Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Existence of microplastics in soil and groundwater in Jiaodong Peninsula

Researchers found microplastics in both soil and groundwater samples from a Chinese coastal region, with fibers dominant in groundwater and fragments dominant in soils. The discovery of microplastics in groundwater raises concerns about plastic contamination of drinking water aquifers in agricultural areas.

2021 E3S Web of Conferences 16 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics contamination in groundwater of a drinking-water source area, northern China

Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in shallow groundwater from a major drinking-water source area in northern China. The study found microplastics present in groundwater samples, with their abundance, morphology, and chemical composition varying across the study area and correlating with nearby human activities.

2022 Environmental Research 56 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence, sources, and ecological risk of microplastics in groundwater: Impacts by agricultural activities and atmospheric deposition

Researchers measured microplastic levels in groundwater beneath Shanghai and found concentrations ranging from 3 to 99 particles per liter, with agricultural activity and atmospheric deposition identified as primary sources. The study used multiple risk indices to show that some areas had concerning levels of contamination. Since groundwater is a major drinking water source for many communities, this finding highlights a direct pathway for microplastic exposure in humans.

2025 Water Research 24 citations
Article Tier 2

Seasonal dynamics and typology of microplastic pollution in Huixian karst wetland groundwater: Implications for ecosystem health

Researchers tracked microplastic levels in groundwater beneath a karst wetland in China across seasons, finding contamination ranging from about 1 to 49 particles per liter. The unique cave-and-underground-river geology of karst regions allows microplastics to migrate from the surface into groundwater more easily than in other terrains, with agricultural runoff and domestic wastewater identified as the main pollution sources.

2024 Journal of Environmental Management 22 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in groundwater: a global analysis

Researchers conducted a global groundwater sampling study to characterize microplastic contamination in aquifer systems worldwide, investigating transport mechanisms and fate of particles in anoxic subsurface environments where knowledge gaps remain despite extensive research on surface water systems.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Abundance, spatial distribution, and characteristics of microplastics in agricultural soils and their relationship with contributing factors

Researchers found microplastic concentrations of 2,800 to 82,500 particles per kilogram in agricultural soils of Hainan Island, China, with plastic mulching, farming practices, and environmental factors all contributing to spatial variation in contamination levels.

2022 Journal of Environmental Management 88 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics Pollution in the Groundwater of Three Land Use Types, Southeastern Hungary

Researchers investigated microplastic pollution in groundwater across three land use types in southeastern Hungary, providing data on the rate and distribution of microplastic contamination in a freshwater resource that has received far less study than surface water bodies.

2025 Sokoto Journal of Geographical Studies
Article Tier 2

Contamination, morphological and chemical characterization, and hazard risk analyses of microplastics in drinking water sourced from groundwater in a developing nation

Researchers analyzed groundwater from six coastal districts in a developing nation and found widespread microplastic contamination, with fibers and fragments of polyethylene and polypropylene being the most common types. Since groundwater is the primary drinking water source in many developing countries, this contamination represents a direct pathway for microplastic ingestion by millions of people.

2024 Frontiers in Environmental Science 20 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial Distributions, Compositional Profiles, Potential Sources, and Intfluencing Factors of Microplastics in Soils from Different Agricultural Farmlands in China: A National Perspective

Researchers conducted a nationwide survey of microplastics in Chinese agricultural soils, collecting 477 samples from 109 cities across 31 regions, and identified spatial distribution patterns and key factors influencing farmland microplastic contamination.

2022 Environmental Science & Technology 130 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in the groundwater under a bedrock island in the South China sea

This is the first study to examine microplastic pollution in groundwater beneath a small island in the South China Sea, finding 34 to 64 particles per liter despite minimal industrial activity. Over 80% of the microplastics were polyester fibers originating from the island's own plastic waste rather than from the surrounding ocean. The findings are significant because they show that even remote island groundwater, often the only drinking water source for island communities, is contaminated with microplastics.

2023 Environmental Research 40 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and Sources of Microplastics in groundwater divided by well depth and Hydrogeology in South Korea

Researchers investigated microplastic occurrence in South Korean groundwater stratified by well depth and hydrogeological setting, finding microplastics in wells across all depths and identifying surface connectivity as a key factor controlling contamination levels.

2024
Article Tier 2

A threat beneath the surface: Microplastic contamination in the groundwater of one of Europe's largest wetland complexes

Researchers confirmed microplastic contamination in groundwater samples from one of the world's most populous regions, documenting particle abundance, polymer types, and potential infiltration pathways from surface contamination through soil to subsurface aquifers.

2025 The Science of The Total Environment 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic distribution in monitoring well water in the final landfill area Putri Cempo Surakarta Indonesia

Researchers sampled groundwater from seven monitoring wells around a landfill in Surakarta, Indonesia, finding microplastic concentrations ranging from 320 to 1,960 particles per liter. Polystyrene, polycarbonate, and polypropylene fragments dominated the samples, confirming that landfills are a significant source of microplastic contamination in groundwater that communities depend on for drinking water.

2026 Journal of Ecological Engineering
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

Pollution characteristics and source analysis of microplastics in the Qiantang River in southeastern China

Researchers found that microplastic abundance in the Qiantang River near Hangzhou, China, ranged from 1.5 to 9.4 items per liter, with higher levels during dry periods and concentrations correlated with local GDP and industrial manufacturing activity.

2022 Chemosphere 111 citations
Article Tier 2

Quantitative assessment on the distribution patterns of microplastics in global inland waters

Researchers compiled data from over 5,000 observations across 301 published studies to map microplastic levels in freshwater bodies worldwide, finding concentrations ranging from near zero to 4.3 million particles per cubic meter. Human development, farming activity, and water runoff were the strongest predictors of contamination, with China and parts of Asia showing particularly high levels.

2025 Communications Earth & Environment 14 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in the adjacent environment of Yellow River Delta, China

Researchers assessed microplastic pollution across water, sediment, and soil samples in the Yellow River Delta of China. The study found microplastic concentrations ranging from 0.5 to nearly 8 particles per liter in water and up to 4,200 particles per kilogram in sediments, with polyethylene and polypropylene being the most common polymer types, indicating widespread plastic contamination in this coastal environment.

2024 Marine Pollution Bulletin 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence, distribution, and characteristics of microplastics in agricultural soil around a solid waste treatment center in southeast China

Researchers found microplastic contamination in all agricultural soil samples surrounding a solid waste treatment center in southeastern China, with concentrations up to 2,360 particles per kilogram and evidence that weathered polyethylene and polypropylene particles are accumulating heavy metals on their surfaces.

2022 Journal of Soils and Sediments 29 citations
Article Tier 2

Significant influence of land use types and anthropogenic activities on the distribution of microplastics in soil: A case from a typical mining-agricultural city

Scientists surveyed microplastic pollution across five types of land in a Chinese mining-agricultural city and found the highest levels in greenhouse farmland, with nearly 3,738 particles per kilogram of soil. Agricultural plastic waste, irrigation water, and fertilizers were identified as the main sources of contamination. The study shows that farming practices are major contributors to microplastic buildup in the soil that produces our food.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 54 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in North Yellow Sea, China: Observations on occurrence, distribution and identification

Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution across the North Yellow Sea, documenting their occurrence, distribution, and characteristics, and finding widespread contamination with higher concentrations in coastal areas and near river inputs.

2018 The Science of The Total Environment 412 citations
Article Tier 2

The distribution of microplastics in soil aggregate fractions in southwestern China

Researchers investigated microplastic distribution across different soil types in agricultural and forested areas near a lake in southwestern China and found plastic particles in every sample, with concentrations as high as 42,960 particles per kilogram. Approximately 95% of the particles fell within the microplastic size range, and fibers were the dominant form, likely originating from textiles and agricultural materials. The study demonstrates that microplastic contamination in soils is extensive and varies with land use practices.

2018 The Science of The Total Environment 1282 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

Microplastics in the surface sediments from the Beijiang River littoral zone: Composition, abundance, surface textures and interaction with heavy metals

Researchers characterized microplastics in surface sediments from the Beijiang River in China, finding widespread contamination with characteristics indicating multiple local sources including urban runoff and agricultural activity.

2016 Chemosphere 780 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and spatial distribution of microplastics, and their correlation with petroleum in coastal waters of Hainan Island, China

Researchers investigated microplastics in coastal waters of Hainan Island, China, finding higher concentrations near harbors and industrial zones with a significant positive correlation between microplastic abundance and petroleum contamination, suggesting shared pollution sources.

2021 Environmental Pollution 39 citations