Papers

61,005 results
|
Article Tier 2

Seasonal variations of microplastics in surface water and sediment in an inland river drinking water source in southern China

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in surface water and sediment of a southern China river used as a drinking water source during both flooding and dry seasons. They found microplastic abundances were generally higher during the dry period, with fibers being the dominant type and polyethylene the most common polymer. The study suggests that seasonal hydrological changes significantly affect microplastic distribution in inland drinking water sources.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 54 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial–Temporal and Risk Assessment of Microplastics in the Surface Water of the Qinhuai River during Different Rainfall Seasons in Nanjing City, China

Researchers conducted a spatial-temporal analysis of microplastic contamination and risk in a river system across multiple seasons and sites, finding that concentrations varied significantly with location and time of year. Urban and industrial zones showed the highest microplastic loads and associated ecological risk.

2024 Water 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and pollution characteristics of microplastics in surface water of the Manas River Basin, China

Microplastics were found throughout the surface water of the Manas River Basin in China's Xinjiang region, with fibers being the dominant type and concentrations varying by location and season. The study documents plastic pollution in a relatively remote inland river system, suggesting widespread contamination even far from coastal and urban centers.

2019 The Science of The Total Environment 161 citations
Article Tier 2

Seasonal influence on pollution index and risk of multiple compositions of microplastics in an urban river

A seasonal study of microplastics in an urban river in China found higher abundance in the dry season (183 items per square meter) compared to the wet season (102 items per square meter). Risk assessment indicated that fibers and small fragments posed the greatest ecological risk, with polymer-specific hazard quotients varying by season.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 47 citations
Article Tier 2

Understanding the seasonal variation of the microplastics occurrence and source in the water source: upstream of the Huangpu River in Shanghai as an example

This study examined seasonal variation in microplastic occurrence and potential sources in a monitored water system, finding higher MP concentrations during warmer months and identifying runoff from plastic-intensive land uses as the dominant seasonal driver.

2025 Environmental Research 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatio-temporal distribution of microplastics in surface water of typical urban rivers in North China, risk assessment and influencing factors

Researchers measured microplastic levels in two urban rivers in North China across wet and dry seasons and found that concentrations generally increased from upstream to downstream. The most common plastics were polyethylene and polypropylene fibers, with natural factors dominating upstream and human activities driving pollution downstream. The study provides a reference for understanding how urbanization contributes to microplastic contamination in river systems.

2025 Journal of Contaminant Hydrology 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics pollution in inland aquatic ecosystems of India with a global perspective on sources, composition, and spatial distribution

Researchers reviewed microplastic contamination in India's rivers, lakes, and wetlands, finding widespread pollution across water, sediment, and wildlife, with concentrations peaking during monsoon season due to runoff. The review highlights a critical gap: most studies don't account for how water flow and seasonal variation affect where microplastics go, making it hard to gauge the true health risk to people and ecosystems.

2024 Journal of Hydrology Regional Studies 18 citations
Article Tier 2

Abundance, Composition, and Potential Ecological Risks of Microplastics in Surface Water at Different Seasons in the Pearl River Delta, China

Researchers measured microplastic abundance, composition, and ecological risk in surface water of the Pearl River Delta across different seasons, finding spatially uneven distribution with some sites showing far higher concentrations than others. Ecological risk scores were highest at sites near industrial zones and dense urban areas.

2022 Water 19 citations
Article Tier 2

Temporal and Spatial Distribution Characteristics of Microplastics and Their Influencing Factors in the Lincheng River, Zhoushan City, China

Researchers analyzed temporal and spatial distribution patterns of microplastics in the Lincheng River in Zhoushan, China, finding that microplastic abundance is influenced by seasonal runoff, land use, and proximity to urban and industrial sources before entering the ocean.

2023 Processes 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Characteristics, drivers and ecological risk assessment of microplastics in the surface water of urban rivers in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area cities - A case study of Dongguan city

Researchers investigated microplastic characteristics and ecological risks in surface water of three urban rivers in Dongguan City within the Greater Bay Area of southern China. They found that average microplastic abundance during the wet season was 4.7 times higher than the dry season, with industrial activity along riverbanks driving the differences in contamination. Risk assessments indicated medium-high to high ecological risk classifications for the rivers studied.

2024 Environmental Pollution 18 citations
Article Tier 2

Environmental fate of microplastics in an urban river: Spatial distribution and seasonal variation

Researchers investigated microplastic distribution along an urban river in Guangzhou, China, finding that abundance increased from upstream to midstream and decreased toward the estuary, with seasonal variation linked to rainfall and human activity patterns.

2023 Environmental Pollution 56 citations
Article Tier 2

A comprehensive evaluation of microplastic pollution in the Xiangshan Bay of China with special reference to seasonal variation

Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in the semi-enclosed Xiangshan Bay in China across spring and summer seasons. The study found that microplastic abundance in surface water was significantly higher in summer than spring, with different pollution sources dominating each season — textile industry in spring and fishery production in summer — suggesting seasonal human activities strongly influence microplastic contamination patterns.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 20 citations
Article Tier 2

Seasonal pulse effect of microplastics in the river catchment-From tributary catchment to mainstream

Researchers tracked seasonal variation in microplastic concentrations in the Liangfeng River catchment in China using fluorescence-based detection, finding seasonal pulses of microplastic contamination driven by rainfall and land use patterns, and documenting microplastic migration from tributary to mainstream.

2023 Journal of Environmental Management 28 citations
Article Tier 2

Unseen riverine risk: Spatio-temporal shifts of microplastic pollution and its bioavailability in freshwater fish within the Ikopa River urban system

This study tracked spatio-temporal shifts in microplastic pollution concentrations in a river system, linking concentration changes to seasonal flow dynamics and identifying hot spots of accumulation that pose elevated risk to aquatic biota.

2024 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatiotemporal dynamics of microplastics in an urban river network area

Researchers investigated microplastic dynamics in an urban river network in eastern China, finding abundances of 2.3 to 104.6 particles per liter that were significantly higher during wet seasons and concentrated near commercial, industrial, and wastewater discharge areas.

2022 Water Research 161 citations
Article Tier 2

The seasonal variation and ecological risk of microplastics in the Lower Ganges River, Bangladesh

Researchers characterized seasonal variation in microplastic abundance and polymer composition in the lower Ganges River, finding that monsoon flows dramatically increase microplastic loads and that dry season concentrations reflect local urban pollution.

2024 Water Environment Research 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial and Temporal Distribution Characteristics and Potential Sources of Microplastic Pollution in China’s Freshwater Environments

Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution across freshwater environments in 21 major Chinese cities and found an average concentration of about 3,500 particles per cubic meter. The most common types were fibers, and concentrations generally increased from western to eastern China, closely tracking levels of human activity. The study found that microplastic abundance peaked in summer, likely driven by increased rainfall washing particles into waterways.

2024 Water 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Temporal and spatial variation of microplastics in the urban rivers of Harbin

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in two urban rivers in Harbin, China, across both dry and wet seasons. The study found that polypropylene and polyethylene were the dominant polymers in surface water, while PVC and PET were most common in sediment, with domestic wastewater and rainfall runoff as the main sources. Evidence indicates that riparian vegetation along the riverbanks helped reduce microplastic migration through natural filtration processes.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 45 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution of the Tamsui River and its tributaries in northern Taiwan: Spatial heterogeneity and correlation with precipitation

Researchers investigated microplastic pollution in the Tamsui River and its tributaries in northern Taiwan, collecting samples over three months. They found microplastics in every sample, with concentrations varying widely between rivers, from 2.5 to 83.7 particles per cubic meter. The study found a positive correlation between rainfall and microplastic abundance, suggesting that precipitation washes plastic debris from land into waterways.

2020 Environmental Pollution 201 citations
Article Tier 2

Seasonal variation and ecological risk assessment of microplastics ingested by economic fishes in Lake Chaohu, China

Researchers examined seasonal variation in microplastic concentrations in economic fish species from Lake Chaohu, China, finding differences between wet and dry seasons and assessing the ecological risk of microplastic contamination in freshwater fisheries.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 26 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
Article Tier 2

Spatiotemporal and vertical distribution characteristics and ecological risks of microplastics in typical shallow lakes in northern China

Researchers studied how microplastics are distributed across water, the viscous sublayer, and sediment layers in Baiyangdian, a shallow lake in northern China, during both wet and dry seasons. They found that microplastic abundance was highest in residential areas and that the vertical distribution pattern reversed between seasons. The study highlights that seasonal water level changes significantly affect where microplastics accumulate in shallow lake ecosystems.

2025 Environmental Pollution 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Seasonal and spatial variation, and land-use influences on riverine microplastics and their ecological risks in the Yanshui River Basin

Researchers conducted year-round, basin-wide monitoring of microplastics in the Yanshui River Basin across 14 sites spanning agricultural, industrial, and urban land uses, finding average concentrations of 235.1 items/L in surface water and 20,370 items/kg in sediment. Microplastic abundance peaked at upstream agricultural and downstream drainage sites, with sediment functioning as a major accumulation sink.

2025 Journal of environmental chemical engineering
Article Tier 2

Seasonality can override the effects of anthropogenic activities on microplastic presence in invertebrate deposit feeders in an urban river system

Researchers investigated how anthropogenic land use and seasonality influence internal microplastic concentrations in midge larvae across an urban river watershed in Taiwan, finding that seasonality overrode land-use effects and that agricultural activity had a significant negative nonlinear relationship with microplastic accumulation.

2022 Journal of Hazardous Materials 13 citations