Papers

61,005 results
|
Article Tier 2

Spatiotemporal assessment of microplastic incidence in the Atoyac basin — a key watershed in Mexico

This spatiotemporal study quantified and characterized microplastics in freshwater and sediments across the Atoyac sub-basin in Mexico, documenting MP types, shapes, and sizes at sites impacted by urban, agricultural, and industrial activity over multiple sampling periods.

2025 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in water and bed sediments from the Baluarte River Basin: Occurrence, behavior and composition

This study characterized microplastics in water and bed sediments from the Baluarte River basin in Mexico, documenting occurrence, spatial distribution, and dominant polymer types, and identifying urban wastewater and agricultural runoff as key sources.

2024
Article Tier 2

Initial investigation of microplastic pollution in river sediments at Yogyakarta City Indonesia

Researchers conducted an initial investigation of microplastic pollution in river sediments crossing Yogyakarta City in Indonesia, finding microplastics at all sampling sites. Fragment and fiber types dominated, reflecting common plastic pollution sources in this urban environment.

2021 Sustinere Journal of Environment and Sustainability 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Benthic macroinvertebrates and microplastic contamination in contrasting water quality environments of the Middle Tietê River basin (São Paulo, Brazil)

Researchers compared microplastic contamination in benthic invertebrates and sediments between a heavily polluted urban river and a cleaner tributary in São Paulo, Brazil. Higher microplastic concentrations were found near urban areas, confirming that human activity drives plastic accumulation in freshwater ecosystems.

2023 LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas)
Article Tier 2

Microplastics: Sources and distribution in surface waters and sediments of Todos Santos Bay, Mexico

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in surface water, sediments, and wastewater treatment plant effluents in Todos Santos Bay, Mexico, detecting microplastics in all matrices with fragments and fibers as the dominant morphologies and polypropylene and polyethylene among the identified polymers. Wastewater treatment plant effluents were identified as a key source, contributing fibers to the bay, while surface currents and sediment grain size governed spatial distribution.

2019 The Science of The Total Environment 109 citations
Article Tier 2

Characterization of Microplastics in Marine Sediments from the Gulf of Tehuantepec, Mexican Pacific

Researchers characterized microplastics in marine sediments from the Gulf of Tehuantepec along the Mexican Pacific coast, categorizing particles by size, shape, color, and polymer type. They found widespread microplastic contamination in beach sediments near the Tehuantepec River mouth. The study provides baseline pollution data for this understudied region and raises concerns about potential impacts on benthic organisms and the broader marine food web.

2024 Carpathian Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in freshwater river sediments in Shanghai, China: A case study of risk assessment in mega-cities

Researchers characterized microplastics in freshwater river sediments across Shanghai, China, finding widespread contamination with higher concentrations near urban areas and industrial zones, dominated by fibers and fragments.

2017 Environmental Pollution 666 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence of Microplastics in Kemena River and Niah River of Sarawak, Malaysia

Researchers investigated microplastic occurrence in water and riverbed sediments of the Kemena and Niah Rivers in Sarawak, Malaysia, finding that urbanization along these rivers correlates with higher microplastic concentrations in freshwater environments.

2023 Tropical Environment Biology and Technology 19 citations
Review Tier 2

The state of microplastic pollution in México: a review and evolving perspectives

A PRISMA-based review of microplastic research in Mexico documented growing contamination across marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments, characterized the dominant polymer types and particle shapes, and identified major knowledge gaps needing attention in the Mexican context.

2025 The Science of The Total Environment 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessment of Small-Scale Microplastics Abundance and Characterization in Urban River: A Case Study in Metro River, Indonesia

Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in the Metro River in Indonesia, finding that abundance and characteristics varied by land use type, with urban areas showing higher concentrations of fragments and fibers in this rapidly developing region.

2023 Journal of Engineering and Technological Sciences 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Textural characteristics and abundance of microplastics in Tecolutla beach sediments, Gulf of Mexico

Researchers analyzed the textural characteristics and abundance of microplastics in surface sediments from Tecolutla beach on the Gulf of Mexico coast, contributing baseline data on coastal microplastic pollution in an understudied region of Mexico.

2022 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 17 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Western NY River Ecosystems

Researchers assessed microplastic pollution in river ecosystems of Western New York, characterizing particle abundance, types, and distribution across sampling sites. The study provides regional baseline data and highlights urban and agricultural land use as contributors to freshwater microplastic contamination.

2023 ThinkIR: The University of Louisville's Institutional Repository (University of Louisville)
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in surface sediments of urban water areas in Changsha, China: Abundance, composition, surface textures

Microplastic pollution was documented in urban surface sediments from rivers, lakes, and ponds in Changsha, China, with fibers dominant and concentrations correlating with land use intensity. The study contributes to mapping microplastic contamination in urban freshwater systems, where human activity generates diverse plastic inputs.

2018 Marine Pollution Bulletin 261 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution Patterns of Microplastics Pollution in Urban Fresh Waters: A Case Study of Rivers in Chengdu, China

Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in urban rivers of Chengdu, China, finding concentrations of 5 to 10.5 items per liter, predominantly transparent fragments and fibers, with spatial distribution influenced by urbanization and wastewater discharge.

2022 International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 26 citations
Article Tier 2

First insight into microplastic groundwater pollution in Latin America: the case of a coastal aquifer in Northwest Mexico

Researchers conducted the first investigation of microplastic pollution in groundwater in Latin America, analyzing six capped boreholes in a coastal aquifer in northwest Mexico for microplastic abundance, concentration, and characteristics. The study detected microplastics in groundwater samples, establishing baseline contamination data for this understudied environmental compartment and raising concerns about drinking water quality in the region.

2022 Research Square (Research Square) 3 citations
Article Tier 2

The Abundance and Characteristics of Microplastics in the Sediments of the Progo River of Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Researchers analyzed microplastic abundance and characteristics in sediments of the Progo River in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, finding microplastics throughout the river system. Fragment and fiber types dominated, reflecting the widespread plastic waste inputs characteristic of rapidly developing Indonesian urban areas.

2021 Journal of Sustainability Science and Management 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Investigation of microplastic contamination in the sediments of Noyyal River- Southern India

Researchers documented microplastic contamination across 15 sites in the urban Noyyal River in southern India, finding concentrations up to 6,500 particles per cubic meter in dried sediments, with fragments and fibers in a variety of colors the most common forms.

2022 Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances 34 citations
Article Tier 2

Characteristics, Contamination Levels, and Ecosystem Risk Assessment of Microplastics in Surface Water of a Highly Urbanized River from a Developing Country

Researchers characterized microplastic contamination in an urban river near a megacity in a developing country, finding concentrations of 350 to 660 particles per cubic meter of water. Polyethylene and polypropylene from household and municipal waste were the most common types, and a risk assessment found concerning contamination levels at several sampling sites. The study highlights how rivers in developing nations can serve as major pathways for microplastics to reach the ocean and enter the food chain.

2024 ACS Omega 14 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Presence in the Río Bravo/Grande Along the Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico–El Paso, Texas, United States of America Metroplex

The Rio Bravo/Grande, which forms the border between Mexico and the United States, has never previously been studied for microplastic contamination — and this study provides the first data. Researchers found microplastic particles in both water (up to 17 particles per liter) and riverbed sediment (up to 10,000 particles per kilogram) at multiple sites along the El Paso-Ciudad Juarez urban corridor, with fibers being the most abundant form. The findings establish baseline contamination levels in a major transboundary river, raising questions about the implications for agricultural irrigation and drinking water in a region where both countries depend heavily on this river.

2026 Microplastics
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 Polymer Types of Microplastics from Surface Sediments of Molawin Watershed of the Makiling Forest Reserve, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines

Microplastics were found in all river sediment samples collected from the Molawin River within a protected forest reserve in the Philippines, with fibers being the most common type. The study provides baseline data on freshwater microplastic contamination in a supposedly protected ecosystem.

2020 Environment and Natural Resources Journal 20 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Freshwater River in Rio de Janeiro and Its Role as a Source of Microplastic Pollution in Guanabara Bay, SE Brazil

Researchers found widespread microplastic contamination in three rivers flowing into Guanabara Bay, Brazil, with an average of 3,651 particles per cubic meter dominated by fibers, identifying these freshwater systems as major sources of coastal microplastic pollution.

2023 Micro 40 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics contamination in sediments from Portuguese inland waters: Physical-chemical characterisation and distribution

Researchers characterized microplastic contamination in sediments from Portuguese inland freshwater systems, identifying particle shapes, sizes, and polymer types to establish baseline contamination levels and inform strategies for reducing plastic accumulation in freshwater environments.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 24 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Pollution in Tropical River: Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy-Based Characterization of Abundance and Polymer Composition in Water and Sediments from Filobobos River, Mexico

Researchers characterized microplastic pollution in the water and sediments of the Bobos River in the tropical lowlands of Veracruz, Mexico, finding that blue-colored polyethylene fibers were the most common type. The study links the dominant polymer — polyethylene, commonly used in agricultural mulch and chemical containers — to the river basin's agricultural activity. As one of the first microplastic studies in this biodiverse region, it provides baseline data and highlights the need for better plastic waste management in Mexico's river systems.

2025 Hydrology 1 citations