Papers

20 results
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Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in Taihu Lake: Spatial distribution from the lake inlet to the lake centre and vertical stratification in the water column

Researchers mapped microplastic distribution in Taihu Lake from the inlet to the center and at different water depths. They found that concentrations were highest near the inlet and decreased toward the lake center, while vertical distribution showed accumulation patterns influenced by water movement and particle density. The study improves understanding of how microplastics move and settle within large freshwater lake systems.

2024 Environmental Pollution 21 citations
Article Tier 2

Vertical Distribution of Microplastics in the Water Column and Surficial Sediment from the Milwaukee River Basin to Lake Michigan

Microplastics were measured in water surface, water subsurface, and sediment samples along the Milwaukee River continuum to Lake Michigan, finding density-dependent vertical distribution with low-density polymers concentrated at the surface and high-density polymers in sediments. The study demonstrates a clear polymer partitioning pattern with depth in freshwater systems.

2019 Environmental Science & Technology 440 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics accumulate to thin layers in the stratified Baltic Sea

Researchers found that microplastics accumulate preferentially at density-driven stratification layers (halocline and thermocline) in the Baltic Sea, demonstrating that water column stratification significantly influences microplastic vertical distribution and may concentrate particles at biologically active depth boundaries.

2020 Environmental Pollution 119 citations
Article Tier 2

Vertical distribution of microplastics in the sediment profiles of the Lake Taihu, eastern China

Researchers analyzed vertical microplastic distribution in sediment cores from Lake Taihu, China, finding microplastics at all depths down to 50 cm with total abundances of up to 8,100 particles/kg dry weight, suggesting that surface sediment sampling significantly underestimates total microplastic storage.

2022 Sustainable Environment Research 22 citations
Article Tier 2

Seasonal disparities in vertical distributions of microplastics and driving factors in a deep reservoir

Researchers studied microplastic distribution at different depths in a deep reservoir in southwest China and found that concentrations generally increased from the water surface to the bottom. The study revealed seasonal differences in vertical transport patterns, with low-density polymers like polyethylene dominating surface waters while denser particles accumulated in deeper layers.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials 1 citations
Article Tier 2

The Vertical Distribution of Microplastics in the Water Column of Lake Ladoga

Researchers measured the vertical distribution of microplastics in the water column of Lake Ladoga, Russia's largest lake, collecting samples at multiple depths and characterizing particle types and concentrations. Microplastic concentrations were highest in surface waters but significant quantities were found at depth, with fibres predominating throughout the water column.

2024 Water Resources 7 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

Tracing the journey of microplastics in lake from surface water to accumulation in the sediments

Researchers conducted a comprehensive seasonal monitoring study of microplastics in an urban lake in Latvia, tracking distribution in surface water, measuring sediment deposition rates over one year, and analyzing dated sediment archives to determine which environmental compartment best represents long-term microplastic pollution trends. The study aimed to identify the most suitable monitoring matrix and establish standardized sampling protocols for freshwater microplastic research.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Systematic CFD-based evaluation of physical factors influencing the spatiotemporal distribution patterns of microplastic particles in lakes

Researchers used computational fluid dynamics simulations to systematically evaluate how lake depth, bathymetry, wind, temperature, particle size, and release conditions influence microplastic distribution patterns in lakes. Maximum depth had the strongest effect on residence time in the water column, followed by particle size, with 10-micrometer particles remaining suspended for nearly a month in deep thermally stratified lakes.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Vertical Differentiation of Microplastics Influenced by Thermal Stratification in a Deep Reservoir

Researchers investigated how thermal stratification affects the vertical distribution of microplastics in a deep reservoir. The study found for the first time that thermal stratification interfaces act as buffer areas that retard microplastic sinking, with a size-selection phenomenon where larger microplastics (over 300 micrometers) were particularly susceptible to accumulation at these density transition zones.

2023 Environmental Science & Technology 21 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic content variation in water column: The observations employing a novel sampling tool in stratified Baltic Sea

Researchers developed a novel sampling tool capable of collecting several cubic metres of water from predefined depth layers down to 100 m and used it to investigate microplastic distribution in the stratified Baltic Sea during spring thermocline formation. They found strong vertical microplastic stratification at all stations, with fibre-rich surface layers near terrestrial sources and offshore variability linked to thermohaline structure.

2018 Marine Pollution Bulletin 150 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in the Water Column of Western Lake Superior

Researchers sampled the pelagic water column and air-water interface at four locations in western Lake Superior to characterize the presence and depth distribution of microplastics under both stratified and unstratified seasonal conditions. Results confirmed microplastics are present throughout the Lake Superior water column, revealing that surface-only sampling significantly underestimates total microplastic loads in this Great Lakes system.

2022 ACS ES&T Water 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Quantifying microplastic residence times in lakes using mesocosm experiments and 1D random walk model

Researchers combined in-lake mesocosm experiments with 1D random walk modeling to quantify microplastic residence times across three size fractions (1-5, 28-48, and 53-63 micrometers) in a 12 m deep lake, measuring residence times of 1-24 days during summer stratification and autumn turnover periods over one year.

2024
Article Tier 2

Microplastic concentrations, size distribution, and polymer types in the surface waters of a northern European lake

Microplastics were detected in surface waters of a northern European lake, with concentrations, size distributions, and polymer types characterized across multiple sampling sites and seasons. The study adds to growing evidence that even relatively pristine boreal lakes are contaminated with microplastics, likely from atmospheric deposition and tributary inflow.

2019 Water Environment Research 216 citations
Article Tier 2

Lake sediments as microplastic sink: The case of three lakes from Northern and Central Poland

Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in bottom sediments from three lakes in northern and central Poland with low surrounding human activity, finding between 4 and 21 microplastic particles per kilogram of wet sediment. These values were low compared to lakes in urbanized areas, suggesting anthropogenic pressure significantly drives sediment microplastic accumulation.

2024 Quaestiones Geographicae 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Review of microplastics in lakes: sources, distribution characteristics, and environmental effects

This review analyzes microplastic pollution in lakes worldwide and finds that contamination levels are higher in shallower lakes near populated areas with more human activity. Microplastics accumulate heavily in lake sediments and can also be trapped in seasonal ice, only to be released during warming periods. Since many communities rely on lakes for drinking water and fishing, understanding how microplastics concentrate in these freshwater systems is critical for protecting public health.

2023 Carbon Research 77 citations
Article Tier 2

Horizontal and vertical distribution of microplastics in Gehu Lake, China

Researchers analyzed the horizontal and vertical distribution of microplastics at different water depths across Gehu Lake in China, finding microplastics present throughout all depth layers with surface water showing the highest abundance (3.13 plus or minus 0.32 items/L) and bottom water the lowest (1.03 plus or minus 0.14 items/L). They found that most microplastic particles ranged from 100 to 500 micrometers in size with fibrous shapes predominating, and identified polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene as the main polymer types in the lake.

2022 Water Science & Technology Water Supply 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial distribution of microplastics in volcanic lake water and sediments: Relationships with depth and sediment grain size

Microplastics were mapped in both water and sediment across depth gradients in a volcanic lake, finding that plastic concentrations increased with depth in sediments and were related to sediment grain size. The study provides rare data on microplastic distribution in volcanic lake systems and highlights sediment accumulation as a long-term plastic sink.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 46 citations
Article Tier 2

Horizontal and vertical distribution of microplastics in dam reservoir after impoundment

Microplastic distribution was mapped both horizontally and vertically in a Chinese reservoir after impoundment, revealing that plastics were not uniformly distributed but concentrated in specific depth layers and spatial zones influenced by water flow and stratification. The study provides insight into how dam reservoirs trap and accumulate microplastics from river inputs.

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

Horizontal and vertical distribution of microplastics in the Wuliangsuhai Lake sediment, northern China

Horizontal and vertical distribution of microplastics in sediments of Wuliangsuhai Lake in Inner Mongolia, China was investigated to understand accumulation patterns in a shallow lake ecosystem. Microplastics were found throughout the lake sediments with depth-dependent vertical profiles, revealing the lake as a substantial reservoir for plastic particle accumulation.

2020 The Science of The Total Environment 128 citations