamination.
Microplastics in the Aquatic Environment: Overview of the Problem and Current Research Areas
This review summarizes the current state of microplastic research in aquatic environments, covering sources, distribution, ecological impacts, and knowledge gaps. The paper identifies priority research areas needed to better understand and manage microplastic contamination in water bodies.