Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in urban Lake Phewa, Nepal: the first report on abundance and composition in surface water of lake in different seasons

Surface water from Lake Phewa, Nepal's second-largest lake, was analyzed for microplastics across seasons in the first such study from Nepal, finding plastics present in all samples with concentrations varying seasonally. The results establish a baseline for freshwater microplastic monitoring in a South Asian developing country context and raise concerns about impacts on a lake important for tourism and local livelihoods.

2022 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 74 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in lakeshore sediments: the first report on abundance and composition of Phewa Lake, Nepal

The first study of microplastic pollution in Phewa Lake sediments in Nepal found an average abundance of 100.5 items per kg dry weight, with fibres dominating at 78% and polypropylene as the main polymer, establishing a baseline for freshwater microplastic research in the country.

2023 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 17 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and Distribution of Microplastics from Nepal’s Second Largest Lake

Researchers conducted the first microplastic survey of Phewa Lake in Nepal, finding an average of 55–122.5 microplastic items per kilogram of sediment, with fiber shapes and polypropylene polymers dominating, and highest concentrations near densely populated shorelines.

2022 Water Air & Soil Pollution 24 citations
Article Tier 2

Detection and Characterization of Microplastics in Two Major Lakes of Nepal: Begnas and Phewa

This study provided some of the first evidence of microplastic contamination in two major Nepalese lakes, Begnas and Phewa, documenting the types, shapes, colors, and sources of particles found. The findings indicate that even high-altitude freshwater systems in Nepal are not immune to plastic pollution.

2025 NPRC Journal of Multidisciplinary Research.
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Pollution in Urban Natural Lakes of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

Researchers studied microplastic pollution in the surface waters of two urban natural lakes in Nepal's Kathmandu Valley. Using stereomicroscopy and FTIR spectroscopy, they characterized the abundance, types, and polymer composition of microplastics, finding notable contamination levels that highlight the need for monitoring microplastic pollution in urban freshwater systems in developing regions.

2026 Environmental Quality Management
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in the high-altitude Himalayas: Assessment of microplastic contamination in freshwater lake sediments, Northwest Himalaya (India)

Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in sediments of freshwater Anchar Lake in the Kashmir Himalayas, finding an average of 606 particles per kilogram dominated by polyamide fibers, with domestic wastewater and textile sources identified as primary contributors.

2021 Chemosphere 166 citations
Article Tier 2

Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in major urban wetlands of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Microplastics were found in water, sediment, and fish from three major urban lakes in Dhaka, Bangladesh, with concentrations ranging from 0 to 9 items per liter in water samples. Fibers were the most common type across all matrices, pointing to textile washing and wastewater discharge as key local sources.

2022 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial distribution and characteristics of microplastics and associated contaminants from mid-altitude lake in NW Himalaya

Researchers documented microplastic contamination and associated phthalate esters in Rewalsar Lake in the Northwest Himalayas, demonstrating that even remote mid-altitude freshwater lakes are significantly affected by microplastic pollution.

2023 Chemosphere 41 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in freshwater lakes: A case study from Southern India

Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in Vellayani Lake, a major drinking water source in southern India, and found particles present across all sampling sites and seasons. Fibers were the most common shape, with polyethylene and polypropylene as the dominant polymer types, likely originating from domestic wastewater and fishing activities. The study highlights the need for monitoring microplastic pollution in freshwater lakes that serve as critical drinking water supplies.

2024 Geosystems and Geoenvironment 15 citations
Article Tier 2

Pollution status of microplastics in the sediments of warm monomictic Dal lake, India: Abundance, composition, and risk assessment

Researchers conducted the first investigation of microplastic contamination in the sediments of Dal Lake in Jammu and Kashmir, India. They found concentrations ranging from 503 to over 3,000 particles per kilogram, with the highest levels occurring in spring, and identified multiple polymer types with polyester and polyethylene being most common. The study establishes baseline pollution data for this ecologically important lake and highlights the seasonal patterns of microplastic accumulation.

2024 Environmental Pollution 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessment of microplastic contamination in the Karnali River: A baseline study in remote region of western Nepal

Researchers surveyed 16 sites along the Karnali River in remote western Nepal and found microplastics at every location, with fiber-shaped particles making up 94% of what they detected — suggesting that even rivers far from cities are not protected from plastic pollution. The findings call for urgent long-term monitoring across Nepal's freshwater systems, most of which have never been studied for microplastic contamination.

2025 Results in Engineering 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in major urban lakes of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Researchers measured microplastic contamination in three major urban lakes in Dhaka, Bangladesh, finding plastic particles in the water, sediment, and fish at all sites. The dominant plastics were common consumer types like polyethylene and PVC, with sizes mostly under 100 micrometers. Since these lakes are in a densely populated urban area, the findings raise concerns about microplastic exposure for the local population through both water and fish consumption.

2023 Heliyon 75 citations
Article Tier 2

Characterization of microplastics and its pollution load index in freshwater Kumaraswamy Lake of Coimbatore, India

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in Kumaraswamy Lake in India across four seasons and found plastic particles at every sampling point. The most common types were polyethylene and polypropylene, with concentrations varying by season and location within the lake. This study provides baseline pollution data for a freshwater lake that serves local communities, highlighting how widespread microplastic contamination has become.

2023 Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology 55 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination in the pristine waters of Tilicho Lake, Nepal: A groundbreaking study in the high-altitude himalayas

Researchers conducted a first-of-its-kind study documenting microplastic contamination in Tilicho Lake, Nepal, one of the world's highest-altitude freshwater lakes, highlighting the penetration of plastic pollution into remote alpine environments.

2025 iScience
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Pollution in Waters and Sediments in a Lentic System: A Case Study in a Tropical Wet Urban Lake of Samarinda, Indonesia

Researchers sampled water and sediment from a tropical urban lake in Samarinda, Indonesia, finding microplastic contamination at all 10 sampling sites with an average of 0.91 particles per litre in water and 375 particles per kilogram in sediment. Fibres — likely from textiles — dominated in both water and sediment, and polyethylene was the most common polymer identified. The study highlights how urban lakes in rapidly developing tropical cities are becoming significant repositories of microplastic pollution, driven by inadequate waste management infrastructure.

2025 Lakes & Reservoirs Science Policy and Management for Sustainable Use 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Tracing microplastic footprints in pristine ecosystems: Insights and implications of Parsons Valley and Sandynulla Lakes, Western Ghats

Researchers conducted the first microplastic assessment of surface waters in Parsons Valley Lake and Sandynulla Lake in the Western Ghats, India, collecting 40 samples and identifying polyethylene and nylon as the dominant plastic types. Pollution levels were highest near tourist and waste disposal areas, and built-up area expansion between 2017 and 2024 was identified as a key driver of microplastic input into these pristine ecosystems.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances
Article Tier 2

Microplastics: an emerging environmental contaminant in surface water bodies of Indore, Central India

Researchers examined microplastic contamination in three lakes in the Indore district of Madhya Pradesh, Central India, collecting water samples and performing risk assessment to characterize microplastic abundance, morphology, and polymer types in these freshwater bodies. The study found microplastics present across all sampled lakes, contributing baseline data on microplastic pollution in central Indian urban freshwater ecosystems.

2025 Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part A
Article Tier 2

First assessment of occurrence, characteristics and human exposure of microplastics in bottled drinking water, Nepal

Researchers conducted the first assessment of microplastics in bottled drinking water from Nepal's mountain, hill, and Terai regions, finding microplastics in all 35 samples tested (mean 118 items/L), with fiber-shaped particles dominating at 71.76%, establishing a baseline for this developing-country context.

2025 Cleaner Water
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in the surface water of Lake Singkarak, Indonesia

Researchers investigated the first documented occurrence of microplastic pollution in Lake Singkarak, a tectonic lake in Indonesia, by collecting water samples from lake inlet, hydropower dam intake, and outlet sites. They found microplastics present throughout the lake's surface water, highlighting the vulnerability of this priority restoration lake to plastic waste inputs from rivers and catchment runoff.

2022 IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Unveiling microplastics pollution in a subtropical rural recreational lake: A novel insight

Researchers conducted the first detailed assessment of microplastic pollution in a rural recreational lake in Bangladesh, analyzing both water and sediment samples. They found microplastics present throughout the lake, with fragments and fibers being the most common types, likely originating from agricultural runoff and recreational activities. The study reveals that microplastic contamination extends well beyond urban waterways into rural environments that have received little scientific attention.

2024 Environmental Research 31 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Pollution in Surface Waters and Sediments of Urban Lake

This book chapter reviews microplastic pollution in urban lake surface waters and sediments, describing sources, distribution patterns, and the ecological consequences of MP accumulation in these widely used but understudied freshwater habitats.

2025
Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination in Indian rural and urban lacustrine ecosystems

Researchers surveyed 39 rural and urban lakes across Tamil Nadu, India, for microplastic contamination and found particles present in water and sediment samples from every lake studied. Urban lakes had significantly higher microplastic concentrations than rural ones, with fibers being the most common particle shape across all sites. The study provides one of the most comprehensive assessments of freshwater microplastic pollution in India, revealing that even relatively remote lakes are not free from contamination.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 22 citations
Article Tier 2

Global microplastic contamination in freshwater lakes: Spatial patterns, environmental drivers, and methodological challenges

This review systematically analyzed 84 studies covering more than 300 lakes worldwide to assess global microplastic contamination in freshwater lake systems. Surface water MP concentrations ranged from below 0.001 to over 200 MP/L, with fibers and fragments dominating, polyethylene and polypropylene most common, and highest levels found in shallow, lowland, and eutrophic systems near urbanized shorelines.

2025 Environmental Research
Article Tier 2

The abundance and composition of Micro Plastics in the North and South Basins of Lake Biwa, Japan

Researchers measured the abundance and types of microplastics in both the shallow south basin and the deep north basin of Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake. Microplastics were found throughout the lake, with concentrations and polymer types varying between basins. The study contributes to growing evidence that microplastics are widespread in freshwater lakes, not just marine environments.

2023