Papers

61,005 results
|
Article Tier 2

Occurrence of microplastics in the Han River and riverine fish in South Korea

Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in the Han River and its tributaries in South Korea, as well as in six species of freshwater fish. They found microplastics at all sampling sites, with polyethylene, silicone, and polystyrene being the most common polymer types. Fish intestines contained an average of 22 microplastic particles per individual, predominantly fragments, indicating widespread contamination of the freshwater food web.

2019 The Science of The Total Environment 329 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic characterization in small freshwater fishes collected in Gyeongan-cheon, a tributary stream of Han River in South Korea: Ingestion and depuration study of Nylon

Researchers characterized microplastic distribution in freshwater fishes from Gyeongan-cheon, a Han River tributary in South Korea, finding 34-284 particles per individual with fibers and fragments predominating, and conducted nylon ingestion and depuration experiments to assess clearance rates.

2024 Environmental Pollution 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and sources of micro-plastics in various water bodies, sediments, and fishes in Ansan, South Korea.

This study measured microplastic contamination in four rivers, waterways, sediments, and fish in Ansan, South Korea, finding strong correlations between plastic levels in the water and in carp and river crabs. The results confirm that microplastics transfer from aquatic environments into freshwater organisms, raising concerns about food safety for people consuming locally caught fish and shellfish.

2023 Environmental science and pollution research international
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and characterization of microplastic content in the digestive system of riverine fishes

Researchers found microplastics in 93.8% of riverine fish examined, with polystyrene, polyethylene, and nylon being the most common polymer types concentrated near urban and industrial areas, and small particles (0.025-1 mm) predominating across species.

2021 Journal of Environmental Management 32 citations
Article Tier 2

Temporal and spatial distribution of microplastic in the sediment of the Han River, South Korea

The first comprehensive survey of microplastic temporal and spatial distribution in Han River sediment in South Korea found microplastics at all sites with concentrations varying by season and proximity to urban areas, with polyethylene and polypropylene fragments and fibers as the dominant types.

2023 Chemosphere 23 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Distribution and Characteristics in Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) from Han River, South Korea

Researchers examined microplastic distribution in common carp from the Han River in South Korea, analyzing contamination in gills, intestines, and muscle tissue. The study found microplastics present across all tissue types, with fibers being the most common form, suggesting that this widely consumed fish species may represent a pathway for human exposure to microplastics.

2023 Water 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination in freshwater fish: first insights from the Mekong River in Nakhon Phanom Province, Thailand

Researchers found microplastics in 100% of 89 fish gastrointestinal tracts sampled from the Mekong River in Thailand, averaging 23.76 items per individual, with fragments being the dominant shape (83%), particles under 100 µm the most common size, and 17 polymer types identified across species.

2025 Ecologica Montenegrina
Article Tier 2

Distributions of Microplastics in Surface Water, Fish, and Sediment in the Vicinity of a Sewage Treatment Plant

Researchers examined the spatial and temporal distribution of microplastics in surface water, fish, and sediment upstream and downstream of a sewage treatment plant (STP) discharging into the Tanchon stream in South Korea. They found that the STP was a significant point source of microplastics, with downstream concentrations elevated in water and sediment, and microplastics detected in fish gut contents at both sites.

2020 Water 96 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and exposure analysis of microplastic in the gut and muscle tissue of riverine fish in Kermanshah province of Iran

Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in the gut and muscle tissue of fish from the Qarasu River in Iran, finding microplastics in all species examined. The estimated human dietary intake through fish consumption was calculated at approximately 174 and 127 particles per kilogram of body weight per year for adults and children respectively, highlighting the potential for microplastic exposure through food.

2021 Marine Pollution Bulletin 52 citations
Article Tier 2

Characterization and spatial distribution of microplastics in two wild captured economic freshwater fish from north and west rivers of Guangdong province

Microplastics were found in two economically important freshwater fish species sampled across Guangdong Province, China, with fibers being the most common type and polypropylene and polyester the dominant polymers. The widespread contamination of commercial freshwater fish in China indicates a significant pathway for human exposure through fish consumption.

2020 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 46 citations
Article Tier 2

Effects of micro-plastics in non-point source pollution on various water sources, sediments, and fishes

This Korean study measured microplastic contamination in river water, sediment, and fish from the Ansan River, finding plastics in all sample types and correlating levels between carp and river crabs. The findings suggest that both fish and crustaceans in this river accumulate microplastics from non-point pollution sources, with potential implications for local food safety.

2023 Research Square (Research Square)
Article Tier 2

Prevalence of microplastics in commonly consumed fish species of the river Old Brahmaputra, Bangladesh

Researchers found microplastics in nearly 59% of edible fish from Bangladesh's Old Brahmaputra river, with polyethylene fibers and pellets dominating, and ingestion rates linked to fish size, feeding behavior, and downstream location.

2023 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 39 citations
Article Tier 2

A Study on Distribution of Characteristics of Microplastic in the Han-River Watershed

Scientists mapped the distribution and characteristics of microplastics throughout the Han River watershed in South Korea, including tributaries and sections that serve as drinking water sources, and found widespread contamination varying by location and flow conditions. The findings underscore the need for better monitoring and management of microplastics in freshwater systems that supply drinking water to millions of people.

2024 Journal of Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology 2 citations
Article Tier 2

The influences of spatial-temporal variability and ecological drivers on microplastic in marine fish in Hong Kong

Researchers found that over 57% of marine fish in Hong Kong waters contained microplastics, with higher abundance in fish from more polluted western waters during the wet season, and that omnivorous fish ingested significantly more microplastics than carnivorous fish regardless of collection location or season.

2023 Environmental Pollution 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Abundance, characteristics and variation of microplastics in different freshwater fish species from Bangladesh

Researchers examined 48 freshwater fish from 18 species in Bangladesh and found microplastics in the digestive tracts of over 73% of the fish studied. Fibers were the most common shape, and the plastics were primarily polyethylene and polypropylene-based polymers. Bottom-dwelling fish contained more microplastics than those living higher in the water column, suggesting that contaminated sediments are a significant source of exposure for freshwater species.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 220 citations
Article Tier 2

An Assessment of Microplastic Pollution in Several Streams of Gyeonggi-do

This study assessed microplastic pollution in several streams in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, finding microplastic concentrations in freshwater environments and contributing data to a literature dominated by marine studies.

2023 Journal of Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Characteristics and retention of microplastics in the digestive tracts of fish from the Yellow Sea

Researchers systematically characterized microplastics in 19 fish species from the Yellow Sea coast of China, finding plastic retention in 34% of individual fish sampled, with fibers dominating and significant variation in microplastic load by species and habitat.

2019 Environmental Pollution 138 citations
Article Tier 2

Pervasiveness of microplastics in the gastrointestinal tract of some selected fish species from Turag River alongside the capital city of Bangladesh

Researchers found microplastics in all three species of fish collected from the Turag River near Dhaka, Bangladesh, with fiber being the dominant type at 89-93% of all particles found. The most common plastics identified were polypropylene, polystyrene, and low-density polyethylene, with the majority of particles smaller than 0.5 mm. Since these freshwater fish are a major protein source for local communities, the contamination raises concerns about microplastic exposure through the food supply in urban areas of developing countries.

2024 Emerging contaminants 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics pollution in freshwater fishes in the South of Italy: Characterization, distribution, and correlation with environmental pollutants

Researchers investigated the presence, abundance, and polymer composition of microplastics in the gastrointestinal tracts of freshwater fish from rivers in southern Italy, and evaluated correlations between microplastic ingestion and environmental pollutant levels. They found microplastics in multiple fish species, with fiber morphologies predominating, and identified associations between microplastic burden and co-occurring chemical contaminants in the sampled environments.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 19 citations
Article Tier 2

Low level of microplastic contamination in wild fish from an urban estuary

Researchers found low levels of microplastic contamination in 26 wild fish species from the Pearl River Estuary, South China, with abundance and polymer composition varying by species feeding strategy and habitat depth, suggesting that estuarine fish exposure depends substantially on ecological niche.

2020 Marine Pollution Bulletin 63 citations
Article Tier 2

Year-round spatial and temporal distribution of microplastics in water and sediments of an urban freshwater system (Jungnang Stream, Korea)

Researchers conducted a year-round monthly survey of microplastic distribution in surface water and sediments of the Jungnang Stream, a major tributary to South Korea's Han River. They found average concentrations of 9.8 particles per liter in water and 3,640 particles per kilogram in sediment, with summer showing significantly higher contamination levels. The study highlights the importance of high-resolution temporal monitoring to understand seasonal dynamics of microplastic pollution in urban freshwater systems.

2024 Environmental Pollution 18 citations
Article Tier 2

Characterization and enumeration of microplastic pollution in three fish species of the Upper Mississippi River

Researchers found 891 microplastic particles across 281 fish from three species in the Upper Mississippi River, with fibers being the most common type and smaller fish containing proportionally more microplastics than larger ones. This confirms microplastic ingestion is widespread in freshwater fish — not just marine species — and the presence of styrene-isoprene, polyester, and ABS polymers highlights the diverse plastic sources contaminating major river systems.

2023 Minds at UW (University of Wisconsin)
Article Tier 2

Occurrence Characteristics and Ecological Risk Assessment of Microplastics in Aquatic Environments of Cascade Reservoirs Along the Middle-Lower Han River

The occurrence characteristics and ecological risk of microplastics were assessed in a specific environment, providing spatial distribution data and risk indices. Such assessments are important for establishing baseline contamination levels and identifying sites requiring remediation.

2025 Water 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in freshwater wild and farmed fish species of Bangladesh

Researchers evaluated microplastic contamination in freshwater wild and farmed fish species across multiple rivers and farms in Bangladesh, comparing contamination levels between wild-caught and aquaculture-raised fish of the same species.

2023 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 35 citations