Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Seasonal variation and risk assessment of microplastics in surface water of the Manas River Basin, China

Researchers investigated seasonal variations in microplastic pollution across the Manas River Basin in China, sampling surface water during different seasons. They found that microplastic abundance varied significantly by season and location, with higher concentrations linked to agricultural runoff and urban discharge. The study provides a risk assessment framework for understanding how seasonal factors influence microplastic contamination in inland freshwater systems.

2020 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 246 citations
Article Tier 2

Homogenization of microplastics in alpine rivers: Analysis of microplastic abundance and characteristics in rivers of Qilian Mountain, China

Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in five alpine rivers in China's Qilian Mountains and found plastic particles present in all water samples. The microplastics showed similar characteristics across different rivers, suggesting a homogenization effect during transport. The findings demonstrate that microplastic pollution has reached even remote mountain river systems far from major population centers.

2023 Journal of Environmental Management 45 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics Footprints in a High-Altitude Basin of the Tibetan Plateau, China

Microplastics were detected in surface waters and sediments of a remote high-altitude basin on the Tibetan Plateau, with fibers as the dominant type and atmospheric deposition identified as the likely primary transport pathway to this pristine area far from direct human activity.

2021 Water 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in the rivers of the Tibet Plateau

Researchers collected water and sediment samples from rivers on the Tibet Plateau and found microplastic contamination even in this remote, sparsely populated region. The microplastics included fibers and fragments from synthetic textiles and packaging, likely transported by atmospheric deposition and human activity along river corridors. The study demonstrates that microplastic pollution has reached some of the most isolated freshwater systems on Earth.

2019 Environmental Pollution 545 citations
Article Tier 2

Notable ecological risks of microplastics to Minjiang River ecosystem over headwater to upstream in Eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Scientists measured microplastic pollution along 291 kilometers of the Minjiang River on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and found levels increased near more populated areas. The most common types were polyethylene and polypropylene fragments smaller than 500 micrometers. Risk assessments showed medium to very high pollution levels in the river water, raising concerns about contamination even in remote highland regions.

2025 Water Research 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Contamination in Urban, Farmland and Desert Environments along a Highway in Southern Xinjiang, China

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination along a highway in arid Xinjiang, China, finding pollution across urban, farmland, and desert environments, with polyester and polyethylene being the dominant polymer types and concentrations highest near urban areas.

2022 International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 28 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Pollution in China’s Aquatic Systems: Spatial Distribution, Transport Pathways, and Controlling Strategies

This review synthesizes recent findings on microplastic pollution across China's rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and coastal waters. Researchers found that contamination levels vary dramatically by location, with urban waterways showing the highest concentrations and polypropylene and polyethylene being the most common polymer types. The study identifies rivers as major transport pathways carrying microplastics from inland areas to the sea and evaluates strategies for reducing this pollution.

2025 Microplastics 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Characteristics of microplastic pollution in the rivers of the Fergana Valley, Central Asia

Researchers conducted the first study of microplastic pollution in rivers of the Fergana Valley in Central Asia, finding contamination across all sampled sites. The study characterized the types, shapes, and polymer composition of microplastics present in the surface waters of this previously unstudied region. The findings help fill a significant gap in understanding microplastic distribution in Central Asian waterways.

2025 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Characteristics and source-pathway of microplastics in freshwater system of China: A review

This national-scale review examines microplastic characteristics and source-pathway dynamics in Chinese freshwater systems including rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, synthesizing data showing that urban runoff, textile washing, and wastewater discharge are dominant sources. The authors identify key knowledge gaps in understanding microplastic transport from inland waters to the ocean in the world's largest plastic-producing country.

2022 Chemosphere 59 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

Occurrence, potential sources, and ecological risk assessment of microplastics in the inland river basins in Northern China

Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in a typical urban river system in Northern China, examining both surface water and sediment samples. They found that river sediments contained dramatically more microplastics than surface water, acting as a sink for this pollution, with polypropylene and polyethylene being the most common types. The study suggests that small fiber and fragment-shaped particles under 0.5 mm dominate these environments, likely originating from everyday plastic products and wastewater discharge.

2024 Marine Pollution Bulletin 23 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and risk assessment of microplastics in the Lhasa River—a remote plateau river on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China

Researchers investigated microplastic pollution in the Lhasa River on the remote Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, finding microplastics in both surface water (0.63 particles per liter) and shore sediments (0.37 particles per gram). Films and fibers were the dominant shapes, with polypropylene and polyethylene being the most common polymer types, and PVC contributing to elevated risk levels. The study reveals that even remote plateau rivers with limited human activity are contaminated by microplastics, raising concerns about their vulnerable ecosystems.

2023 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 18 citations
Article Tier 2

Pollution status of microplastics in the freshwater environment of China: a mini review

This review assessed microplastic pollution in China's freshwater environments including rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, finding widespread contamination in surface waters, sediments, and biota with variations linked to population density and industrial activity.

2022 33 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in China's inland water systems: A review of findings, methods, characteristics, effects, and management

This review synthesized findings on microplastic pollution across China's inland water systems — rivers, lakes, and reservoirs — documenting widespread contamination and identifying gaps in monitoring methods and research coverage.

2018 The Science of The Total Environment 511 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

Fate, transport, and source of microplastics in the headwaters of the Yangtze River on the Tibetan Plateau

Researchers studied microplastic pollution in the headwaters of the Yangtze River on the remote Tibetan Plateau. They found microplastics present even in this isolated region, with higher concentrations in tributaries than the main river channel. The findings suggest that microplastic contamination has reached some of the most remote freshwater sources on Earth.

2023 Journal of Hazardous Materials 34 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau lakes, China

Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in lakes across two major Chinese plateaus and found contamination even in these remote, high-altitude environments. Lakes near more human activity (Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau) had significantly higher microplastic levels than the more remote Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, with sewage, agriculture, and fishing being the main sources. The study shows that microplastic pollution reaches even supposedly pristine environments, largely through human activity and atmospheric transport.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 35 citations
Article Tier 2

The occurrence and abundance of microplastics in surface water and sediment of the West River downstream, in the south of China

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in surface water and sediment of the West River downstream in southern China. They found microplastics in all samples, with concentrations ranging widely and fibers being the dominant shape. The study suggests that the downstream section of the West River serves as both a conduit and accumulation zone for microplastic pollution heading toward coastal waters.

2020 The Science of The Total Environment 200 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution and characteristics of microplastics in urban waters of seven cities in the Tuojiang River basin, China

Microplastics were detected in water across all seven cities surveyed in the Tuojiang River basin of southwest China, with fiber the most common form and polypropylene the dominant polymer. Cities with greater industrial economic output had higher microplastic concentrations, linking manufacturing activity to freshwater plastic pollution.

2020 Environmental Research 152 citations
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 variability of microplastic pollution on surface of rivers in a mountain-plain transitional area: A case study in the Chin Ling-Wei River Plain, China

Researchers measured microplastic pollution in surface waters from mountain tributaries to the main stream in the Chin Ling-Wei River Plain in China. They found concentrations ranging from 2.3 to 21 items per liter, with higher levels in the main stream compared to tributaries, and 82% of particles being fragments and films. The study suggests that as rivers flow from mountains to more developed plains, microplastic pollution risk increases sharply due to more diverse land use and human activity.

2022 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 59 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in inland freshwater environments with different regional functions: A case study on the Chengdu Plain

Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in the Minjiang River as it flows through the Chengdu Plain in China, examining abundance, composition, shape, and size in both water and sediments. The study found serious microplastic contamination in urban sections of the river, with differences linked to regional functions such as industrial, agricultural, and residential land use patterns.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 64 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial characteristics of microplastics in the high-altitude area on the Tibetan Plateau

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination across water bodies and sediments on the Tibetan Plateau, one of the most remote high-altitude regions on Earth, and found microplastics in every sample tested. Contamination levels were highest in turbid rivers and agricultural channels, and decreased at higher altitudes where there is less human activity. The study highlights that even remote, high-altitude areas are not free from microplastic pollution.

2021 Journal of Hazardous Materials 104 citations
Article Tier 2

Characteristics and sources of microplastic pollution in the water and sediments of the Jinjiang River Basin

Researchers characterized microplastic pollution across surface water, groundwater, and sediments throughout the Jinjiang River Basin in China, tracing sources via principal component analysis and documenting contamination from inland areas to the estuary.

2022 China Geology 26 citations