We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Papers
61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to An analysis of microlitter and microplastics from Lake Superior beach sand and surface-water
ClearMicroplastics 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.
Plastics in Paradise: Quantifying Microplastics in Lake Champlain Beaches
Researchers quantified and characterized microplastics on Lake Champlain beaches, finding contamination at all sampled sites with fragments and fibers as the dominant particle types. The study documents that even inland freshwater shorelines accumulate significant microplastic loads over time.
Microplastic pollution in the surface waters of the Laurentian Great Lakes
Researchers documented microplastic pollution across the surface waters of the Laurentian Great Lakes, finding contamination in all lakes sampled — particularly Lake Erie — with fibers as the dominant particle type, highlighting plastic pollution in a critical freshwater system.
Plastic Debris in 29 Great Lakes Tributaries: Relations to Watershed Attributes and Hydrology
Researchers surveyed plastic debris in 29 Great Lakes tributaries and found widespread contamination, with higher debris loads associated with larger watershed populations, more impervious land surface, and greater storm drain density.
Source-specific categorization of microplastics in nearshore surface waters of the Great Lakes
A source-specific characterization study of microplastics in nearshore surface waters of the Great Lakes found the highest abundances near urban centers, with distinct polymer and color signatures linking particles to packaging, fibers, and industrial sources.
A Qualitative and Quantitative Assessment of Microplastics in the Shorelines of Urban Lakes
Researchers conducted a qualitative and quantitative assessment of microplastics in shoreline sediments of urban lakes, addressing a gap in research that has largely focused on the water column rather than the zone where water and land meet.
A Multicompartment Assessment of Microplastic Contamination in Semi-remote Boreal Lakes
Researchers assessed microplastic contamination across multiple compartments of semi-remote boreal lakes in northwestern Ontario, Canada. The study found that microplastics were present even in these relatively isolated oligotrophic lakes, with fibers being the dominant particle type, suggesting atmospheric deposition and limited local sources as likely pathways.
Microplastics in 132 Iowa lakes and variability in relation to abiotic, biotic, and anthropogenic factors
Researchers surveyed microplastic concentrations across 132 lakes in Iowa, finding that microplastics were nearly ubiquitous even in rural, minimally developed lakes — though concentrations were higher in lakes near urban areas, agricultural land, and higher human population density. Fiber-type microplastics were most common, consistent with patterns seen globally. The broad survey across diverse lake types provides compelling evidence that microplastic contamination of freshwater lakes is widespread across the American Midwest, not limited to industrial or highly urbanized regions.
Microplastic contamination of sandy beaches of national parks, protected and recreational areas in southern parts of the Baltic Sea
Researchers found microplastic contamination in all 51 surface beach sand samples across seven sites along the southern Baltic Sea, including national park and protected areas, at a mean of 68 items/kg dry weight. Expanded polystyrene fragments were the most common type (~38%), and protected areas did not differ substantially from recreational beaches.
The effect of tourism on microplastic pollution amount in Baltic Sea Region lakes
Researchers measured microplastic pollution in surface water and sediments from 10 lakes in Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland across spring, summer, and autumn 2023, finding that tourism pressure in lake catchment areas correlates with elevated microplastic contamination levels.
Plastic Microbead Accumulation in our Freshwaters:North American Great Lakes Assessments and Perspective
This paper reviews microplastic sampling studies across the North American Great Lakes, one of the world's largest freshwater systems. High concentrations of plastic microbeads and fibers were found even in remote nature reserves, far from major urban centers. The authors call for stricter product regulations and improved wastewater treatment to reduce microplastic input to these vital water bodies.
Size Distributions of Microplastics in the St Louis Estuary and Western Lake Superior
Researchers mapped the sizes, shapes, and types of microplastics in western Lake Superior and its harbor, finding roughly similar overall counts but meaningful differences in composition. Harbor samples near urban areas had larger particles and more diverse plastic types, while standard counting methods significantly underestimated the smallest particles (under 45 micrometers), highlighting gaps in how we measure microplastic pollution in freshwater.
Monitoring of microplastic concentrations in 132 Iowa lakes in relation to abiotic, biotic, and anthropogenic factors
Researchers surveyed microplastic concentrations in 132 lakes across Iowa, examining how biological, physical, and human factors influence plastic levels. Lakes near populated areas and with greater human activity showed higher microplastic concentrations, demonstrating that freshwater lakes are broadly contaminated by plastic pollution.
Microplastic contamination in Great Lakes fish
Researchers examined microplastic contamination in seven species of fish from Lake Ontario and Lake Superior, finding anthropogenic particles in the gastrointestinal tracts of fish from both lakes. The study documented higher concentrations in Lake Ontario, likely reflecting greater surrounding population density and urban input, and confirmed the particles were synthetic polymers through chemical analysis.
Occurrence, distribution and size relationships of plastic debris along shores and sediment of northern Lake Victoria
Researchers investigated the occurrence, distribution, and size of plastic debris along shores and sediment of northern Lake Victoria, finding micro-, meso-, and macro-plastics up to 1102 particles/kg dry sediment in shoreline sediment, with contamination significantly higher near fish landing beaches than recreational beaches.
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.
Pollution of Beach Sand from Selected Recreational Reservoirs by Microplastics
Researchers analyzed beach sand samples from three recreational reservoirs in southern Poland (Silesian Voivodship) to assess microplastic pollution levels in freshwater beach environments. The study found microplastics present in beach sand across all sampled sites, contributing to evidence that sediments and beach sands serve as long-term microplastic sinks in aquatic environments.
Categorization of plastic debris on sixty-six beaches of the Laurentian Great Lakes, North America
Researchers categorized 21,592 plastic debris items from 66 beaches across the Laurentian Great Lakes and found that pre-production plastic pellets dominated at 58% of total items, with the highest densities exceeding 800 items/m2 at beaches near industrial areas in Ontario, Canada.
Variability of microplastic loading and retention in four inland lakes in Minnesota, USA
Researchers measured microplastic levels in four small lakes in Minnesota and found that watershed size and urban development were the biggest factors driving contamination. Surface water concentrations varied widely, and sediment levels did not directly correlate with what was found in the water above. The study highlights how local land use patterns influence where microplastics end up in freshwater ecosystems.
Microplastic contamination in Lake Winnipeg, Canada
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in Lake Winnipeg, Canada, finding widespread pollution across the lake with fibers as the dominant particle type, reflecting inputs from the surrounding watershed and atmospheric deposition.
Sources and sinks of microplastics in Canadian Lake Ontario nearshore, tributary and beach sediments
Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in Lake Ontario sediments from nearshore areas, tributaries, and beaches to map pollution patterns. They found the highest concentrations near urban and industrial zones, particularly in Toronto Harbour, where levels exceeded 500 particles per kilogram of sediment. The study identifies wastewater outflows and urban runoff as key sources of microplastic pollution in the Great Lakes region.