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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Microplastic contamination in urban groundwater: Risk assessment, citizen perception and policy imperatives – a case study of Kozhikode City, Kerala State, India
ClearContamination, morphological and chemical characterization, and hazard risk analyses of microplastics in drinking water sourced from groundwater in a developing nation
Researchers analyzed groundwater from six coastal districts in a developing nation and found widespread microplastic contamination, with fibers and fragments of polyethylene and polypropylene being the most common types. Since groundwater is the primary drinking water source in many developing countries, this contamination represents a direct pathway for microplastic ingestion by millions of people.
Investigation of microplastic pollution index in the urban surface water: A case study in west Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, India
Researchers found microplastics in surface water and water treatment plants in the West Godavari region of India, with common types including polypropylene and PVC. Risk assessments showed that the type of plastic polymer poses a greater health risk than the amount of microplastics present. The study estimated daily, annual, and lifetime intake levels for people using these water sources.
Distribution and transport of microplastics in groundwater (Shiraz aquifer, southwest Iran)
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in groundwater from an alluvial aquifer in a semi-arid region of Iran. They identified microplastics in all sampled wells, with fibers and fragments being the most common shapes and polyethylene the dominant polymer type. The study demonstrates that groundwater, an important source of drinking water, is not immune to microplastic contamination and calls for more research on transport mechanisms in subsurface environments.
Human health risk perspective study on characterization, quantification and spatial distribution of microplastics in surface water, groundwater and coastal sediments of thickly populated Chennai coast of South India
Researchers characterized microplastics in surface water, groundwater, and coastal sediments along Chennai's densely populated coast in South India, finding widespread contamination with fibers as the dominant shape and identifying urban proximity as a key factor in microplastic abundance.
Spatial distribution of microplastic concentration around landfill sites and its potential risk on groundwater
Researchers found microplastic contamination in groundwater near two municipal waste dump sites in South India, with levels ranging from 2 to 80 particles per liter. Nylon was the most common type found, making up 70% of particles, and the contamination was traced back to degrading buried plastic waste. This is concerning because many communities rely on groundwater for drinking, and these findings show landfills can be a direct source of microplastics in drinking water.
Microplastics in groundwater of two rural communities in Mexico
Researchers detected microplastics in drinking water from ten rural wells in two Mexican communities, finding diverse polymer types and morphologies at concentrations that suggest widespread groundwater MP contamination even in areas distant from major urban pollution sources.
Microplastics, their abundance, and distribution in water and sediments in North Chennai, India: An assessment of pollution risk and human health impacts
Researchers analyzed microplastic pollution in water and sediment samples from North Chennai, India, finding contamination at all sampling sites. Landfills, densely populated areas, and tourist spots had the highest concentrations, with pollution risk levels ranging from low to extremely high. The presence of microplastics in lake water used for drinking purposes is a concern for human health in the region.
Implications of solid waste dumps on the microplastic abundance in groundwater in Kollam, India
Groundwater wells near waste dump sites in Kollam, India contained an average of 12 microplastic particles per liter, with fibers being the most common type. Larger dump sites were associated with higher microplastic levels, and the groundwater near heavy dumping sites was also more acidic, suggesting leachate from waste dumps is contaminating the water supply. This is a direct human health concern because many communities depend on well water for drinking, and microplastics in groundwater are difficult to remove.
Distribution characteristics of microplastics and potentially toxic elements as co-contaminants in groundwater in mid-Brahmaputra Valley, northeastern India
Researchers found microplastics and toxic heavy metals contaminating groundwater in the Brahmaputra Valley of northeastern India, with polypropylene being the most common plastic type detected. The microplastics appeared to absorb heavy metals onto their surfaces, creating a combined pollution threat, and cancer risk assessments showed that about a third of samples posed potential health risks to children. This study demonstrates that even underground water sources used for drinking are not safe from microplastic contamination.
Microplastic accumulation in groundwater: Data-scaled insights and future research
This data-driven review of nearly 400 groundwater samples worldwide found that microplastics are present in both shallow and deep groundwater, with open groundwater sources showing higher contamination than enclosed aquifers. The findings are relevant to human health because groundwater supplies drinking water for billions of people, and the study identifies key gaps in our understanding of how microplastics accumulate underground.
Hazardous microplastic characteristics and its role as a vector of heavy metal in groundwater and surface water of coastal south India
Researchers conducted the first baseline study of microplastics in groundwater and surface water along coastal south India and tested how different plastic polymers absorb heavy metals. They found microplastics at concentrations up to 19.9 particles per liter, with polypropylene showing the highest capacity to adsorb toxic metals like cadmium and manganese. The findings suggest microplastics may act as significant carriers of heavy metals through water systems, raising concerns about contamination of drinking water sources.
Microplastics pollution in groundwater: Case study - Slovenia
Researchers investigated microplastic pollution in Slovenian groundwater, which supplies drinking water to 98% of the population, characterizing MP occurrence, transport, and risk across multiple aquifer systems affected by urban, industrial, and agricultural activities.
Quantification of microplastic in Red Hills Lake of Chennai city, Tamil Nadu, India
Researchers conducted the first study of microplastic distribution and sources in Red Hills Lake, a freshwater reservoir supplying drinking water to northern Chennai, India. Analysis of sediment samples revealed the presence of microplastic contamination, highlighting concerns about microplastic pollution in freshwater systems used for human water supply.
Exploring the abundance of microplastics in Indian landfill leachate: An analytical study
Researchers analyzed microplastics in leachate from two major landfills in India and found concentrations of 1,473 to 2,067 particles per liter, with most particles smaller than 100 micrometers. Polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, cellulose acetate, and PVC were the most common plastic types identified. Since landfill leachate can seep into groundwater and nearby water bodies, these findings raise concerns about microplastic contamination of drinking water sources near dump sites.
Microplastic Contamination: A Case Study in the Freshwater of Krishna River
Researchers found microplastic contamination in three sites along the Krishna River in India, identifying polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyoxymethylene particles at different pilgrimage locations. The study confirms freshwater microplastic pollution in this important Indian river and demonstrates a sampling approach applicable to future monitoring efforts.
Microplastic Contamination in Urban Groundwater: A Case Study From Jakarta Megacity, Indonesia
Groundwater sampled across 121 locations in Jakarta contained between 28 and 236 microplastic particles per liter, with fragment-shaped pieces dominating and concentrations rising near temporary waste disposal sites. This is significant because millions of people in urban Indonesia still rely on groundwater for drinking, meaning microplastics from poorly managed waste are entering a direct route to human consumption.
Distribution and characterization of microplastics and ecological risks in Vellayani Lake, Kerala, India
Researchers surveyed Vellayani Lake in Kerala, India, for microplastic contamination and found particles in both water and sediment samples across the lake. The most common types were fibers and fragments, primarily from polyethylene and polypropylene, likely originating from household waste, fishing activities, and agricultural runoff. The ecological risk assessment indicated moderate contamination levels, raising concerns for this freshwater lake that serves local communities.
Unveiling Microplastic Ignorance: A Study on Knowledge and Awareness Among Pune’s Urban Population – A Mixed Method Approach
Researchers used a mixed-methods approach—qualitative interviews and a quantitative survey—to assess microplastic knowledge and awareness among 100 urban residents in Pune, India. General awareness was moderate, but specific knowledge of exposure sources and health risks was limited, suggesting public education campaigns focused on practical exposure reduction are needed.
Microplastics in freshwater lakes: A case study from Southern India
Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in Vellayani Lake, a major drinking water source in southern India, and found particles present across all sampling sites and seasons. Fibers were the most common shape, with polyethylene and polypropylene as the dominant polymer types, likely originating from domestic wastewater and fishing activities. The study highlights the need for monitoring microplastic pollution in freshwater lakes that serve as critical drinking water supplies.
Occurrence and identification of microplastics in tap water from China
Researchers analyzed 38 tap water samples from cities across China and found microplastics in all of them, with concentrations averaging around 440 particles per liter. Most particles were smaller than 50 micrometers, and the dominant types were polyethylene and polypropylene fragments. The findings highlight that drinking water treatment plants face a significant challenge in addressing microplastic contamination in the water supply.
Microplastic pollution – a rising threat along an urban lake in the Vellore district of Tamil Nadu, India: abundance and risk exposure
Researchers assessed microplastic pollution in Dharapadavedu Lake in Tamil Nadu, India, finding contamination in both water and sediment samples. Medium-sized microplastics (500-1,000 micrometers) were the most common, with polyethylene and polypropylene as the dominant plastic types. The study highlights the growing microplastic contamination in urban lake ecosystems that communities rely on, raising concerns about water quality and human exposure.
Microplastic and POP contamination in rural waste-dumping sites, India
Researchers collected soil and water samples from unregulated waste-dumping sites in rural Tamil Nadu, India, finding microplastics in all samples, with polypropylene and polyethylene as the dominant polymers, raising concerns about contamination of drinking water and agricultural land.
Global distribution, drivers, and potential hazards of microplastics in groundwater: A review
This review maps the global distribution of microplastics in groundwater and finds that contamination is widespread, with fiber-shaped particles and polyethylene being the most common types detected. The study highlights that climate change and local geology play underappreciated roles in how microplastics move through soil into groundwater, which is a drinking water source for billions of people worldwide.
Microplastics in packaged water, community stored water, groundwater, and surface water in rivers of Tamil Nadu after the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak
Researchers tested water sources across Tamil Nadu, India, after the COVID-19 pandemic and found microplastics in rivers, groundwater, community-stored water, and even packaged drinking water bottles. Over half of the microplastics found were smaller than 1 millimeter, mostly fibers from common plastics like polyethylene and polypropylene. The study shows that microplastic contamination is widespread in both treated and untreated water supplies that millions of people rely on daily.