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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Children's playgrounds contain more microplastics than other areas in urban parks
ClearParks and Recreational Areas as Sinks of Plastic Debris in Urban Sites: The Case of Light-Density Microplastics in the City of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Researchers found that parks and recreational areas in Amsterdam act as significant sinks for light-density microplastics, with artificial turf infill, tire rubber, and film fragments as dominant types, suggesting urban green spaces accumulate substantial plastic pollution from recreational and maintenance activities.
Microplastic pollution in soil: a case-study from the Raffaele Viviani public park in Naples, Italy
This field study characterized microplastic contamination in soil samples from a public park in Naples, Italy, finding diverse polymer types at concentrations indicating that urban green spaces accumulate significant microplastic loads from atmospheric deposition and visitor activity.
Temporal and spatial distribution of microplastics in green infrastructures: Rain gardens
Researchers measured temporal and spatial distribution of microplastics in green areas including parks and urban forests, finding particles across all sampled sites with concentration patterns influenced by proximity to roads, human activity, and atmospheric deposition. The results indicate that even urban green spaces are not free from microplastic contamination.
Characterization of Microplastics and Associated Heavy Metals in Urban Soils Affected by Anthropogenic Littering: Distribution, Spatial Variation, and Influence of Soil Properties
Researchers sampled soils across residential, commercial, and industrial land-use types in urban areas and found microplastics in every location, with polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyamide as the dominant polymer types, at concentrations up to 850,000 particles per kilogram. Heavy metals were also associated with the plastic particles, meaning microplastics in urban soil may serve as combined carriers of chemical toxicants. The findings highlight urban soil as a major but underappreciated reservoir of microplastic pollution.
Factors affecting microplastic pollution of sandboxes in urban residential areas: Simple methodology for quality control in the context of potential exposure assessment for children
Researchers conducted pioneering research on microplastic pollution in children's sandboxes across three urban residential areas in Kielce, Poland. They found microplastics in every sample tested, ranging from 60 to 5,540 items per kilogram of sand, with a strong correlation between microplastic levels and sandbox elevation above sea level.
Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in the surface water and sediment of parks in Xi'an city, Northwest China
Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in urban park water bodies and sediments across Xi'an city, finding concentrations of 2,900-6,970 items per cubic meter in surface water, with distribution patterns linked to surrounding urban land use functions.
Microplastics in Urban Soils From Different Land Use Activities of Cyberjaya (Malaysia): Exploring Occurrence, Relationships, Sources and Pollution Level
Researchers surveyed urban soils across five different land uses in Cyberjaya, Malaysia, and found microplastics in all of them, with construction areas showing the highest concentrations. The types of plastic particles varied by location, suggesting that the sources and characteristics of soil microplastic contamination depend on what activities take place in that area.
Global concentrations of microplastic in soils, a review
This global review synthesized data from studies on microplastic concentrations in soils worldwide, finding contamination across diverse terrestrial environments with higher levels near urban areas and agricultural land. Terrestrial soils are estimated to contain far more microplastic than the world's oceans, making them a critical but understudied reservoir of plastic pollution.
Urban soil microplastic characterization across diverse land use types along the Anyangcheon stream in Seoul, Korea
Researchers characterized microplastic contamination in urban soils along the Anyangcheon stream in Seoul, South Korea, across three different land-use types. They found microplastics at all sampling locations, with variations in abundance and polymer composition between high schools, park playgrounds, and residential areas. The study provides new data on the spatial distribution of soil microplastics in densely populated urban settings and their potential relationship to nearby waterways.
Urban Microplastic Pollution Revealed by a Large-Scale Wetland Soil Survey
Researchers conducted a large-scale survey of wetland soils across an urban area and found an average of 379 microplastic particles per kilogram, with abundance closely linked to proximity to the city's economic center. Polypropylene was the most common polymer type, and fiber and fragment shapes dominated the samples. The study found that atmospheric particle pollution and heavy metal concentrations in soil were strongly correlated with microplastic levels, suggesting shared urban pollution sources.
An Examination of Microplastic Pollution in Protected Areas from Outdoor Recreation
Microplastics were found in soils from protected natural areas frequently visited by outdoor recreationists, suggesting that even conservation lands and wilderness parks are not insulated from plastic pollution carried in by human visitors.
The spatial distribution of microplastics in topsoils of an urban environment - Coimbra city case-study
Researchers mapped microplastic contamination across urban soils in Coimbra, Portugal, comparing samples from parks, roadsides, and other land uses. They found microplastics in all soil samples, with higher concentrations in areas with more human activity and artificial surfaces. The study demonstrates that urban soils are significant reservoirs of microplastic pollution and that land use patterns strongly influence contamination levels.
Distribution patterns and environmental risk assessments of microplastics in the lake waters and sediments from eight typical wetland parks in Changsha city, China
Researchers measured microplastic contamination in water and sediments from eight urban wetland parks in Changsha, China, finding plastics in every location sampled. The most common types were fibers and fragments made of polyethylene and polypropylene, likely coming from nearby urban activities. The study highlights that even recreational green spaces in cities are affected by microplastic pollution, which could impact the water quality that local residents interact with.
Low-Density Microplastics in Recreational Parks of Al Ain, United Arab Emirates: Abundance, Composition, and Potential Effects on Soil Health
Researchers collected soil samples from recreational parks in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates and found varying levels of low-density microplastics caused by activities such as sludge application and use of reclaimed wastewater. The most common types were fibers and fragments made of polyethylene and polypropylene. The study suggests that urban recreational parks serve as accumulation sites for microplastic debris, raising concerns about soil health and the potential for human exposure in public spaces.
Co-occurrence of macroplastics, microplastics, and legacy and emerging plasticisers in UK soils
Researchers documented the co-occurrence of macroplastics, microplastics, and both legacy and emerging plasticizers in UK soils across various land uses, establishing empirical links between plastic debris and chemical plasticizer contamination in terrestrial environments.
Microplastics Build-Up in Soils- Spatial Distribution Patterns across different Land uses and Associated Health Risks
Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination across multiple land-use types and found that greenhouse soils and residential areas had the highest concentrations, reaching up to 4,500 particles per kilogram. The study estimated that infants could face roughly 20 times higher daily microplastic intake than adults in heavily contaminated areas. The findings highlight the widespread variability of soil microplastic pollution and its potential health implications, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Distribution of Microplastics in an Urban Soil:The Case of a Medium-Sized Cityin the Central Valley of Chile
Researchers systematically sampled soils across an entire Chilean city and found microplastics at 95% of sampling sites, with plastic fibers making up 68% of the particles detected. The near-universal contamination signals that urban soils are a widespread and underappreciated reservoir of microplastic pollution.
Distribution of microplastics in soil by types of land use in metropolitan area of Seoul
Researchers collected soil samples from five types of land in Seoul — farms, roadsides, residential areas, parks, and forests — and found microplastics in all of them, with agricultural land and roadsides showing the highest concentrations. Common plastic types included polyethylene and polypropylene, highlighting how everyday land use spreads microplastic contamination even far from obvious pollution sources.
Microplastic Pollution in Residential Soils
Researchers collected surface soil from three residential density zones in Surabaya, Indonesia, and characterized microplastics by abundance, shape, color, and polymer type. Microplastics were present in all samples, with concentrations higher in denser residential areas, likely reflecting greater per-capita plastic use and outdoor plastic degradation.
Microplastic pollution in terrestrial environment: Identification, characterization, and risk assessment in Indore, Central India
Researchers measured microplastic contamination in soil from agricultural and recreational areas in Indore, India. Recreational sites had about six times more microplastic particles than farmland, with most particles made of common plastics like PET and polypropylene. While the ecological risk was rated low for now, the long-term buildup of these particles in soil could eventually pose threats to crops and the food chain.
Microplastic pollution in urban green-belt soil in Shihezi City, China
Researchers found microplastic concentrations ranging from 287 to 3,227 particles per kilogram in urban green-belt soils in Shihezi City, China, with fibers dominating and polystyrene and polyethylene as the primary polymer types, pointing to atmospheric deposition and road runoff as key sources.
First comprehensive assessment of microplastics in urban street dust of Eastern Saudi Arabia: abundance, traits, and health risks
Researchers conducted the first comprehensive assessment of microplastic contamination in street dust from two major cities in eastern Saudi Arabia. Microplastics were found in all 58 sampling sites, with polyethylene, PET, and polypropylene being the most abundant polymers, alongside concerning levels of high-toxicity polymers like PVC and polystyrene. The study found that children face substantially higher estimated daily microplastic intake than adults, particularly in residential and recreational areas.
First national reference of microplastic contamination of French soils
Researchers established the first nationwide reference data for microplastic contamination in French soils by analyzing 33 samples from diverse land uses across the country. They found microplastics in virtually all samples, with agricultural and urban soils showing the highest concentrations, and identified polyethylene and polypropylene as the most common polymer types. The study provides an important baseline for tracking future soil contamination trends in France.
Abundance and Characteristics of Microplastics in the Soil of a Higher Education Institution in China
Researchers quantified microplastics in soil across a Chinese university campus, finding contamination in teaching, recreational, and residential areas, highlighting the understudied exposure risk at higher education institutions.