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20 resultsShowing papers similar to Correlation between microplastics estimation and human development index
ClearGlobal patterns of lake microplastic pollution: Insights from regional human development levels
A meta-analysis of 351 lakes across 43 countries found microplastic concentrations ranging from 0.09 to 130,000 items/m3 in surface water, with fibers as the dominant shape and polyethylene, polypropylene, and PET as the most common polymers. Countries with lower human development indices actually showed higher contamination levels, suggesting that waste management capacity is a key driver of lake microplastic pollution.
Spatiotemporal response of microplastics to natural and anthropogenic factors in estuarine waters
This meta-analysis of 126 estuaries worldwide found a median microplastic abundance of 197 items per cubic meter, with Asian and Oceanian estuaries containing the highest concentrations. The Human Development Index was the strongest predictor of microplastic levels — developing countries showed increasing estuarine contamination over time while developed countries remained stable.
A Regional Difference Analysis of Microplastic Pollution in Global Freshwater Bodies Based on a Regression Model
Analysis of microplastic data from 37 freshwater locations worldwide found pollution is highest in Asia, that developing countries have more contamination than developed ones, and that urban areas exceed rural areas. Population density and GDP both correlated with microplastic concentrations, confirming human activity as the primary driver.
Impact of microplastics on economic condition in underdeveloped nations
This review examines how microplastic pollution generated primarily by high-income countries disproportionately affects underdeveloped nations in Africa and Southeast Asia due to inadequate waste management infrastructure and limited recycling capacity. Using global socio-economic models projecting mismanaged plastic waste to 2050, the authors show that corruption and lack of education exacerbate plastic pollution, threatening food security, ecological stability, and economic development in vulnerable regions.
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.
Human Population Density is a Poor Predictor of Debris in the Environment
Researchers assessed factors driving plastic leakage to the environment using empirical data from seven countries and found that human population density alone is a poor predictor of debris levels. The study suggests that other factors, including waste management infrastructure and local land use, are more important drivers of environmental plastic pollution than population density estimates commonly used in global models.
Microplastics pollution in the rivers of a metropolitan city and its estimated dependency on surrounding developed land
Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in four rivers across Hong Kong and found that rivers in urbanized areas had significantly higher concentrations of plastic particles than the rural river. The most polluted river contained over 53 plastic particles per liter of water, and contamination levels correlated with the proportion of developed land in surrounding areas. The study suggests that urban development and population density are key drivers of microplastic pollution in city waterways.
The consequences of trade on global plastic pollution
By combining plastic waste generation data with global trade commodity data, researchers found that plastic waste exported from high-income countries and mismanaged in lower-income nations contributes 1.2 million metric tons of additional plastic to aquatic environments annually, increasing prior estimates of high-income country contributions by 51% for freshwater and 100% for marine environments. The findings reveal that international waste trade is a major underestimated driver of global plastic and microplastic pollution.
Population density and agricultural land cover influence microplastic concentrations in river sediments
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in river sediments across nine Mid-Atlantic US watersheds and compared findings from 18 countries, finding no consistent longitudinal trend from headwaters to downstream reaches, but identifying population density and agricultural land cover as significant positive predictors of MP accumulation at a global scale.
Riverine macroplastic gradient along watercourses: A global overview
Researchers conducted a global overview of macroplastic pollution gradients along river systems, from upper reaches to lower stretches. The study found that plastic concentrations generally increase downstream, driven by population density and urbanization, and highlighted that upper and middle river zones have been largely overlooked in previous research.
Baseline Study on Microplastics in Indian Rivers under Different Anthropogenic Influences
Researchers collected microplastic samples from Indian rivers under different levels of anthropogenic influence and found MPs in all sites, with concentrations correlating with population density and industrial activity, providing one of the first systematic field datasets for major Indian river systems.
Disentangling the anthropogenic and environmental correlates of microplastic pollution in the coastal waters of a metropolis in Southern China
Researchers surveyed 31 sites across Hong Kong's coastal waters and found microplastics at every location, with concentrations ranging widely depending on local conditions. They analyzed both human activity patterns and environmental factors to identify the main drivers of contamination. The study found that population density and proximity to urban discharge points were strongly associated with higher microplastic levels in surface waters.
The effects of riverside cities on microplastics in river water: A case study on the Southern Jiangsu Canal, China
Researchers studied microplastic contamination in the Southern Jiangsu Canal in China and found that riverside cities significantly increase microplastic levels in river water, with abundance rising by 26% to 211% after flowing through urban areas. The study found that microplastic concentrations correlated with regional GDP and population density, with PET, polycarbonate, and polyethylene being the most common polymer types detected.
Microplastics in seawater and two sides of the Taiwan Strait: Reflection of the social-economic development
Researchers surveyed microplastic abundance in surface seawater and coastal sediments on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, finding differences in contamination levels that reflected contrasting levels of industrialization and urban development on the Chinese mainland versus Taiwan sides.
Microplastic in tropical island estuaries in China: Source identification and management framework development
Researchers found surprisingly higher microplastic concentrations in the less-urbanized Wanquan River Estuary compared to the Nandu River Estuary in Hainan Island, China, suggesting that tourism and agricultural activities may contribute more significantly to microplastic pollution than urbanization alone.
Correlation Analysis and Countermeasure Research of Mismanaged Plastic Waste
This study used statistical modeling to analyze the factors driving mismanaged plastic waste globally, finding that high-income countries and regions with high international tourist flows contribute disproportionately to plastic waste that pollutes marine environments. The authors recommend economic incentives and stronger responsibility frameworks for these higher-income contexts.
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.
Future Projections of Global Plastic Pollution: Scenario Analyses and Policy Implications
This study used data from 128 countries to project future plastic pollution levels based on population growth, wealth, and technology. The researchers found that plastic pollution follows a curve where it rises with economic growth but could decline once countries reach a certain development level. The projections suggest that without policy changes, global plastic pollution and the resulting microplastic contamination will continue to increase significantly.
Global plastic pollution, sustainable development, and plastic justice
This review examines how plastic pollution, including microplastics, undermines sustainable development goals and disproportionately affects lower-income nations that lack waste management infrastructure. The authors propose a "plastic justice" framework to address the human rights dimensions of plastic pollution, which poses health risks to communities through contaminated water, food, and air.
Country-level plastic bag legislation against plastic waste and select Human Development Indices
This dataset cataloged single-use plastic bag legislation in 190 countries, categorizing bans, taxes, and other regulatory approaches, and linked them to plastic waste generation and human development indicators. Plastic bag bans and taxes directly reduce a major source of plastic debris that fragments into environmental microplastics.