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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Microplastics in freshwater environments: Influence of topography and water velocity on their distribution in river systems
ClearMicroplastics pollution in inland aquatic ecosystems of India with a global perspective on sources, composition, and spatial distribution
Researchers reviewed microplastic contamination in India's rivers, lakes, and wetlands, finding widespread pollution across water, sediment, and wildlife, with concentrations peaking during monsoon season due to runoff. The review highlights a critical gap: most studies don't account for how water flow and seasonal variation affect where microplastics go, making it hard to gauge the true health risk to people and ecosystems.
Microplastics as a contaminant in Indian riverine system: a review
This systematic review examines microplastic contamination across India's river systems, documenting the types, sources, and concentrations of plastic particles found in major waterways. The findings are concerning for human health because these rivers provide drinking water and irrigation for hundreds of millions of people, creating widespread potential exposure to microplastics.
A Critical Review on the Characterization and Distribution of Microplastic Contaminants in Indian Water Environments: Pathways and Related Hazards
This systematic review examines microplastic contamination in India's freshwater environments, including rivers and lakes. While marine ecosystems have gotten the most attention, freshwater sources — which supply drinking water — are also heavily contaminated. The findings highlight how inadequate waste management and recycling infrastructure allow microplastics to spread through the water systems that communities depend on.
Effects of environmental and anthropogenic factors on the distribution and abundance of microplastics in freshwater ecosystems
Researchers reviewed nearly 6,500 articles to identify the environmental and human factors driving microplastic distribution in freshwater ecosystems worldwide. They found that both natural factors like water flow and temperature, and human activities like urbanization and agriculture, significantly influence where microplastics accumulate in rivers and lakes. The study provides a framework for predicting microplastic pollution hotspots and prioritizing monitoring efforts in freshwater systems.
Microplastics in Freshwater Ecosystems of India: Current Trends and Future Perspectives
The study provides a comprehensive review of microplastic contamination in freshwater ecosystems across India, including lakes and rivers. Researchers found that microplastic research in Indian freshwater environments has grown significantly but remains limited compared to marine studies, highlighting the need for expanded monitoring given India's increasing plastic production and low recycling rates.
Baseline Study on Microplastics in Indian Rivers under Different Anthropogenic Influences
Researchers collected microplastic samples from Indian rivers under different levels of anthropogenic influence and found MPs in all sites, with concentrations correlating with population density and industrial activity, providing one of the first systematic field datasets for major Indian river systems.
Occurrence, quantification and characterisation of microplastics in Godavari River, India
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in the Godavari River in India, finding an average of 3.9 particles per liter across six sites, with fibers making up over 80% of particles and polypropylene and polyethylene being the most common polymer types. Urban areas had higher concentrations, and the presence of these plastics in a major river system poses risks to agriculture and human health through contaminated water and food sources.
Microplastic contamination, an emerging threat to the freshwater environment: a systematic review
Researchers systematically reviewed the spread of microplastics in freshwater ecosystems — rivers, lakes, and streams — documenting their sources, how they move through water, the damage they cause to aquatic organisms, and the methods used to detect them. Their review serves as a baseline reference for future research and calls for improved waste management to protect freshwater environments from ongoing microplastic contamination.
Assessment, characterization, and quantification of microplastics from river sediments
Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in sediments from 14 sites along the Kaveri River in South India, characterizing particle types, sizes, and polymer compositions to quantify the extent of microplastic pollution in this freshwater system.
Microplastics in Freshwater Ecosystems in India: A Comprehensive Review
This review examines the occurrence, sources, and ecological risks of microplastics across freshwater ecosystems in India, synthesizing current literature on contamination levels in rivers, lakes, and other inland water bodies.
Spatial heterogeneity of microplastic pollution and associated emerging contaminants in tropical estuarine environments: Novel insights into distribution, bioavailability, and ecological risk
Scientists found tiny plastic particles in water, mud, and seafood like shellfish and crabs in two river areas in India. These microplastics carry harmful chemicals and are getting into the food chain, which could affect the safety of seafood that people eat. While the current risk appears low, this research shows we need better policies to reduce plastic pollution to protect both ocean ecosystems and human food sources.
Spatial and seasonal variations in abundance, distribution characteristics, and sources of microplastics in surface water of Mula river in Pune, India
Researchers measured microplastic levels in the Mula River in Pune, India, and found high concentrations averaging over 1,500 particles per liter, with industrial waste as the main source. These findings are concerning for human health because millions of people rely on this river, and the dominant plastics found are commonly used in food packaging.
Microplastics in freshwater systems: A review of the emerging threats, identification of knowledge gaps and prioritisation of research needs
This review synthesizes the growing body of research on microplastic contamination in freshwater rivers, lakes, and sediments, which has received far less attention than marine environments. Researchers found that freshwater microplastic concentrations can rival or exceed those reported in ocean studies, particularly near urban and industrial areas. The study identifies critical knowledge gaps including the lack of standardized sampling methods and limited understanding of how microplastics affect freshwater organisms and ecosystems.
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.
Towards sustainable management of riverine ecosystems: Variability of microplastic diversity and distribution patterns in ecosystem compartments
Researchers analyzed the diversity and distribution patterns of microplastics across different compartments of riverine ecosystems, including surface water, sediment, and soil. They found that surface water and sediments primarily accumulated smaller, low-density, fibrous microplastics, with distribution patterns mainly influenced by population density, flow velocity, and precipitation. The study reveals that microplastic communities across ecosystem compartments are distinct but not fully isolated, reflecting a balance between dispersion and environmental filtering.
Distribution and characterization of microplastics in Narmada River: Insights from differently impacted anthropogenic zones of upper and middle basin in Central India
Scientists found tiny plastic particles called microplastics throughout India's Narmada River, which millions of people depend on for drinking water. The plastic pollution was worst near tourist areas and semi-urban zones, with 19 different types of plastics detected, including some that are especially harmful to health. This matters because these microplastics can end up in our drinking water and food chain, potentially affecting human health.
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.
Microplastic distribution and their abundance along rivers are determined by land uses and sediment granulometry
Researchers studied two river watersheds and found that microplastics were widespread in both water and sediment, with concentrations in water rising alongside increased urban land use. Interestingly, microplastics trapped in sediment were more influenced by the grain size of the riverbed than by human activity. The findings suggest that both human factors and natural river characteristics work together to shape where microplastics end up in freshwater systems.
Delving Deep into the Microplastics Crisis in the Indian Aquatic Environment
This review synthesized research on microplastic contamination in India's aquatic environments—rivers, lakes, and coastal waters—covering sources, distribution, ecological impacts, and human exposure risks. The authors found microplastics widespread in Indian water bodies and highlighted the particular vulnerability of rural communities that rely on these waters for drinking and food.
Multifaceted analysis of microplastic pollution dynamics in the Yamuna river: Assessing anthropogenic impacts and ecological consequences
Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution across 29 locations along the Yamuna River in India, spanning urban, rural, and industrial zones. They found an average of nearly 15,000 microplastic particles per liter, with hazardous polymers like PET and nylon being most common and concentrations highest near urban and industrial areas. The study highlights that the Yamuna is heavily contaminated with microplastics and that population density and industrial activity are major drivers of this pollution.
Microplastics in Freshwater Environments – With Special Focus on the Indian Scenario
This review examines microplastic pollution in freshwater environments globally with a focus on the Indian context, finding that despite India being one of the world's largest contributors to marine plastic pollution, freshwater microplastic research in India remains almost entirely absent, and calling for systematic river catchment monitoring to quantify land-to-ocean plastic fluxes.
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.
Microplastic pollution in rivers and lakes of India: Sources, ecotoxicological impacts, and removal strategies
This review synthesizes current knowledge on microplastic pollution in India's rivers and lakes, covering sources, ecological impacts, and removal strategies. Researchers found that Indian freshwater systems are increasingly contaminated from industrial discharge, domestic waste, agricultural runoff, and tourism. Evidence indicates that exposed aquatic organisms experience bioaccumulation, oxidative stress, and behavioral changes, underscoring the need for comprehensive remediation efforts.
Polymer-specific transfer and retention of microplastics at the river–sediment–groundwater interface
Scientists studied how tiny plastic particles move from rivers into underground water that could become drinking water. They found that different types of plastics behave differently - some float and stay in rivers, while heavier plastics like those from bottles and pipes sink into riverbeds and can travel into groundwater supplies. This research is important because it helps us understand how microplastics might contaminate the underground water sources we rely on for drinking water.