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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Microplastic contamination in an urban area: a case study in Greater Paris
ClearSources and Fate of Microplastics in Urban Areas: A Focus on Paris Megacity
Using Paris as a case study, this chapter analyzes the various sources of microplastics in an urban catchment — including wastewater, stormwater runoff, and atmospheric deposition — and traces how they move through the city's water system. The study underscores that urban environments are major generators and conduits for microplastic pollution reaching freshwater and marine systems.
The urban microplastic footprint: investigating the distribution and transport
Researchers investigated the distribution and transport of microplastics within an urban environment, mapping the 'urban microplastic footprint' to understand how city infrastructure and land use patterns drive the spatial distribution and downstream export of plastic particles to receiving water bodies.
Microplastics and microfibers in urban runoff from a suburban catchment of Greater Paris
Researchers collected stormwater runoff samples from a suburban catchment in Greater Paris across multiple rain events and found significant concentrations of microplastics and microfibers, with concentrations varying substantially between events and correlating with rainfall intensity and catchment dry-weather duration.
Abundance, composition and fluxes of plastic debris and other macrolitter in urban runoff in a suburban catchment of Greater Paris
Researchers quantified plastic debris composition and fluxes in stormwater runoff from a suburban Paris catchment, finding plastics comprised over 60% of macrolitter and estimating that separate sewer systems in the greater Paris area discharge 8–33 tons of plastic debris into the environment annually, establishing urban stormwater as a significant but poorly studied pathway for plastic pollution.
Abundance, Distribution and Drivers of Microplastic Contaminant in Urban River Environments
Researchers surveyed microplastic distribution in urban river environments and identified key drivers of accumulation hotspots, finding that land use, hydrology, and infrastructure factors concentrated microplastics at predictable locations that could inform targeted management interventions.
Superimposed microplastic pollution in a coastal metropolis
A comprehensive characterization of microplastic pollution sources, distribution, and accumulation in a coastal metropolis found multiple overlapping pathways contributing to marine contamination, from urban runoff to wastewater discharge. The study emphasizes that urban coastal cities are both major sources and sinks of microplastic pollution.
Estimating microplastic flows across rural-urban gradients in a French catchment
Researchers estimated microplastic flows across rural-urban gradients in a French catchment, examining how land use and urbanization influence the transport and distribution of microplastic particles through the watershed system.
Quantitative Analysis of Urban Microplastic Dissemination and Accumulation in Marine Ecosystems: Pathways, Processes, and Impacts
Researchers used water and sediment sampling across urban, riverine, and marine environments to quantify microplastic pathways from cities into marine ecosystems, finding the highest concentrations in urban areas linked to industrial activity and poor waste management. Polyethylene, polypropylene, and PET were the most common polymer types, with seasonal peaks in concentration tracking periods of high rainfall and urban runoff.
Quantifying and Characterizing Microplastics in the Greater Philadelphia Region
Researchers quantified and characterized microplastic contamination across waterways in the Greater Philadelphia region, examining how plastic degradation from weathering, heat, water, and biological activity introduces microplastics into local water bodies and the atmosphere. The study assessed the scope of contamination and documented the implications of microplastic pollution for aquatic and human health in an urban watershed context.
Occurrence and fate of microplastics in Parisian combined sewer network
This study investigated the occurrence and fate of microplastics in the combined sewer network of Paris, tracking particles from urban inputs through the wastewater system. Significant amounts of microplastics were found throughout the system, with storm events increasing concentrations. Combined sewer overflow events can release untreated microplastic-laden water directly into rivers during heavy rain.
Microplastics in urban stormwater sediments and runoff: An essential component in the microplastic cycle
This review systematically analyzed microplastic contamination in urban stormwater runoff and sediments, finding concentrations that varied enormously across global studies. Researchers found that stormwater is a major but underappreciated pathway for delivering microplastics to rivers, lakes, and oceans. The study highlights that better stormwater management practices are needed to reduce this significant source of aquatic microplastic pollution.
Contributing to the assessment of the impact of urban activities on microplastic transport through air and runoff infiltration
Researchers investigated the contribution of urban activities to microplastic transport through both airborne pathways and stormwater runoff infiltration, quantifying plastic particle fluxes in an urban watershed. The study found that road surfaces, construction materials, and tire wear were significant urban sources, with rainfall events mobilizing microplastics into both air and subsurface water.
Microplastic accumulation in sewer sediments and its potential entering the environment via combined sewer overflows: a study case in Paris
Researchers measured microplastic levels in sewer sediments in Paris and found extremely high concentrations, similar in composition to raw wastewater. During heavy rain events, these contaminated sediments get flushed into rivers through sewer overflows, releasing large amounts of microplastics into the environment. The study reveals that urban sewer systems are a significant hidden reservoir of microplastic pollution that can rapidly contaminate waterways used for recreation and drinking water.
Quantitative Analysis of Urban Microplastic Dissemination and Accumulation in Marine Ecosystems: Pathways, Processes, and Impacts
Researchers conducted quantitative water and sediment sampling across urban, riverine, and marine environments to trace microplastic transport pathways from cities into marine ecosystems. They found microplastics in all sampled environments — highest in urban areas — with polyethylene, polypropylene, and PET most prevalent, and documented ingestion evidence across marine species alongside seasonal concentration peaks correlated with rainfall-driven urban runoff.
Microplastic Presence, Aging, and Potential Sources in Urban Runoff in a Large Piedmont Metropolitan Area: Polymer-Type-Specific Analysis
Scientists found over 20,000 tiny plastic particles in rainwater runoff from a large metropolitan area, with the plastics coming from both local sources like degraded items on the ground and particles falling from the atmosphere. These microplastics can end up in our water supply and food chain, potentially affecting human health. The study helps identify where these harmful plastic particles come from in big cities, which is important for finding ways to reduce our exposure to them.
Microplastic pollution in surface waters of urban canals in a highly urbanized city (Dunkirk, Northern France): influence of dry and wet periods on discharge to the sea
Researchers tracked microplastic levels in six urban canals in Dunkirk, France, and found concentrations more than doubled during rainy periods compared to dry ones, driven by stormwater runoff flushing plastics from city streets into the waterways. Fibers made up over 75% of particles at all sites, and the most urbanized canals had the highest contamination. The findings highlight cities as significant sources of microplastics flowing to the sea, and show that rainfall events cause surges in plastic pollution reaching coastal ecosystems.
Microplastics in urban runoff: Global occurrence and fate
This review examines global microplastic occurrence in urban runoff, finding concentrations up to 8,580 particles per liter, and highlights critical gaps in understanding microplastic mobilization, transport, and flux from urban environments to waterways.
Urbanization and hydrological conditions drive the spatial and temporal variability of microplastic pollution in the Garonne River
Researchers quantified microplastic concentrations across 14 sites in the Garonne River catchment in France, finding that urbanization drives spatial variation while seasonal hydrology shapes temporal patterns—with higher concentrations and smaller particles in warm, low-flow periods—and polyethylene, polystyrene, and polypropylene dominating polymer composition.
Microplastics in urban catchments: Review of sources, pathways, and entry into stormwater
This review examines microplastic sources, transport pathways, and entry mechanisms into urban stormwater systems, identifying atmospheric deposition, tire and road wear particles, and micro-litter as major contributors and highlighting the need for improved source control strategies.
Microplastics in water: occurrence, detection, and impacts – a comprehensive review of multiple studies
This comprehensive review synthesized current knowledge on microplastic occurrence, detection methods, and impacts across marine, freshwater, and remote aquatic ecosystems. Researchers highlighted that microplastic concentrations are particularly high in urban rivers, transported through runoff, atmospheric deposition, and river input. The review identifies critical research gaps including the need for standardized detection methods and more studies on chronic human exposure through contaminated seafood and drinking water.
Estimating microplastic flows across rural-urban gradients in a French catchment
Researchers estimated microplastic flows along rural-to-urban gradients within a French catchment, quantifying how land use transitions influence MP loading and transport dynamics in surface waters. The study provides spatially resolved flux estimates that reveal how urbanization amplifies microplastic contributions to downstream receiving environments.
Characterizing microplastics in urban runoff: A multi-land use assessment with a focus on 1–125 μm size particles
Researchers collected stormwater runoff from three different urban land use types and found microplastics present across all sites, with significant variation in polymer types depending on the area. By using multiple detection techniques, they were able to identify particles as small as 1 micrometer, revealing that the smallest size fractions dominated the total count. The study emphasizes that urban runoff is a major pathway for microplastic pollution reaching waterways.
The atmospheric microplastics deposition contributes to microplastic pollution in urban waters
Researchers investigated how atmospheric deposition contributes to microplastic pollution in urban waters. The study found that microplastic deposition fluxes were higher during wet weather than dry weather and showed moderate to strong correlations with atmospheric conditions, demonstrating that airborne microplastic fallout is a meaningful source of contamination in urban water environments.
Microplastic emission characteristics of stormwater runoff in an urban area: Intra-event variability and influencing factors
Researchers found that stormwater runoff from both industrial and residential urban catchments contained substantial microplastics (54–639 particles per liter), with polypropylene and polyethylene dominating, and that microplastic concentrations peaked early in rain events following longer dry periods.