Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Characterizing surface soil heavy metal contamination and source attribution in the Qinghai Lake Basin

Researchers analyzed 227 soil samples across China's Qinghai Lake Basin to map heavy metal contamination, finding generally low pollution levels with transportation as a key source; they recommend future research examine the combined threat of heavy metals and microplastics in alpine ecosystems.

2026 Scientific Reports
Article Tier 2

Characteristics and Potential Ecological Risks of Heavy Metal Content in the Soil of a Plateau Alpine Mining Area in the Qilian Mountains

Researchers analyzed heavy metal contamination in soil samples from an alpine mining area in the Qilian Mountains and found that cadmium, mercury, and arsenic were the primary pollutants exceeding background levels. The study used multiple assessment methods to evaluate pollution status and identified both mining activities and natural geological sources as contributors. The findings provide baseline data for guiding ecological restoration efforts in high-altitude mining regions.

2023 Land 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Heavy metal pollution and ecological risk under different land use types: based on the similarity of pollution sources and comparing the results of three evaluation models

Researchers analyzed heavy metal contamination across five land use types on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, finding that industrial activities like metallurgy and mining were the primary sources of cadmium, copper, and lead pollution, with the highest risk levels in watered and urban lands rather than grasslands.

2023 Research Square (Research Square) 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial distribution characteristics, ecological risk assessment, and source analysis of heavy metal(loid)s in surface sediments of the nearshore area of Qionghai

Analysis of 93 surface sediment samples from the nearshore area of Qionghai found heavy metal contamination from natural weathering, agricultural, and industrial sources, with geo-accumulation indices and ecological risk assessments identifying priority elements of concern.

2024 Frontiers in Marine Science 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Heavy metal concentrations in soil and ecological risk assessment in the vicinity of Tianzhu Industrial Park, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Researchers measured the concentrations of ten heavy metals in soils near an industrial park on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and assessed the ecological risks. They found elevated levels of cadmium, mercury, and arsenic in some areas, with risk assessments indicating moderate to high contamination near the industrial zone. The study underscores the vulnerability of high-altitude plateau soils to industrial pollution, even in regions known for their environmental sensitivity.

2024 PeerJ 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Accumulation Characteristics and Pollution Evaluation of Soil Heavy Metals in Different Land Use Types: Study on the Whole Region of Tianjin

Researchers analyzed heavy metal accumulation across different land use types throughout Tianjin, China, finding that pollution levels and spatial distribution varied significantly by land use, with industrial and traffic-related activities identified as primary contamination sources.

2022 International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 25 citations
Article Tier 2

Source, Distribution, and Risk Estimation of Hazardous Elements in Farmland Soils in a Typical Alluvial–Lacustrine Transition Basin, Hunan Province

Researchers investigated the spatial distribution, sources, and health risk of hazardous elements including cadmium, lead, zinc, antimony, and arsenic in farmland soils of an alluvial-lacustrine transition basin in Hunan Province, China, attributing elevated concentrations to anthropogenic activities and assessing exposure risks.

2022 International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Impact Imposed by Urbanization on Soil Heavy Metal Content of Lake Wetland and Evaluation of Ecological Risks in East Dongting Lake in China

This Chinese study measured heavy metal contamination in wetland soils of East Dongting Lake, finding elevated concentrations of several metals linked to nearby industrial and agricultural activities. Wetland contamination with heavy metals often co-occurs with microplastic pollution, and these combined stressors can have synergistic harmful effects on wetland ecosystems.

2021 Research Square (Research Square) 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Variation Feature, Pollution Risk Assessment, and Source Analysis of Heavy Metals in Lanzhou City, Northwestern China

Researchers measured concentrations of 12 heavy metals (including V, Cr, Mn, Zn, Cu, As, Cd, and Pb) in 20 sediment samples from Lanzhou, China, assessing pollution risk using enrichment factor and geo-accumulation indices and tracing sources to petrochemical and heavy industrial activity, while evaluating the effectiveness of municipal pollution control efforts implemented since 2010.

2022 Geofluids 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessing spatial variability and source identification of heavy metals in agricultural soils: A geostatistical and multivariate analysis of coastal eastern Zhejiang, China

Researchers used geostatistical and multivariate analysis techniques to assess the spatial variability and sources of five heavy metals in agricultural soils along the coast of eastern Zhejiang, China. While focused primarily on heavy metals rather than microplastics, the study provides methodology relevant to understanding pollutant distribution in coastal agricultural areas. The findings identified industrial emissions, agricultural practices, and natural geological processes as key contamination sources.

2026 PLoS ONE
Article Tier 2

Identification Sources and High-Risk Areas of Sediment Heavy Metals in the Yellow River by Geographical Detector Method

Scientists measured heavy metal contamination in river sediments of the Yellow River in Inner Mongolia, identifying industrial emissions and agricultural activities as the main sources. While focused on heavy metals, the research is relevant because microplastics frequently co-occur with and transport heavy metal pollutants in river systems.

2021 Water 18 citations
Article Tier 2

[Distribution and Influencing Factors of Microplastics in Cultivated Soil in Northeastern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau].

Researchers analysed 95 cultivated soil samples from the northeastern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau using density separation, metallographic microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, finding microplastic abundances ranging from 68 to 3,668 particles per kilogram in surface soils.

2025 PubMed
Article Tier 2

Spatial distribution characteristics and pollution evaluation of soil heavy metals in Wulongdong National Forest Park

Researchers investigated the spatial distribution and pollution levels of seven heavy metals in soils across Wulongdong National Forest Park at different altitudes and slope orientations. The study found that while most heavy metal concentrations were near natural background levels, certain elements showed localized enrichment, highlighting the importance of monitoring even protected natural areas.

2024 Scientific Reports 17 citations
Article Tier 2

Non–Negligible Ecological Risks of Urban Wetlands Caused by Cd and Hg on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, China

Researchers assessed heavy metal contamination in the Huangshui National Wetland Park on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, finding that cadmium and mercury pose non-negligible ecological risks across the urban wetland's three zones.

2023 Toxics 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Source Attribution of Atmospheric Dust Deposition to Utah Lake

Researchers investigated the sources of atmospheric dust deposition to Utah Lake by sampling suspected source locations and lake deposition samples, using inductively coupled plasma analysis of 25 metals to create elemental fingerprints and compare source contributions to the eutrophic lake's nutrient loading.

2023 Hydrology 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatiotemporal Patterns of Heavy-Metal Pollution in Coastal Pinqing Lagoon (Southern China): Anthropogenic and Hydrological Effect

Researchers examined spatiotemporal patterns of heavy metal pollution in Pinqing Lagoon, a coastal lagoon in South China, using core and surface sediment samples to assess enrichment, contamination factors, and ecological risk. The study found that Cu was the chief pollutant while Cd posed the highest ecological risk, with century-scale anthropogenic disturbance, industrial activity, and wastewater discharge driving contamination patterns.

2023 Water 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial Distributions and Intrinsic Influence Analysis of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb in Sediments from the Wuliangsuhai Wetland, China

Researchers mapped heavy metal concentrations in sediments of the Wuliangsuhai wetland in China, finding arsenic and cadmium levels six- and seven-fold above background values respectively, largely from irrigation water inputs. High bioavailable fractions of cadmium, lead, and zinc raised concerns about ecological and human health risks in this agriculturally managed wetland.

2022 International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Soil contamination and carrying capacity across the Tibetan plateau using structural equation models

This paper is not relevant to microplastics research — it assesses soil contamination levels and soil environmental carrying capacity across the Tibetan Plateau, focusing on heavy metals and nutrient conditions.

2023 Environmental Pollution 11 citations
Article Tier 2

A multivariate analysis of microplastics in soils along the headwaters of Yangtze river on the Tibetan Plateau

Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in soils along the headwaters of the Yangtze River on the Tibetan Plateau. The study found average concentrations of 64 to 89 items per kilogram, with polyethylene films being the most common type, and statistical modeling indicated that population density was the primary driver of microplastic accumulation in these remote highland soils.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Driving factors of the distribution of microplastics in the surface soil of the typical uninhabited and habited areas in the Qinghai–Tibet plateau, China

A large survey across the remote Qinghai-Tibet Plateau found microplastics in surface soils everywhere sampled, with abundance rising near roads and residential areas and with increasing rainfall, pointing to both traffic and atmospheric transport as key delivery pathways. Different regions had different dominant sources — traffic emissions in some areas, household activity in others — suggesting that pollution control strategies need to be tailored locally rather than applied uniformly. Even this high-altitude, supposedly pristine region is significantly contaminated, highlighting the truly global reach of microplastic pollution.

2024 Environmental Pollution 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Identifying the Local Influencing Factors of Arsenic Concentration in Suburban Soil: A Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression Approach

Researchers used advanced geospatial modeling to identify local factors driving arsenic concentration in suburban soils in China's black soil region. The study found that road density, nitrogen levels, and soil texture were the primary influences, with traffic emissions and fertilizer use identified as the main pollution sources.

2024 Toxics 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Study on the Accumulation of Heavy Metals in Different Soil-Crop Systems and Ecological Risk Assessment: A Case Study of Jiao River Basin

Researchers assessed heavy metal accumulation in four crops (wheat, corn, potatoes, and leeks) and soils from the Jiao River Basin, evaluating ecological risk from eight heavy metals including copper, lead, cadmium, and arsenic. The study found that cadmium and arsenic posed the highest ecological risks, with crop type influencing heavy metal uptake patterns.

2023 Agronomy 21 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination in lacustrine sediments in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: Current status and transfer mechanisms

Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in lacustrine sediments across the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, finding abundances ranging from 17 to 2,644 items/kg dry weight and identifying atmospheric deposition and river transport as key transfer mechanisms to these remote high-altitude lakes.

2022 China Geology 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and Ecological Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals from Wuliangsuhai Lake, Yellow River Basin, China

Researchers investigated heavy metal contamination in Wuliangsuhai Lake sediments in China's Yellow River Basin, finding that mercury and cadmium are the main pollutants, with cadmium showing the highest bioavailability due to its exchangeable fraction, and exogenous pollution concentrated in the top 20 cm of sediment cores.

2022 Water 24 citations