Papers

20 results
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Article Tier 2

Horizontal and vertical distribution of microplastics in dam reservoir after impoundment

Microplastic distribution was mapped both horizontally and vertically in a Chinese reservoir after impoundment, revealing that plastics were not uniformly distributed but concentrated in specific depth layers and spatial zones influenced by water flow and stratification. The study provides insight into how dam reservoirs trap and accumulate microplastics from river inputs.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 47 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

Vertical Stratificationand Driving Factors of Microplasticsin the South China Sea: Distributions, Mechanisms, and EcologicalRisks

This study of the South China Sea found that microplastic abundance decreases significantly with water depth, with lighter polymers concentrated near the surface and denser polymers found deeper. Temperature, salinity, and ocean stratification were identified as key drivers of this vertical distribution pattern.

Figshare
Article Tier 2

Prevalence of small high-density microplastics in the continental shelf and deep sea waters of East Asia

Researchers collected water samples at multiple depth layers across the continental shelf and deep sea of East Asia and found that small, high-density microplastics were more abundant in deeper waters, suggesting vertical sinking pathways concentrate certain particle types in the deep ocean.

2021 Water Research 112 citations
Article Tier 2

Vertical Stratification and Driving Factors of Microplastics in the South China Sea: Distributions, Mechanisms, and Ecological Risks

Researchers collected water samples from 15 stations across the South China Sea to map the vertical distribution of microplastics through the water column. They found that depth, ocean currents, and biological activity strongly influenced microplastic stratification, with ecological risk higher in surface and subsurface layers.

2025 Environmental Science & Technology
Article Tier 2

[Vertical Distribution Characteristics of Microplastics in Miyun Reservoir].

Researchers measured microplastic levels at different water depths in Beijing's Miyun Reservoir, an important drinking water source, finding concentrations ranging from 0.4 to 7.6 particles per liter. The study found that microplastic abundance was significantly higher during flood season, with fibers being the dominant type across all water layers and polyethylene and polypropylene the most common polymer types.

2026 PubMed
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
Article Tier 2

Vertical distribution of microplastics in the sediment profiles of the Lake Taihu, eastern China

Researchers analyzed vertical microplastic distribution in sediment cores from Lake Taihu, China, finding microplastics at all depths down to 50 cm with total abundances of up to 8,100 particles/kg dry weight, suggesting that surface sediment sampling significantly underestimates total microplastic storage.

2022 Sustainable Environment Research 22 citations
Article Tier 2

Insights into the horizontal and vertical profiles of microplastics in a river emptying into the sea affected by intensive anthropogenic activities in Northern China

This first vertical profile study of microplastics in a river in northern China found significant differences in microplastic concentration between surface, intermediate, and bottom waters, with higher abundances near the riverbed, suggesting that surface-only sampling underestimates total microplastic loads.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 68 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence Patterns and Pollution Risk of Microplastics in Surface Sediments and Sediment Cores of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China

Researchers examined the occurrence, distribution, and pollution risk of microplastics in surface sediments and sediment cores of China's Three Gorges Reservoir across different water seasons. The study found distinct seasonal patterns in microplastic abundance and composition in both surface sediments and vertical core profiles, confirming the reservoir acts as a significant sink for microplastic contamination.

2025 Sustainability
Article Tier 2

Vertical Distribution of Microplastics in the Water Column and Surficial Sediment from the Milwaukee River Basin to Lake Michigan

Microplastics were measured in water surface, water subsurface, and sediment samples along the Milwaukee River continuum to Lake Michigan, finding density-dependent vertical distribution with low-density polymers concentrated at the surface and high-density polymers in sediments. The study demonstrates a clear polymer partitioning pattern with depth in freshwater systems.

2019 Environmental Science & Technology 440 citations
Article Tier 2

Vertical Differentiation of Microplastics Influenced by Thermal Stratification in a Deep Reservoir

Researchers investigated how thermal stratification affects the vertical distribution of microplastics in a deep reservoir. The study found for the first time that thermal stratification interfaces act as buffer areas that retard microplastic sinking, with a size-selection phenomenon where larger microplastics (over 300 micrometers) were particularly susceptible to accumulation at these density transition zones.

2023 Environmental Science & Technology 21 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in a deep, dimictic lake of the North German Plain with special regard to vertical distribution patterns

Researchers assessed the vertical distribution of microplastics in Lake Tollense, a deep dimictic lake in northern Germany, sampling particles 63-5000 μm at surface, 7 m, and 10 m depths on three occasions. The study found that vertical distribution patterns varied with lake stratification and depth, contributing new data on how physical processes in freshwater lakes influence where microplastics accumulate.

2020 Environmental Pollution 63 citations
Article Tier 2

Horizontal and vertical distribution of microplastics in Gehu Lake, China

Researchers analyzed the horizontal and vertical distribution of microplastics at different water depths across Gehu Lake in China, finding microplastics present throughout all depth layers with surface water showing the highest abundance (3.13 plus or minus 0.32 items/L) and bottom water the lowest (1.03 plus or minus 0.14 items/L). They found that most microplastic particles ranged from 100 to 500 micrometers in size with fibrous shapes predominating, and identified polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene as the main polymer types in the lake.

2022 Water Science & Technology Water Supply 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Seasonal variations of microplastics in surface water and sediment in an inland river drinking water source in southern China

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in surface water and sediment of a southern China river used as a drinking water source during both flooding and dry seasons. They found microplastic abundances were generally higher during the dry period, with fibers being the dominant type and polyethylene the most common polymer. The study suggests that seasonal hydrological changes significantly affect microplastic distribution in inland drinking water sources.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 54 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution and risk assessment of microplastics in a source water reservoir, Central China

Researchers measured microplastic levels at different water depths in a reservoir in central China used as a drinking water source. They found 2 to 14 particles per liter, with polypropylene and polyethylene being the most common types. Middle and bottom water layers showed higher risk levels due to more toxic polymer types, raising concerns about the safety of source water used for drinking.

2025 Scientific Reports 19 citations
Article Tier 2

Vertical microplastic distribution in sediments of Fuhe River estuary to Baiyangdian Wetland in Northern China

Researchers studied how microplastics are distributed at different depths in river sediments near a major wetland in northern China, where treated wastewater is a primary water source. They found that microplastic concentrations were highest in the top layer of sediment and decreased with depth, with polyethylene and polypropylene being the most common types. The spatial distribution was closely linked to nearby human activities, with more contaminated areas found near population centers.

2021 Chemosphere 129 citations
Article Tier 2

Vertical distribution of microplastics in sediment columns along the coastline of China

Sediment column samples collected from 11 provinces along China's coastline revealed that microplastic pollution decreases with depth and is more diverse in vertical profiles than in surface sediments, with fibers dominating. Estuarine and coastal areas showed higher contamination than mangrove reserves.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Horizontal and Vertical Distribution of Microplastics in Korean Coastal Waters

The first study to examine vertical distribution of microplastics in South Korean coastal waters found that particles were present throughout the water column from the surface to depths of 58 meters, with concentrations varying by size and location. The results indicate that microplastic contamination is not confined to the surface and affects organisms at all depths in semi-enclosed bays.

2018 Environmental Science & Technology 320 citations
Article Tier 2

The transport and vertical distribution of microplastics in the Mekong River, SE Asia

Researchers measured microplastic levels throughout the water column of the Mekong River in Cambodia and Vietnam, finding concentrations increased significantly from rural to urban areas. Most microplastics were fibers, predominantly polyester, and 86% were transported within the water column rather than at the surface. The study reveals that surface-only sampling methods substantially underestimate actual microplastic levels in major rivers.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 21 citations