Papers

20 results
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Article Tier 2

[Microplastics pollution in the Yellow River basin: current status and control strategy].

This review summarizes microplastic contamination in the Yellow River basin, finding that pollution increases from upstream to downstream with the highest concentrations in the Yellow River Delta wetland, and that both sediment and surface water are impacted at levels posing risks to aquaculture and human health.

2023 PubMed
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution characteristics and ecological risk assessment in the Wuding River Basin, China

Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in the Wuding River, a tributary of China's Yellow River, collecting samples from 19 sites across water and sediment. They found that microplastic abundance varied significantly across locations, with fibers being the dominant shape, and identified population density and land use as key factors influencing contamination levels. The ecological risk assessment indicated that certain areas of the basin face moderate to high risk from microplastic pollution.

2024 Environmental Pollution 30 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in North Yellow Sea, China: Observations on occurrence, distribution and identification

Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution across the North Yellow Sea, documenting their occurrence, distribution, and characteristics, and finding widespread contamination with higher concentrations in coastal areas and near river inputs.

2018 The Science of The Total Environment 412 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence of microplastics pollution in the Yangtze River: Distinct characteristics of spatial distribution and basin-wide ecological risk assessment

Researchers analyzed microplastic pollution across the entire Yangtze River basin, compiling data from the headwaters to the estuary to create a comprehensive picture of contamination. They found distinct spatial distribution patterns, with higher concentrations in urban and industrialized stretches of the river. The study also conducted a basin-wide ecological risk assessment, finding moderate to high risk levels in several sections.

2022 Water Research 94 citations
Article Tier 2

Identifying the characteristics of and factors driving spatiotemporal water quality variations in the Yellow River Basin, China, from 2008 to 2020

This study analyzed water quality data from the Yellow River Basin in China from 2008 to 2020, identifying pollution sources and spatial trends across the watershed. While focused on general water quality rather than microplastics specifically, such assessments provide important context for understanding pollution dynamics in large river systems.

2023 Research Square (Research Square)
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in Chinese Rivers: A detailed analysis of distribution, risk factors, and ecological impact

Researchers aggregated data from 2,474 microplastic samples across 165 publications to assess ecological risk in Chinese rivers, finding widespread contamination with average abundance varying substantially by watershed characteristics. A revised risk assessment accounting for particle morphology and polymer toxicity raised concern levels beyond previous estimates.

2025 Marine Pollution Bulletin 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in Yellow River: Current status and research progress of biotoxicological effects

A comprehensive assessment of microplastic pollution in China's Yellow River found average abundances of 5,358–654,000 items/m³ in water and 43.57–615 items/kg in sediment, with fibers dominant in water samples, and reviewed evidence of biotoxicity in fish, invertebrates, and microorganisms.

2021 China Geology 43 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution of microplastics in Lanzhou section of the Yellow River: Characteristics, ecological risk assessment, and factors analysis

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in surface water and sediments along the Lanzhou section of China's Yellow River. They found that most particles were small fibrous fragments of PET and polypropylene, with higher abundances during the dry season, and that human activity and weather patterns influenced microplastic distribution. Ecological risk assessments indicated the overall pollution level in this stretch of the river was relatively low.

2024 Marine Pollution Bulletin 19 citations
Article Tier 2

Pollution characteristics and prospective risk of microplastics in the Zhengzhou section of Yellow River, China

Researchers analyzed microplastic pollution across fourteen sampling sites in the Zhengzhou section of the Yellow River in China. The study found microplastic concentrations ranging from 2.33 to 15.50 particles per liter, higher than other inland Chinese rivers, with fibers and fragments being the dominant types and polyethylene the most common polymer.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 18 citations
Article Tier 2

[Microplastic Pollution Status and Ecological Risk Evaluation in Weihe River].

This Chinese study characterized microplastic abundance, shapes, sizes, colors, and polymer types in the Weihe River in northwest China. The findings document significant microplastic contamination in a major regional river that drains one of China's most densely populated agricultural areas, raising concerns about both ecosystem and human health.

2023 PubMed 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution of microplastic contamination in the major tributaries of the Yellow River on the Loess Plateau

Researchers investigated microplastic distribution across 96 sampling sites in three major tributaries of the Yellow River on the Loess Plateau, finding that microplastic abundance and characteristics differed among tributaries based on land use and human activity. The study identified environmental factors driving microplastic contamination patterns in these river systems.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 21 citations
Article Tier 2

[Distribution, Sources, and Risk Assessment of Microplastics in Surface Sediments of Yellow River Delta Wetland].

Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in surface sediments of the Yellow River Delta wetland and found concentrations ranging from 20 to 520 particles per kilogram, primarily consisting of fibers. The dominant polymer types included rayon, polyethylene, polyester, and PET, with most particles larger than 1 mm. Pollution index assessments indicated the wetland was at a slightly polluted level with relatively low ecological risk overall.

2023 PubMed 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in the Yangtze River Basin: Heterogeneity of abundances and characteristics in different environments

Researchers compiled microplastic data from 624 sampling sites across the Yangtze River Basin covering water, sediment, soil, and biota, revealing heterogeneous contamination patterns driven by local land use, population density, and wastewater infrastructure.

2021 Environmental Pollution 112 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution, sources and multi-dimensional environmental risk assessment of microplastics in soils and groundwater along the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow river

Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in both soil and groundwater along the middle and lower reaches of China's Yellow River. They found soil concentrations ranging from 426 to over 3,000 particles per kilogram, with fibers being the dominant shape in both soil and groundwater. A novel risk assessment approach revealed that while soil contamination was mostly moderate, nearly a quarter of groundwater samples reached high-risk levels.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials 6 citations
Article Tier 2

[Microplastic Pollution Characteristics and Ecological Environmental Risk Assessment in Water and Sediments of the Yiluo River Basin].

Microplastic pollution characteristics and associated ecological environmental risks were assessed in a specific aquatic or sediment environment, providing concentration data and risk indices. The study establishes a contamination baseline and identifies priority pollutant risks for the area studied.

2025 PubMed 1 citations
Article Tier 2

[Pollution Characteristics and Ecological Risk Assessment of Microplastics in the Yangtze River Basin].

A comprehensive survey of the Yangtze River basin — the longest river in China — found microplastics at abundances ranging from 21 to over 44,000 particles per cubic meter, with the highest concentrations in urban tributary areas like Chengdu. Fibers and fragments under 1 mm were most common, and statistical analysis linked microplastic abundance strongly to vehicle ownership and tourism activity. The study found that roughly 69% of sampled areas fall within elevated ecological risk categories, with Taihu Lake identified as a particular hotspot.

2024 PubMed 3 citations
Article Tier 2

[Occurrence Characteristic and Risk Assessment of Microplastics in Sishui River (Xingyang Section)].

Researchers characterized microplastics in water samples from sewage outlet sites along the Sishui River (Xingyang section), a Yellow River tributary, finding predominantly transparent fibers and fragments under 500 micrometers composed mainly of PET and PE polymers and conducting ecological risk assessment.

2024 PubMed 1 citations
Article Tier 2

The pollution of microplastics in sediments of the Yangtze River Basin: Occurrence, distribution characteristics, and basin-scale multilevel ecological risk assessment

This study mapped microplastic pollution throughout the Yangtze River Basin in China and found an average of 611 particles per kilogram of sediment, with wide variation across locations. Smaller microplastics under 1 millimeter and fibrous shapes were most common, and contamination was closely linked to population density and human activities. The findings are concerning because the Yangtze River system provides drinking water and food resources to hundreds of millions of people.

2023 Water Research 65 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution, Sources, and Ecological Risk Assessment of Microplastics in the Lower Minjiang River

Researchers characterized microplastic abundance, morphology, and polymer composition in surface water and sediments from the lower Minjiang River in China, then used pollution load indices and ecological risk assessments alongside socioeconomic data to identify likely pollution sources and ecological impacts.

2025 Toxics
Article Tier 2

Distribution, abundance, and risks posed by microplastics in surface waters of the Yangtze River Basin, China

Researchers compiled data on microplastic pollution across the entire Yangtze River Basin in China and found that contamination levels vary significantly by region, with urban and industrial areas showing the highest concentrations. The ecological risk assessment revealed that microplastics in certain stretches of the basin pose a notable threat to aquatic organisms. This basin-wide view helps identify pollution hotspots where intervention could most benefit both ecosystems and the communities that rely on the river.

2023 Environmental Pollution 33 citations