Papers

61,005 results
|
Article Tier 2

Spatial–Temporal and Risk Assessment of Microplastics in the Surface Water of the Qinhuai River during Different Rainfall Seasons in Nanjing City, China

Researchers conducted a spatial-temporal analysis of microplastic contamination and risk in a river system across multiple seasons and sites, finding that concentrations varied significantly with location and time of year. Urban and industrial zones showed the highest microplastic loads and associated ecological risk.

2024 Water 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence, stability and source identification of small size microplastics in the Jiayan reservoir, China

Microplastics across a full size range were found in a Chinese reservoir, with small-sized particles (less than 300 micrometers) dominating and showing seasonal variation linked to rainfall and runoff, highlighting reservoirs as underappreciated sinks and sources of fine microplastic pollution.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 50 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2022 Water Research 161 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatiotemporal and vertical distribution characteristics and ecological risks of microplastics in typical shallow lakes in northern China

Researchers studied how microplastics are distributed across water, the viscous sublayer, and sediment layers in Baiyangdian, a shallow lake in northern China, during both wet and dry seasons. They found that microplastic abundance was highest in residential areas and that the vertical distribution pattern reversed between seasons. The study highlights that seasonal water level changes significantly affect where microplastics accumulate in shallow lake ecosystems.

2025 Environmental Pollution 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Impacts of rainfall and lakeshore soil properties on microplastics in inland freshwater: A case study in Donghu Lake, China

Microplastic pollution in Donghu Lake, the largest urban freshwater lake in China, was investigated to examine how rainfall and lakeshore soil properties influence microplastic occurrence independent of direct human activities. Baseline microplastic abundance was 5.84 items per liter, with rainfall events significantly increasing concentrations by washing particles from surrounding soils.

2024 Environmental Science Processes & Impacts 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of microplastics in surface water of typical shallow lake in the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River: A case study of Lake Baoan, Hubei Province

A seasonal sampling campaign at Lake Baoan, a shallow Yangtze River basin lake in China, found an average microplastic abundance of about 16 particles per litre in surface water, with fibers making up 40% of particles and polyethylene the dominant polymer. Microplastic concentrations peaked in winter and were lowest in summer, but showed no significant correlation with conventional water-quality indicators — suggesting that standard water-quality monitoring will miss microplastic contamination.

2024 Journal of Lake Sciences 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial distribution and vertical characteristics of microplastics in the urban river: The case of Qinhuai River in Nanjing, China

Researchers investigated the spatial distribution and vertical characteristics of microplastics in the Qinhuai River in Nanjing, China. The study found an average concentration of about 668 microplastic items per liter, with abundance patterns varying between surface and deep water at different points along the river, and identified correlations between microplastic presence and shifts in microbial community structure.

2024 Marine Pollution Bulletin 16 citations
Article Tier 2

Seasonal variations in the abundance and distribution of microplastic particles in the surface waters of a Southern Indian Lake

Researchers documented seasonal variations in microplastic abundance in a southern Indian lake, finding higher concentrations during monsoon season due to stormwater runoff, with fibers and fragments as the dominant particle types linked to nearby urban and agricultural activities.

2022 Chemosphere 128 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Sediment and Surface Water of West Dongting Lake and South Dongting Lake: Abundance, Source and Composition

Microplastics were found in both surface water and sediments of West Dongting Lake and South Dongting Lake in China, with fibers and fragments as the dominant types and concentrations influenced by proximity to urban and agricultural land use. The study provides the first data on microplastic contamination in China's second-largest freshwater lake system.

2018 International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 204 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial and temporal distributions of microplastics and their macroscopic relationship with algal blooms in Chaohu Lake, China

Researchers examined the spatial and temporal distribution of microplastics in Chaohu Lake, China during wet and dry seasons, finding average concentrations of 2,133 particles per cubic meter in the dry season and 1,679 in the wet season. At a macroscopic level, microplastic distribution patterns correlated with algal bloom density, nutrient levels, and population distribution.

2022 Journal of Contaminant Hydrology 63 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution of the Tamsui River and its tributaries in northern Taiwan: Spatial heterogeneity and correlation with precipitation

Researchers investigated microplastic pollution in the Tamsui River and its tributaries in northern Taiwan, collecting samples over three months. They found microplastics in every sample, with concentrations varying widely between rivers, from 2.5 to 83.7 particles per cubic meter. The study found a positive correlation between rainfall and microplastic abundance, suggesting that precipitation washes plastic debris from land into waterways.

2020 Environmental Pollution 201 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial and Temporal Distribution Characteristics and Potential Sources of Microplastic Pollution in China’s Freshwater Environments

Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution across freshwater environments in 21 major Chinese cities and found an average concentration of about 3,500 particles per cubic meter. The most common types were fibers, and concentrations generally increased from western to eastern China, closely tracking levels of human activity. The study found that microplastic abundance peaked in summer, likely driven by increased rainfall washing particles into waterways.

2024 Water 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Seasonal influence on pollution index and risk of multiple compositions of microplastics in an urban river

A seasonal study of microplastics in an urban river in China found higher abundance in the dry season (183 items per square meter) compared to the wet season (102 items per square meter). Risk assessment indicated that fibers and small fragments posed the greatest ecological risk, with polymer-specific hazard quotients varying by season.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 47 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution Characteristics and Source Analysis of Microplastics in Urban Freshwater Lakes: A Case Study in Songshan Lake of Dongguan, China

Researchers found microplastics in both surface water and sediments of Songshan Lake, an urban freshwater lake in China, identifying fiber shapes as dominant and using principal component analysis to trace sources including atmospheric deposition, runoff, and recreational activities.

2022 Water 30 citations
Article Tier 2

Seasonal variation and ecological risk assessment of microplastics ingested by economic fishes in Lake Chaohu, China

Researchers examined seasonal variation in microplastic concentrations in economic fish species from Lake Chaohu, China, finding differences between wet and dry seasons and assessing the ecological risk of microplastic contamination in freshwater fisheries.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 26 citations
Article Tier 2

Unmasking Microplastic Pollution: A Study on the Distribution and Impact of Microplastics in Yuehai Lake, China

This study surveyed microplastic characteristics and distribution across water samples from Yuehai Lake in China, finding widespread contamination with fragments and fibers, and identifying local anthropogenic activities and atmospheric deposition as primary sources.

2025 Science Letters
Article Tier 2

Spatial–Temporal Distribution and Ecological Risk Assessment of Microplastics in the Shiwuli River

Researchers mapped the spatial and temporal distribution of microplastics in water and sediment of the Shiwuli River, an urban river in Hefei, China, across flood and non-flood seasons. Microplastic concentrations were higher during flood season and at downstream sites influenced by urban runoff and wastewater. Ecological risk assessment indicated moderate to high polymer-related risks, pointing to urban rivers as significant sources of microplastic pollution that require targeted management.

2023 Water 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution and characteristics of microplastics in the sediments of Poyang Lake, China

Researchers found microplastic contamination in sediments across Poyang Lake, China, with abundances ranging from 11 to 3,153 items per kilogram dry weight, and identified significant spatial variability linked to human activity and hydrological conditions.

2019 Water Science & Technology 102 citations
Article Tier 2

Investigation on microplastic pollution of Dongting Lake and its affiliated rivers

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in Dongting Lake and its affiliated rivers in China, collecting 15 surface water and 15 sediment samples from across the lake district and finding microplastic abundances of 0.62-4.31 items/m3 in water and 21-52 items/100 g dry weight in sediments. Fibers dominated and the results indicate the lake system is a significant microplastic sink fed by surrounding river networks.

2020 Marine Pollution Bulletin 113 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial Distribution of Microplastics in Water and Sediments of Main Rivers in Taihu Lake Basin

Microplastic abundance in water and sediments of 15 major inlet rivers to Taihu Lake in China was investigated, finding fibrous microplastics dominated and all three river types had a medium to high environmental risk rating, with navigable rivers showing the highest microplastic abundance.

2023 ACS ES&T Water 18 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2022 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 46 citations
Article Tier 2

Temporal and Spatial Distribution Characteristics of Microplastics and Their Influencing Factors in the Lincheng River, Zhoushan City, China

Researchers analyzed temporal and spatial distribution patterns of microplastics in the Lincheng River in Zhoushan, China, finding that microplastic abundance is influenced by seasonal runoff, land use, and proximity to urban and industrial sources before entering the ocean.

2023 Processes 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution and sedimentation of microplastics in Taihu Lake

Researchers surveyed microplastic abundance in water, sediment, and inflowing rivers of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, finding widespread contamination with fibers as the dominant type and higher concentrations near urban and agricultural shorelines.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 142 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in Taihu Lake: Spatial distribution from the lake inlet to the lake centre and vertical stratification in the water column

Researchers mapped microplastic distribution in Taihu Lake from the inlet to the center and at different water depths. They found that concentrations were highest near the inlet and decreased toward the lake center, while vertical distribution showed accumulation patterns influenced by water movement and particle density. The study improves understanding of how microplastics move and settle within large freshwater lake systems.

2024 Environmental Pollution 21 citations