Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Spatiotemporal variation of microplastics along the long-distance raw water pipeline

Researchers tracked microplastic levels along raw water pipelines that carry drinking water in China and found that plastic particles were present in all samples, with concentrations varying by season. The abundance of microplastics decreased along the length of the pipeline, and the average particle size grew larger over distance, likely due to microbial growth on the surfaces. The study is the first to comprehensively map how microplastics behave during long-distance water transport.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 4 citations
Article Tier 2

[Distribution Characteristics and Risk Assessment of Microplastics in Soil in Danjiangkou Reservoir Area of South-to-North Water Diversion Project].

This study characterized microplastic occurrence in four types of agricultural soil in the Danjiangkou Reservoir area of China — a critical water source for the South-to-North Water Diversion Project. Orchard soils had higher microplastic concentrations than paddy or dryland soils, driven by plastic mulch use and irrigation. Microplastic contamination of this major water supply raises concerns about downstream drinking water quality for millions of people.

2023 PubMed 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Impact of microplastics on microbial community in sediments of the Huangjinxia Reservoir—water source of a water diversion project in western China

Researchers examined microplastic contamination and its effects on microbial communities in sediments of the Huangjinxia Reservoir in western China, investigating how microplastic presence alters the composition and function of microbial assemblages in this drinking water source.

2020 Chemosphere 97 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution and source of microplastics in China's second largest reservoir - Danjiangkou Reservoir

Microplastic distribution and sources were investigated in Danjiangkou Reservoir, the second largest reservoir in China and the source for the South-to-North Water Diversion Project. The study found microplastics throughout both the Han and Dan sections of the reservoir, identifying agricultural runoff and upstream river inputs as key contamination sources.

2020 Journal of Environmental Sciences 148 citations
Article Tier 2

[Composition and Distribution Characteristics of Microplastics in Danjiangkou Reservoir and Its Tributaries].

Researchers analyzed the types, abundance, and distribution of microplastics in Danjiangkou Reservoir, a first-class drinking water source protection area in China. Finding microplastics in a protected drinking water source underscores the need for improved upstream plastic waste management and water treatment to protect public health.

2021 PubMed 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Tracing microplastics in rural drinking water in Chongqing, China: Their presence and pathways from source to tap

Researchers traced the journey of microplastics through a rural drinking water system in Chongqing, China, from reservoir to tap. They found that the water treatment plant successfully removed all microplastics from the water, but contamination increased again during pipe transport to homes, resulting in about 1.4 particles per liter at the tap. The study reveals that aging distribution pipes are a significant and often overlooked source of microplastic exposure in drinking water.

2023 Journal of Hazardous Materials 60 citations
Article Tier 2

Manuscript prepared for submission to environmental toxicology and pharmacology pollution in drinking water source areas: Microplastics in the Danjiangkou Reservoir, China

Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in surface water and sediments of the Danjiangkou Reservoir, the source area for China's South-to-North Water Diversion Project, finding microplastics in all samples at abundances ranging from 467 to 15,017 particles/m3 in water and 15 to 40 particles/kg in sediment. Fibrous particles smaller than 2 mm dominated, with micro-Raman spectroscopy identifying polypropylene as the primary polymer type.

2018 Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology 113 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and identification of microplastics in tap water from China

Researchers analyzed 38 tap water samples from cities across China and found microplastics in all of them, with concentrations averaging around 440 particles per liter. Most particles were smaller than 50 micrometers, and the dominant types were polyethylene and polypropylene fragments. The findings highlight that drinking water treatment plants face a significant challenge in addressing microplastic contamination in the water supply.

2020 Chemosphere 416 citations
Article Tier 2

Transport, Behavior, and Human Exposure of Microplastics in Rural Drinking Water Supply Chains

Researchers tracked microplastic distribution, transport, and human exposure risk through rural drinking water supply chains in China, finding MPs present throughout the system from source water to tap, with concentration changes at each treatment and distribution stage.

2025 Environment & Health
Article Tier 2

Microplastics contamination in groundwater of a drinking-water source area, northern China

Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in shallow groundwater from a major drinking-water source area in northern China. The study found microplastics present in groundwater samples, with their abundance, morphology, and chemical composition varying across the study area and correlating with nearby human activities.

2022 Environmental Research 56 citations
Article Tier 2

Presence of microplastics in drinking water from freshwater sources: the investigation in Changsha, China

Researchers measured microplastic abundance at multiple stages of a drinking water supply chain in Changsha, China — from source freshwater through treatment to household taps — finding that water treatment reduced MP concentrations by more than 85% but tap water still contained an average of 344 particles per liter.

2021 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 168 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

Tracking Microplastics Contamination in Drinking Water Supply Chain in Haikou, China: From Source to Household Taps

Researchers tracked microplastic contamination throughout the entire drinking water supply chain in Haikou, China, from source water to household taps. They found that while water treatment reduced some microplastic content, treated water actually showed higher concentrations than raw water, suggesting contamination during the treatment process itself. The study provides a health risk assessment indicating that microplastic exposure through tap water warrants continued monitoring.

2024 Toxics 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics throughout a tap water supply network

Researchers evaluated microplastic presence throughout a large tap water distribution network, detecting microplastics at multiple points from treatment plant to consumer taps and finding that concentrations increased along the distribution system, suggesting the pipe network itself as a contamination source.

2021 Water and Environment Journal 31 citations
Article Tier 2

The Detection and Analysis of Microplastics in a Typical Mountainous Drinking Water System in China

Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in a mountainous drinking water system in rural China and found that microplastic concentrations increased along the pipeline length, with simple filtration facilities failing to effectively remove most particles. Polyethylene, polyurethane, and PET were the dominant polymers, with most particles smaller than 100 micrometers. The estimated daily intake was highest for infants, highlighting the particular vulnerability of young children in remote communities with limited water treatment infrastructure.

2024 Toxics 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Tracking microplastics in a drinking water supply system proximity to industrial facilities: Occurrence, source identification, and risk assessment

Researchers comprehensively investigated microplastic occurrence, sources, and health risks in a drinking water supply system near industrial facilities, finding that a granular activated carbon filter removed 93.39% of microplastics at the treatment plant. However, microplastic abundance increased during distribution, highlighting post-treatment contamination as a critical but underappreciated exposure pathway.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in urban water cycles: Looking for a more scientific approach for sampling and characterization in wastewater and drinking water treatment plants

Researchers monitored microplastics in urban water cycles across three drinking water plants and two wastewater treatment plants using a self-designed large-volume sampler that collected up to 1,000 liters per sample. Raw drinking water and wastewater contained 2 or more microplastic particles per liter, highlighting contamination across the urban water system.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 9 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

[Spatial and Temporal Variation Characterization and Variability of Microplastics in Water-borne River and Reservoir].

A study comparing microplastic levels in a river and a reservoir used as drinking water sources in Guangdong, China found meaningful differences in contamination patterns across seasons and locations. The findings underscore that drinking water source protection strategies need to account for microplastic pollution, as these particles can enter the water supply before treatment.

2026 PubMed
Article Tier 2

Spatial and vertical distribution of microplastics and their ecological risk in an Indian freshwater lake ecosystem

Researchers mapped the spatial and vertical distribution of microplastics in Kodaikanal Lake, a popular tourist destination in India that also serves as a water source for downstream communities. They found microplastics in surface water, surface sediment, and deeper sediment cores, with the highest concentrations near areas of heavy tourist activity. The study highlights how human activities directly influence microplastic contamination patterns in freshwater ecosystems used for drinking water.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 89 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in water supply systems: In water and pipe scales

Researchers found microplastics present throughout drinking water supply systems, both in treated water and accumulated within pipe scales, with concentrations in pipe scales being significantly higher than in the water itself.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 113 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in surface waters and sediments of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China

Researchers sampled surface waters and sediments of the Three Gorges Reservoir in China and found microplastic contamination throughout, with concentrations influenced by water flow dynamics and proximity to human settlements.

2017 The Science of The Total Environment 896 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics detection and characterisation in the urban water cycle of Geneva, Switzerland: Assessing the supply network impacts

Researchers conducted a comprehensive survey of microplastic contamination across Geneva's entire urban water cycle, from raw water sources through drinking water treatment to wastewater plant effluents. They found that conventional drinking water treatment removed 97% of microplastics, but the distribution network itself reintroduced contamination, increasing levels from 10 to roughly 25 particles per cubic meter. The study highlights that water supply infrastructure is an overlooked source of microplastic exposure for consumers.

2025 Chemosphere 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in China’s surface water systems: Distribution, driving forces and ecological risk

Researchers compiled over 14,000 samples from across China to map microplastic pollution in surface water systems using machine learning models. They found that microplastic abundance varied enormously across regions, driven by a complex mix of human activities and natural conditions. The ecological risk assessment revealed that watersheds in nearly all Chinese provinces face high to extremely high contamination levels, underscoring the urgency of nationwide management efforts.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 8 citations