Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Ecological and health risk assessment of potential toxic elements in surface sediments: Gediz River, Türkiye

Researchers assessed potential toxic element concentrations in surface sediments of the Gediz River in Turkey, calculating ecological and human health risk indices and identifying industrial and agricultural inputs as major sources of heavy metal contamination.

2024 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Concentrations and total mass storage of fine sediment, potentially toxic elements (PTEs) and phosphorus in the channel bed of an urban river: a multi-year study

Not a microplastics paper — this multi-year study tracks how fine sediment and toxic elements like lead, arsenic, and zinc accumulate in the bed of an urban river in Canada, finding that concentrations exceed safe thresholds for aquatic life at multiple sites.

2023 Journal of Soils and Sediments 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Hazardous effects of heavy metal pollution on Nile tilapia in the aquatic ecosystem of the Eastern Delta in Egypt

Researchers assessed heavy metal contamination in Nile tilapia from rivers in Egypt's Eastern Delta, finding that some metals had accumulated in fish tissues at levels exceeding international safety limits — raising health concerns for people who eat fish from these polluted waters.

2024 BMC Veterinary Research 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Identification Sources and High-Risk Areas of Sediment Heavy Metals in the Yellow River by Geographical Detector Method

Scientists measured heavy metal contamination in river sediments of the Yellow River in Inner Mongolia, identifying industrial emissions and agricultural activities as the main sources. While focused on heavy metals, the research is relevant because microplastics frequently co-occur with and transport heavy metal pollutants in river systems.

2021 Water 18 citations
Article Tier 2

Heavy Metal Contamination in Surface Water of Harike Wetland, India: Source and Health Risk Assessment

Researchers measured levels of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, and zinc in the surface water of Harike Wetland in India across different seasons. They found that cadmium and lead exceeded safe drinking water standards, particularly during winter months, with industrial discharge and agricultural runoff identified as primary sources. The health risk assessment indicated that these contaminated waters pose potential non-cancer health risks, especially for children.

2023 Water 15 citations
Article Tier 2

Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic health risk assessment of river Ganges in different climatic conditions and regions of Uttarakhand, India

Researchers assessed health risks from heavy metals in the Ganges River, finding elevated arsenic at some sites and correlations between physicochemical parameters and metal concentrations.

2023 Research Square (Research Square)
Article Tier 2

Distribution pattern and ecological risk assessment of heavy metals in Henan section of the Yellow River

Researchers assessed heavy metal pollution in sediments of the Henan section of the Yellow River, finding elevated concentrations of several metals including cadmium and lead, with ecological risk assessments indicating moderate to high risk in certain areas driven by both natural and anthropogenic inputs.

2022 Water Science & Technology Water Supply 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Risk assessment and source apportionment of trace elements in multiple compartments in the lower reach of the Jinsha River, China

Researchers analyzed six trace element pollutants across water, sediment, and soil in a 28-km river stretch in China and found that industrial and agricultural activities were the main sources, with ingestion being the top health risk pathway — highlighting the need to assess connected environmental systems together rather than in isolation.

2021 Scientific Reports 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Study on the Accumulation of Heavy Metals in Different Soil-Crop Systems and Ecological Risk Assessment: A Case Study of Jiao River Basin

Researchers assessed heavy metal accumulation in four crops (wheat, corn, potatoes, and leeks) and soils from the Jiao River Basin, evaluating ecological risk from eight heavy metals including copper, lead, cadmium, and arsenic. The study found that cadmium and arsenic posed the highest ecological risks, with crop type influencing heavy metal uptake patterns.

2023 Agronomy 21 citations
Article Tier 2

The physicochemical characteristics of the Ialomita River in Dambovita county

This study analyzed water quality parameters in the Ialomita River in Romania, measuring pH, conductivity, turbidity, and heavy metal concentrations including lead, cadmium, and zinc. Some heavy metal levels exceeded safety thresholds. River quality monitoring is important for identifying pollution sources and protecting communities that rely on these waters for drinking or agriculture.

2023
Article Tier 2

Enrichment, Bioaccumulation and Health Risks of Trace Metals in Soils and Leafy Vegetables Grown on the Banks of the Ugandan Lifeline River, River Rwizi

Researchers measured six trace metals in soil and leafy vegetables grown along the banks of Uganda's River Rwizi near urban areas. The study found elevated metal concentrations linked to urbanization and industrial activities, with some vegetables accumulating metals at levels that could pose health risks to people who regularly eat produce from these riverside farms.

2024 World 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Delving into river health: unveiling microplastic intrusion and heavy metal contamination in freshwater

Researchers sampled five sites along the Nida River in Poland and found microplastic concentrations averaging 245 particles per liter alongside elevated levels of zinc and lead, with cancer risk estimates exceeding safe thresholds in most samples. The study is among the first to characterize both microplastic and heavy metal contamination in Polish freshwater, providing baseline data for pollution management.

2024 Discover Environment 33 citations
Article Tier 2

Many Oil Wells, One Evil: Potentially toxic metals concentration, seasonal variation and Human Health Risk Assessment in Drinking Water Quality in Ebocha-Obrikom Oil and Gas Area of Rivers State, Nigeria

Researchers assessed heavy metal concentrations and seasonal variation in drinking water from an oil and gas extraction area in Nigeria, finding contamination levels that pose significant human health risks including potential neurological and carcinogenic effects.

2021 29 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution of Heavy Metals and Organic Compounds: Contamination and Associated Risk Assessment in the Han River Watershed, South Korea

Researchers assessed the spatiotemporal distribution, sources, and health risks of heavy metals (Cr, As, Hg) and organic compounds in surface water from 100 sampling sites across the Han River watershed in South Korea during wet and dry seasons. Using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, mercury analyzer, and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, they identified contamination hotspots and quantified the contribution of industrialization and urbanization to water quality degradation.

2022 Agronomy 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Investigation of Microplastics Presence in the Dambovita River

Researchers investigated the presence and distribution of microplastics in the Dambovita River, contributing to growing evidence of plastic pollution in freshwater systems across Romania.

2023 International Journal of Conservation Science 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Progress in the Research of the Toxicity Effect Mechanisms of Heavy Metals on Freshwater Organisms and Their Water Quality Criteria in China

Researchers reviewed the toxicity mechanisms of heavy metals on freshwater organisms and the development of water quality criteria in China. The study examines how heavy metal pollution threatens both aquatic ecosystems and human health, and discusses the scientific basis for establishing environmental standards that protect freshwater organisms from harmful contaminant levels.

2020 Journal of Chemistry 121 citations
Article Tier 2

Investigation of heavy metals adsorbed on microplastics in drinking water and water resources of Zabol

Researchers found microplastics in the drinking water supply of Zabol, Iran, with heavy metals like iron, arsenic, and cadmium stuck to their surfaces. Some of these metals exceeded World Health Organization safety limits, meaning the tiny plastic particles may be carrying harmful chemicals directly into the water people drink every day.

2025 Scientific Reports 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics and heavy metals in freshwater fish: A comprehensive study of contamination and health risks

Researchers simultaneously assessed microplastic and heavy metal contamination in two fish species from Iran's Kashkan River, finding microplastics in 79% of the 48 specimens examined. The study also found heavy metal levels that exceeded safe limits, raising human health concerns for communities consuming these fish.

2025 Environmental Research
Article Tier 2

Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination in Shrimp and Water from the Great Kwa River: Implications for Human Health and Aquatic Ecosystems

Researchers measured heavy metal concentrations in shrimp and water samples from Nigeria's Great Kwa River. The study found elevated levels of several toxic metals linked to oil exploration and industrial activities, with some metals in shrimp tissue exceeding safe consumption limits, raising concerns about health risks for local communities who rely on river shellfish as a food source.

2024 International Journal of Biochemistry Research & Review 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Many oil wells, one evil: comprehensive assessment of toxic metals concentration, seasonal variation and human health risk in drinking water quality in areas surrounding crude oil exploration facilities in rivers state, Nigeria

Researchers assessed toxic metal concentrations in drinking water near crude oil exploration facilities in Nigeria, finding seasonal variations and levels exceeding safety thresholds that pose serious health risks to surrounding communities.

2022 International Journal of Hydrology 38 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial Distributions and Intrinsic Influence Analysis of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb in Sediments from the Wuliangsuhai Wetland, China

Researchers mapped heavy metal concentrations in sediments of the Wuliangsuhai wetland in China, finding arsenic and cadmium levels six- and seven-fold above background values respectively, largely from irrigation water inputs. High bioavailable fractions of cadmium, lead, and zinc raised concerns about ecological and human health risks in this agriculturally managed wetland.

2022 International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Bioaccumulation and potential sources of heavy metal contamination in fish species in River Ganga basin: Possible human health risks evaluation

Researchers assessed heavy metal contamination in seven commonly consumed fish species from the Ganga River basin in India, measuring zinc, lead, copper, cadmium, and chromium levels. They found that chromium, cadmium, and lead concentrations in river water exceeded safe limits at all sampling sites, with the highest metal accumulation occurring in fish liver tissue. The health risk assessment indicated potential long-term hazards for human populations consuming fish from these contaminated river segments.

2019 Toxicology Reports 346 citations
Review Tier 2

Ecological-Health Risk Assessments of Heavy Metals (Cu, Pb, and Zn) in Aquatic Sediments from the ASEAN-5 Emerging Developing Countries: A Review and Synthesis

This review compiled copper, lead, and zinc concentrations in aquatic sediments across five ASEAN countries from 1981 to 2021, finding elevated heavy metal levels at sites with high human activity and assessing ecological and health risks from sediment contamination.

2021 Biology 34 citations
Article Tier 2

Deciphering geospatial variations in water quality of a perennial river for human consumption and agricultural application

Researchers analyzed geospatial variation in water quality along a perennial river to assess human health risks from drinking water exposure, identifying hotspots of contamination exceeding safety thresholds. The study provides a risk-based framework for prioritizing water treatment interventions.

2024 Water Practice & Technology