Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Microplastics in urban water systems, Tehran Metropolitan, Iran

Researchers investigated microplastic contamination across Tehran's urban water systems, including runoff, drinking water, groundwater, rivers, and wastewater effluent. They found microplastics present in all parts of the system, with residential and commercial runoff showing the highest concentrations. The study revealed that different land use types influenced the amount and characteristics of microplastic pollution, suggesting that urbanization patterns play a significant role in water contamination.

2024 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in sediments in the urban section of the Qara Su River, Iran

Researchers sampled 15 sites along the Qara Su River in Iran and found microplastics in all sediment samples, with fibers making up 53% of particles and 92% of pieces smaller than 5 millimeters — the first microplastic survey of this river and a sign that urban wastewater treatment is not removing these pollutants effectively.

2022 Applied Water Science 16 citations
Article Tier 2

Effect of land use on microplastic pollution in a major boundary waterway: The Arvand River

Researchers conducted the first assessment of microplastic pollution in Iran's Arvand River, finding contamination levels varied with adjacent land use, with higher concentrations near urban and industrial areas in both water and sediment samples.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 84 citations
Article Tier 2

The occurrence and distribution of microplastic contamination in Qara-sou river, Iran: incidence, quantification, and qualification

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination along a 100 km stretch of the Qara-sou River in Iran, finding average concentrations of approximately 23,666 items per cubic meter, with fibers (78%) and small particles (0.025-1 mm) dominating the pollution profile.

2023 International Journal of Environmental Health Research 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and characteristics of microplastics in surface water and sediment of Zayandeh-rud river, Iran

This study surveyed microplastic pollution in the Zayandeh-rud River, the most important river in central Iran, sampling both water and sediment at 19 locations. Researchers found microplastics at every site, with fibers being the most common shape and concentrations higher in sediment than in surface water. Areas near urban centers and industrial zones showed the highest contamination levels, pointing to human activity as a major source.

2023 Environmental Health Engineering and Management 15 citations
Article Tier 2

Municipal Wastewater Efluent as a Source of Microplastic Pollution Crisis in the Qarasu River Water, Ardabil Province, Iran

Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in the Qarasu River, Ardabil Province, Iran, collecting water samples from five stations along the river corridor that receives municipal wastewater discharge, and analyzing particles via density separation, stereomicroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The study characterized the types and concentrations of microplastics present, identifying municipal wastewater effluent as the primary pollution source.

2022 Health in Emergencies & Disasters Quarterly 3 citations
Article Tier 2

First evidence of microplastics in a freshwater river and their relationship to water quality

Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in a freshwater river used for recreational purposes and found a significant relationship between microplastic abundance and water physicochemical quality parameters, along with the presence of three organic compounds, providing evidence that microplastic pollution and water quality are closely linked.

2025 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
Article Tier 2

Sedimentary abundance and major determinants of river microplastic contamination in the central arid part of Iran

A river in central Iran showed a sharp downstream gradient of microplastic contamination in sediments, with levels near a major wastewater treatment plant far exceeding upstream concentrations. Machine learning analysis identified human population density — the number of local residents and tourists — as the strongest predictor of microplastic levels, outperforming factors like sediment chemistry or river geometry. The results point to consumer plastic use and inadequate waste disposal as the dominant drivers of river microplastic pollution in arid urban regions, with practical implications for targeted management interventions.

2023 Applied Water Science 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Identification of microplastics in conventional drinking water treatment plants in Tehran, Iran

Researchers identified microplastics in three conventional drinking water treatment plants in Tehran, Iran, finding that standard treatment processes do not fully eliminate particles down to 1 micron in size, raising concerns about microplastic exposure through tap water.

2021 Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering 49 citations
Article Tier 2

Source tracking microplastics pollution from Qarasu basin rivers to Gorgan Bay, Caspian Sea

Researchers tracked microplastic pollution from eight rivers in the Qarasu basin, Iran, to Gorgan Bay in the Caspian Sea across forest, residential, and agricultural land uses, finding MPs in 87% of fish sampled across nine species and identifying residential land use as a primary driver of elevated microplastic concentrations.

2022
Article Tier 2

Distribution of microplastics in upstream and downstream surface waters of the Iranian rivers discharging to the southern Caspian Sea

This study mapped the spatial and seasonal distribution of microplastics in surface waters of 13 rivers discharging into the Caspian Sea in Iran, providing baseline contamination data for a region previously lacking systematic microplastic monitoring.

2023 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 23 citations
Article Tier 2

Data on the microplastics contamination in water and sediments along the Haraz River estuary, Iran

This study measured microplastic contamination in water and sediment along the Haraz River estuary in Iran, documenting the types, shapes, and polymer compositions of particles present. The data provide a baseline for understanding plastic pollution in Iranian river systems.

2020 Data in Brief 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Investigation of microplastic pollution in Torghabeh River sediments, northeast of Iran

Researchers investigated microplastic pollution in sediments of the Torghabeh River in northeast Iran. The study found an average concentration of 8 particles per 100 grams of dry sediment, with polystyrene being the most abundant polymer, and areas with greater human activity showing higher levels of microplastic contamination.

2022 Journal of Contaminant Hydrology 46 citations
Article Tier 2

Qualitative and Quantitative Analyses of Microplastics in Tap Water Supply Network in Iran

Researchers analyzed tap water samples from the drinking water distribution system in Isfahan, Iran, and found microplastics present in all samples tested. The most common types were fibers made of polyethylene and polypropylene, with concentrations varying across different points in the distribution network. The study estimates human microplastic exposure from tap water consumption in the region and highlights the need for improved water treatment to address this emerging contaminant.

2024 Health Scope 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Evaluation of pollution caused by microplastics particles in municipal wastewater and sewage sludge (Case study: Al-Ghadir town, Kerman)

Researchers evaluated microplastic contamination in municipal wastewater and sewage sludge at a treatment plant in Kerman, Iran, collecting 36 paired wastewater and sediment samples monthly at approximately 30 liters per sample. The study characterized microplastic frequency, morphology, and composition across influent and effluent streams, identifying the plant as a significant microplastic discharge point.

2022
Article Tier 2

Abundance, Distribution and Drivers of Microplastic Contaminant in Urban River Environments

Researchers surveyed microplastic distribution in urban river environments and identified key drivers of accumulation hotspots, finding that land use, hydrology, and infrastructure factors concentrated microplastics at predictable locations that could inform targeted management interventions.

2018 Preprints.org 38 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence, identification, and discharge of microplastics from effluent and sludge of the largest WWTP in Iran—South of Tehran

Researchers quantified microplastics in Iran's largest wastewater treatment plant and found significant concentrations in both effluent and sludge, identifying the facility as a pathway for microplastic release into the environment despite treatment processes.

2022 Water Environment Research 24 citations
Article Tier 2

Comparison of microplastic abundance and characteristics in rural rivers : Hamada River, Japan and Mlese River, Indonesia

Researchers compared microplastic abundance and characteristics between rural rivers in Hamadan Province, Iran, measuring particle concentrations, types, and seasonal variation. Urban agricultural activities were identified as major sources, with fiber microplastics dominating.

2024 IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Tracking microplastics contamination in drinking water in Zahedan, Iran: From source to consumption taps

Researchers tracked microplastic contamination through the entire drinking water system in Zahedan, Iran, from raw water sources to household taps. While water treatment plants removed 64-75% of microplastics, tap water actually contained more microplastics than the treated water, likely due to contamination from pipes and plumbing. Children were estimated to consume more microplastics per body weight than adults, highlighting concerns about drinking water as a source of microplastic exposure.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 71 citations
Article Tier 2

Characteristics, Contamination Levels, and Ecosystem Risk Assessment of Microplastics in Surface Water of a Highly Urbanized River from a Developing Country

Researchers characterized microplastic contamination in an urban river near a megacity in a developing country, finding concentrations of 350 to 660 particles per cubic meter of water. Polyethylene and polypropylene from household and municipal waste were the most common types, and a risk assessment found concerning contamination levels at several sampling sites. The study highlights how rivers in developing nations can serve as major pathways for microplastics to reach the ocean and enter the food chain.

2024 ACS Omega 14 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in surface sediments of a highly urbanized wetland

Researchers found microplastic contamination throughout the sediments of Anzali Wetland in Iran, with levels highest near a heavily urbanized river outlet and areas of intense tourism and fishing, and fibers comprising 80% of all detected particles.

2022 Environmental Pollution 34 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution and abundance of microplastics in urban and industrial wastewater treatment plants in Tabriz metropolis

Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in two urban and five industrial wastewater treatment plants in Tabriz, Iran, a city of 1.6 million people. Urban treatment plants removed less than 10% of microplastics, while industrial plants showed somewhat better removal rates. The study found that existing wastewater treatment infrastructure is largely ineffective at filtering out microplastics, meaning significant quantities are being released into surface waters.

2025 Scientific Reports 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence of microplastic pollution in rivers globally: Driving factors of distribution and ecological risk assessment

Researchers constructed a global dataset of microplastic pollution across 862 river water and 445 sediment samples, identifying population density, GDP, and plastic waste generation as key driving factors of riverine microplastic distribution and ecological risk.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 43 citations
Article Tier 2

An unintended challenge of microplastic pollution in the urban surface water system of Lahore, Pakistan

Researchers conducted the first investigation of microplastic pollution in the urban freshwater systems of Lahore, Pakistan, sampling surface water and sediments from drains and canals of the Ravi River and finding highest microplastic concentrations in heavily polluted sullage carriers.

2020 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 104 citations