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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Environmental Chemical Contaminants in Food: Review of a Global Problem
ClearMicroplastic 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.
Microplastics in the Great Lakes: Environmental, Health, and Socioeconomic Implications and Future Directions
This review examined the environmental, health, and socioeconomic implications of microplastic pollution in the Great Lakes, where plastics make up the majority of litter. The study highlights that microplastics can be taken up by aquatic organisms and enter the food chain, and may also serve as vectors for chemical pollutants and pathogens, raising concerns about both ecosystem and human health impacts.
A survey on the effect of plastic pollution in the Great Lakes
This review surveys plastic pollution in the Great Lakes of North America, examining the distribution of micro-, meso-, and macroplastics across these ecologically and economically important freshwater systems. The Great Lakes contain significant quantities of microplastics from surrounding urban and industrial areas, threatening freshwater biodiversity and drinking water quality.
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.
Plastic debris in the Laurentian Great Lakes: A review
This review synthesized available data on plastic debris in the Laurentian Great Lakes, including both surface water surveys and shoreline monitoring, finding levels comparable to those in oceanic garbage patches in some areas. The review highlighted the Great Lakes as a significant freshwater plastic pollution hotspot requiring targeted research and management.
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.
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.
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.
On the likelihood of ecological risks from microplastics in the Laurentian Great Lakes
This review assessed the likelihood of ecological risks from microplastics in the Laurentian Great Lakes, identifying significant challenges for risk assessment due to inconsistent data quality and lack of standardized methods, and calling for policy development to address microplastic pollution in these iconic ecosystems.
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.
Towards a management strategy for microplastic pollution in the Laurentian Great Lakes—ecological risk assessment and management (part 2)
Researchers applied ecological risk assessment frameworks to evaluate microplastic pollution in the Great Lakes and found that some areas may pose measurable risks to aquatic communities. By comparing proposed safety thresholds with actual monitoring data, they identified specific locations where microplastic concentrations exceed levels considered safe for freshwater organisms. The study represents an important step toward developing practical management strategies for microplastic pollution in one of the world's largest freshwater systems.
Microplastic pollution of worldwide lakes
This review compiles research on microplastic pollution across 98 lakes worldwide, finding contamination in every lake studied. Lakes act as temporary or long-term accumulators of microplastics because water can remain in them for extended periods, and they receive plastic waste from surrounding areas. The review highlights that freshwater microplastic contamination deserves as much attention as ocean pollution, especially since many communities depend on lakes for drinking water and food.
Analyzing Water Quality and Identifying Microfibers in the Lake Michigan Watershed
This study analyzed water samples from the Lake Michigan watershed for microplastics and microfibers, finding contamination at multiple sites across the region. The results contribute to growing evidence that the Great Lakes and their tributaries are significantly affected by microplastic pollution from surrounding urban and industrial areas.
Microplastic Pollution in Surface Waters and Sediments of Urban Lake
This book chapter reviews microplastic pollution in urban lake surface waters and sediments, describing sources, distribution patterns, and the ecological consequences of MP accumulation in these widely used but understudied freshwater habitats.
Microplastics in aquatic environments: Implications for Canadian ecosystems
This review summarizes what is known about microplastic contamination in Canadian freshwater and marine environments, covering sources, distribution, and potential ecological effects. Researchers found that while microplastics have been detected across Canadian waters from the Great Lakes to Arctic coastlines, significant data gaps exist for many regions. The study calls for standardized monitoring methods and more research into how microplastics affect Canadian aquatic ecosystems and the species that depend on them.
Towards a management strategy for microplastic pollution in the Laurentian Great Lakes - Monitoring (Part 1)
This review outlines a proposed monitoring strategy for microplastic contamination in the Laurentian Great Lakes, addressing sampling methods, key knowledge gaps, and recommendations to support effective management of plastic pollution in this major freshwater system.
Microplastics in lakes: Distribution patterns and influencing factors
This review analyzed 84 studies across 64 lakes worldwide to understand where microplastics tend to concentrate in freshwater systems. Microplastic levels were highest near areas of heavy human activity and water inflows, and concentrations in lake sediments have been increasing over time, which matters because lakes are important sources of drinking water.
Microplastic pollution in lakes: Sources, impact, and solutions
This review comprehensively covers the sources, pathways, ecological impacts, and remediation strategies for microplastic pollution in freshwater lakes, highlighting how particles from urban runoff, wastewater, and atmospheric deposition accumulate in lake ecosystems and transfer into food webs.
Identifying Microplastics and Associated Pollutants to Assess Contaminant Exposure to Lake Michigan Fishes
This study identified microplastics and associated chemical pollutants in aquatic organisms from a freshwater system, assessing overall contaminant exposure risk from both the plastic particles themselves and the chemicals they carry. The research demonstrates that microplastics contribute to complex, multi-contaminant exposures in aquatic wildlife.
Microplastics in lakes and rivers: an issue of emerging significance to limnology
Researchers found that microplastic concentrations in freshwater lakes and rivers can exceed those of living organisms like zooplankton, with sediment levels matching the most contaminated marine sites, establishing microplastics as a significant issue for limnology.
Microplastics and Anthropogenic Particles in Recreationally Caught Freshwater Fish from an Urbanized Region of the North American Great Lakes
Researchers found microplastics in recreationally caught freshwater fish from the Great Lakes region near Toronto, with higher particle counts in fish from urbanized Humber Bay. The study confirms that eating freshwater fish is a pathway for human microplastic exposure. While the health effects of ingesting these particles are still unclear, the findings support the need for broader geographic monitoring and inclusion in human health risk assessments.
Beyond the ocean: contamination of freshwater ecosystems with (micro-)plastic particles
This review examined the available data on microplastic contamination in freshwater ecosystems — rivers, lakes, and urban water systems — and found it to be widespread globally, though often underreported compared to marine environments. The authors highlight the need for reliable concentration data and chemical characterization of freshwater plastics to properly assess ecological risk.
Plastic pollution in Swiss surface waters: nature and concentrations, interaction with pollutants
Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in Swiss surface waters including multiple lakes and rivers. The study confirmed the presence of microplastics in Swiss freshwater environments and investigated interactions between microplastics and chemical pollutants, expanding the data on freshwater microplastic contamination beyond the initial findings from Lake Geneva.
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.