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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Influence of Urbanization and Seasonality on Microplastics in a Small Brazilian Inland Stream
ClearHigh abundances of microplastics in a tropical urban stream, negatively related to precipitation.
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in an urban tropical stream over nine months and found very high levels, inversely correlated with rainfall — more rain diluted particle concentrations. The stream drained commercial and residential areas, reflecting the high plastic waste burden of urban environments in tropical regions. These findings suggest urban streams are important but understudied conduits for microplastics to enter larger water bodies.
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.
Effect of urbanization and water quality on microplastic distribution in Conceição Lagoon watershed, Brazil
A study of a Brazilian lagoon watershed found that urbanization significantly degraded water quality but did not clearly increase microplastic concentrations in tributary streams. Microplastic levels in the lagoon itself were correlated with indicators of wastewater discharge, and wind and rainfall influenced their distribution.
Distribuição longitudinal, vertical e temporal de microplásticos no Igarapé do Mindu em Manaus, Amazonas
Researchers analyzed longitudinal, vertical, and temporal distribution of microplastics in the Mindu stream in Manaus, Brazil, finding that urban concentration, stream hydrodynamics, and riparian vegetation all influence microplastic contamination patterns in this Amazonian freshwater system.
Effect of urbanization and water quality on microplastic distribution in Conceição Lagoon watershed, Brazil
Researchers assessed microplastic distribution across urbanized and non-urbanized tributaries of Conceicao Lagoon watershed in Brazil. The study found that while urbanization significantly affected water quality parameters, it did not always correspond to higher microplastic concentrations. Evidence indicates that microplastic pollution in freshwater systems is influenced by multiple factors beyond urbanization alone, complicating simple predictions about contamination patterns.
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.
Environmental fate of microplastics in an urban river: Spatial distribution and seasonal variation
Researchers investigated microplastic distribution along an urban river in Guangzhou, China, finding that abundance increased from upstream to midstream and decreased toward the estuary, with seasonal variation linked to rainfall and human activity patterns.
Dynamics of microplastics in urban rivers under varying hydrological regimes
Monitoring of urban rivers showed that microplastic concentrations fluctuate significantly with varying hydrological conditions such as storm events and seasonal flow changes. Understanding these dynamics is essential for accurately characterizing the river microplastic load and its variability over time.
Interactive effect of urbanization and flood in modulating microplastic pollution in rivers
Researchers sampled the Garonne River upstream and downstream of a large urban area during flood events and found that microplastic concentrations increased 5 to 8 fold during floods. The study suggests that urbanization significantly modulates freshwater microplastic pollution during flood episodes, with downstream urban sites showing greater changes in microplastic composition and degradation levels.
Spatiotemporal variation in microplastic contamination along a subtropical reservoir shoreline
Researchers tracked microplastic contamination along the shoreline of a subtropical reservoir over two years and found that microplastic abundance was higher near urban areas and varied with season, with storm-related inputs creating significant temporal spikes.
Microplastic contamination in urban aquatic environments: Occurrence characteristics in urban streams and stormwater runoff from urban surfaces
Researchers examined microplastic contamination in urban streams and stormwater runoff across different seasons and found that wastewater treatment plant discharges were a major source during dry weather. During rainy periods, stormwater runoff from roads and rooftops contributed additional microplastics, predominantly fibers and fragments. The study highlights that urban water systems receive microplastic pollution from multiple pathways year-round.
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.
Microplastic pollution in streams spanning an urbanisation gradient
Researchers sampled microplastics in small streams across an urbanization gradient and found contamination at all sites, with concentrations comparable to those in larger rivers and lakes. Fragments and small particles between 63 and 500 micrometers were the most common forms detected. Surprisingly, catchment-scale factors like population density and stormwater overflows did not predict microplastic levels well, suggesting that local-scale sources may be more important for pollution in small streams.
Inter-event and intra-event dynamics of microplastic emissions in an urban river during rainfall episodes
Researchers conducted high-frequency sampling of microplastics in a Japanese urban river during three different rainfall events to understand how storms mobilize plastic pollution. They found that rainfall events increased microplastic loads by 4 to 110 times compared to dry weather, with smaller particles mobilizing first during lighter rains and larger particles surging after peak rainfall intensity. The study reveals that storm dynamics play a critical role in determining when and how microplastics are flushed from urban areas into waterways.
Abundance and variation of microplastics between seasons in a tropical estuary: The case of Can Gio estuary, Vietnam
Researchers assessed seasonal variation in microplastic abundance and characteristics in the Can Gio estuary, Vietnam, across wet and dry seasons. Microplastic concentrations were higher during the wet season, with seasonal plastic transport linked to river discharge and rainfall-driven inputs from upstream urban sources.
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.
Effects of urbanisation and a wastewater treatment plant on microplastic densities along a subtropical river system
Researchers quantified microplastic pollution in sediments along a subtropical river system in southern Africa and examined how urbanization and wastewater treatment affect contamination levels. They found that microplastic densities were highest near urban areas and downstream of wastewater treatment plants. The study suggests that urban development and inadequate wastewater infrastructure are key drivers of freshwater microplastic pollution in the region.
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.
Assessment of microplastic transport and distribution in the urban environment of Coimbra municipality
Researchers tracked microplastic transport and distribution across five urban watersheds in Coimbra, Portugal, sampling atmospheric deposition, runoff, and streams before and during rainfall. Wet deposition carried more MPs than dry deposition, stream concentrations nearly doubled during rain events, and more urbanized, smaller watersheds had higher MP loads.
The influence of flow on the amount, retention and loss of plastic pollution in an urban river
Researchers sampled both microplastics and macroplastics at four sites along an urban river in Ontario, Canada during normal flow and storm conditions. The study found that storm events significantly influence plastic transport dynamics, with flow conditions affecting how much plastic pollution is retained in or flushed through urban river systems toward downstream water bodies.
Microplastic emission characteristics of stormwater runoff in an urban area: Intra-event variability and influencing factors
Researchers found that stormwater runoff from both industrial and residential urban catchments contained substantial microplastics (54–639 particles per liter), with polypropylene and polyethylene dominating, and that microplastic concentrations peaked early in rain events following longer dry periods.
Anthropogenic Litter in Urban Freshwater Ecosystems: Distribution and Microbial Interactions
Researchers quantified anthropogenic litter in urban rivers and streams and found that microplastics dominated by mass and particle count compared to macroplastic items. The study highlights urban freshwater systems as major conduits for plastic pollution moving toward marine environments and documents distinct microbial communities on plastic surfaces.
Spatial and temporal variability in in-stream microplastic loads can impact downstream plastic export
This study demonstrated that microplastic loads in streams show significant spatial and temporal variability driven by storm events and seasonal patterns, and that these dynamics can strongly influence the total plastic export from river systems to downstream waters.
Urbanization and hydrological conditions drive the spatial and temporal variability of microplastic pollution in the Garonne River
Researchers quantified microplastic concentrations across 14 sites in the Garonne River catchment in France, finding that urbanization drives spatial variation while seasonal hydrology shapes temporal patterns—with higher concentrations and smaller particles in warm, low-flow periods—and polyethylene, polystyrene, and polypropylene dominating polymer composition.