Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Microplastics Are Contaminants of Emerging Concern in Freshwater Environments: An Overview

This overview examines the emerging problem of microplastic contamination in freshwater environments, covering sources, occurrence, and potential effects on aquatic ecosystems. The authors discuss how microplastics enter lakes and rivers through wastewater treatment plants, runoff, and degradation of larger plastic debris. The review highlights that freshwater microplastic pollution deserves the same research attention as marine contamination, given that rivers serve as major transport pathways for plastics reaching the ocean.

2017 ˜The œhandbook of environmental chemistry 384 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

Microplastic Contamination, an Emerging Threat to the Freshwater Environment and Human Health: A Systematic Review

This systematic review summarizes existing research on microplastic contamination in freshwater environments and its implications for human health. The evidence shows that microplastics are widespread in rivers, lakes, and drinking water sources, and they can absorb toxic chemicals, making freshwater plastic pollution a direct concern for the safety of our water supply.

2023 Preprints.org 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in freshwater systems: A review of classification, sources, and environmental impacts

This review summarizes existing research on microplastic pollution in freshwater systems including rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, noting that these particles absorb pollutants and leach chemical additives into the water. Humans face potential health risks from drinking contaminated water and eating freshwater fish and shellfish that have accumulated microplastics.

2024 Chemical Engineering Journal Advances 69 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

Microplastic contamination, an emerging threat to the freshwater environment: a systematic review

Researchers systematically reviewed the spread of microplastics in freshwater ecosystems — rivers, lakes, and streams — documenting their sources, how they move through water, the damage they cause to aquatic organisms, and the methods used to detect them. Their review serves as a baseline reference for future research and calls for improved waste management to protect freshwater environments from ongoing microplastic contamination.

2024 ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH 98 citations
Article Tier 2

Impacts of Microplastics as Contaminants in Freshwater Ecosystems and Human Food Chain

This review examines the impacts of microplastics on freshwater ecosystems and human food chains, tracing how plastic particles enter rivers and lakes, accumulate in fish and invertebrates, and transfer to humans through consumption of contaminated freshwater species.

2025
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Freshwater Systems: A Review on Its Accumulation and Effects on Fishes

This review covers the accumulation and effects of microplastics in freshwater fish, including how fish ingest them through feeding and the physical and chemical harm they can cause. Since many freshwater fish species are consumed by humans, the findings are relevant to food safety.

2018 Preprints.org 8 citations
Review Tier 2

Microplastics in freshwater systems: A review on occurrence, environmental effects, and methods for microplastics detection

This review summarizes the current understanding of microplastic contamination in freshwater systems, from sources like wastewater treatment plants to their effects on aquatic life. Researchers note that microplastics can carry toxic chemicals and have been shown to cause intestinal damage and metabolic changes in fish. The paper highlights that freshwater microplastic pollution is a significant and growing concern that warrants more research attention.

2017 Water Research 2136 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in the environment: A critical overview on its fate, toxicity, implications, management, and bioremediation strategies

This review provides a broad overview of microplastic pollution, covering how these particles enter freshwater systems, accumulate in organisms, and carry toxic chemicals through the food chain. With approximately 360 million tons of plastic produced globally each year and only 7% recycled, microplastics have become a pervasive threat to water quality and, by extension, human health.

2023 Journal of Environmental Management 252 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Freshwater Ecosystems: Sources, Transport and Ecotoxicological Impacts on Aquatic Life and Human Health

This review summarizes how microplastics enter freshwater ecosystems from sources like industrial runoff, urban waste, and agriculture, and how they accumulate in sediments where aquatic organisms ingest them. Researchers found that microplastics reduce feeding efficiency, inhibit growth, and harm reproduction in freshwater species, while also acting as carriers for toxic chemicals that build up through the food chain. The study highlights the need for better waste management and further research to understand the full scope of risks to both aquatic life and human health.

2025 Environment and Ecology 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Aquatic Environments and Their Toxicological Implications for Fish

This review summarizes research on microplastic occurrence in freshwater and marine environments and the toxicological risks they pose to fish, examining both direct physical effects and the role of plastics as vectors for chemical pollutants. The authors highlight that freshwater fish are particularly vulnerable given the high loads of microplastics in rivers receiving wastewater.

2016 InTech eBooks 61 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Aquatic Ecosystems: A Critical Review of Sources, Transport Mechanisms and Ecotoxicological Risks

This review provides a broad overview of microplastic pollution in rivers, oceans, and other aquatic environments, covering where these particles come from, how they move through water systems, and the harm they can cause. Evidence indicates that microplastics accumulate toxins and disrupt growth, feeding, and reproduction in aquatic species, with potential consequences for human health through seafood and drinking water. The authors stress the need for better global monitoring, stronger waste management systems, and development of eco-friendly plastic alternatives.

2025 Asian Journal of Environment & Ecology 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Pollution in Fresh Water

This review summarizes current knowledge on microplastic pollution in freshwater systems, covering sources such as atmospheric deposition, stormwater runoff, and wastewater, as well as the diverse shapes, sizes, and polymer types found in rivers and lakes. The authors highlight that freshwater microplastic contamination is comparable in scale to marine contamination and that the pathways to human health via drinking water and food supply demand urgent policy attention.

2023 INTERANTIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IN ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT 2 citations
Review Tier 2

Microplastics in freshwater systems: A review of the emerging threats, identification of knowledge gaps and prioritisation of research needs

This review synthesizes the growing body of research on microplastic contamination in freshwater rivers, lakes, and sediments, which has received far less attention than marine environments. Researchers found that freshwater microplastic concentrations can rival or exceed those reported in ocean studies, particularly near urban and industrial areas. The study identifies critical knowledge gaps including the lack of standardized sampling methods and limited understanding of how microplastics affect freshwater organisms and ecosystems.

2015 Water Research 2541 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessing and Managing Microplastic Risks in Freshwater Fisheries: Exposure Pathways and Toxicological Evidence

This review assessed microplastic exposure pathways and toxicological risks for freshwater fish in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and aquaculture ponds, covering ingestion, trophic transfer, and chemical co-contaminant effects. The authors concluded that freshwater fish face substantial microplastic risk and outlined monitoring and risk management strategies for fisheries managers.

2025 Asian Journal of Research in Zoology
Article Tier 2

Riverine microplastics and their interaction with freshwater fish

This paper reviews how microplastics enter river systems, how they move through waterways, and the risks they pose to freshwater fish. Researchers found that fish ingest microplastics that can accumulate in organs and carry toxic chemicals absorbed from the water. The review highlights that river fish, an important food source for many communities, face growing exposure to microplastics from urban runoff, wastewater, and agricultural sources.

2023 Water Biology and Security 39 citations
Article Tier 2

Impacts of microplastics in freshwater systems

This review summarized scientific knowledge about microplastic impacts in freshwater systems, covering sources, distribution, ingestion by organisms, and potential ecological effects. It identifies freshwater ecosystems as both reservoirs and pathways for microplastic transport to the oceans, with impacts on freshwater biodiversity and potentially on drinking water quality.

2017 Portuguese National Funding Agency for Science, Research and Technology (RCAAP Project by FCT)
Article Tier 2

Assessing the Effects of Microplastics on Freshwater Fish

This review examines the growing body of research on how microplastics affect freshwater fish, documenting evidence of ingestion, tissue damage, immune system impairment, and gastrointestinal obstruction across multiple species. Researchers highlight that microplastics from personal care products and degraded plastic goods are accumulating in freshwater ecosystems at concerning rates. The study warns that combined with existing threats like overfishing and habitat loss, microplastic pollution could accelerate population declines in vulnerable fish species.

2024 International Journal of Nature and Life Sciences 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Effect of microplastics in water and aquatic systems

This review examines the sources, distribution, and effects of microplastics in water and aquatic systems globally. Researchers found that microplastics are ingested by a wide range of aquatic organisms, leading to accumulation of toxic substances and disruption of physiological functions. The study highlights the urgent need for better waste management policies and further research into the long-term ecological consequences of microplastic pollution in freshwater and marine environments.

2021 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 747 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in aquatic environments with special emphasis on riverine systems: Current understanding and way forward

This review examines microplastic pollution in freshwater riverine systems, which serve as a critical link between terrestrial and marine environments. Researchers found that rivers are significantly contaminated with microplastics of varying sizes and morphologies, and that these particles can exhibit variable toxicity to aquatic organisms, highlighting the need for more research on freshwater microplastic impacts.

2021 Journal of Environmental Management 83 citations
Article Tier 2

Sources, Occurrence, and Analysis of Microplastics in Freshwater Environments

This review summarizes current knowledge on microplastic sources and occurrence in freshwater environments, noting that freshwater systems are major conduits delivering microplastics to the ocean. The review highlights that freshwater microplastic research lags far behind marine studies despite rivers and lakes being primary pollution pathways.

2022 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Freshwater Microplastics

This book chapter or review provided a comprehensive overview of freshwater microplastics — covering sources, occurrence, transport pathways, and ecological impacts in rivers and lakes globally.

2017 ˜The œhandbook of environmental chemistry 661 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic (MP) Pollution in Aquatic Ecosystems and Environmental Impact on Aquatic Animals

This review summarizes the current state of microplastic pollution across freshwater and marine ecosystems worldwide. Researchers found that microplastics are now virtually everywhere in aquatic environments, entering food chains through ingestion by organisms ranging from tiny invertebrates to large fish. The study highlights that microplastics also act as carriers for toxic chemicals, compounding their potential harm to wildlife and, ultimately, to people who consume seafood.

2024 UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics as vectors of chemical contaminants and biological agents in freshwater ecosystems: Current knowledge status and future perspectives

This review examines how microplastics in freshwater ecosystems act as carriers for chemical pollutants and harmful microorganisms. Researchers found that pollutant concentrations on microplastic surfaces can be up to six times higher than in surrounding water, amplifying exposure risks for aquatic life and potentially humans. The findings highlight that microplastics are not just a pollution problem themselves but also a vehicle that spreads other contaminants through the food web.

2023 Environmental Pollution 162 citations
Review Tier 2

Pollution of Freshwater Ecosystems by Microplastics: A Short Review on Degradation, Distribution, and Interaction with Aquatic Biota

This review synthesizes published literature on the distribution, degradation, and ecological interactions of microplastics in freshwater ecosystems globally. The paper covers MP distribution patterns, interactions with heavy metals in freshwater, and documented uptake by aquatic organisms along with associated biological impacts.

2023 Sohag Journal of Sciences 5 citations