Microplastics in the high-altitude Himalayas: Assessment of microplastic contamination in freshwater lake sediments, Northwest Himalaya (India)

Neelavannan, Kannaiyan; Sen, Indra Sekhar; Lone, Aasif Mohmad; Gopinath, Kalpana

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.133354

Cited by 98 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 89 publications

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“…Smaller particles (ranging 50-500 μm) were reported in sediment samples by Liang et al [64] in 12 remote lakes of the Tibetan Plateau. The same results were shared by Xiong et al [57] who reported MPs ranging in size between 100 and 500 μm in both water and sediment samples from the high-altitude Qinghai Lake (China) and by Negrete Velasco et al [61] for Sassolo Lake (Switzerland), who recorded particles ranging in size between 125 and 500 μm. In Dimon Lake, a single particle measuring 220 μm was detected in a snow sample [13] , while in the sediment samples of Crater Lake (Turkey) were 8-15 μm in size [67] , much smaller than those reported for other high-mountain lakes.…”

Section: Microplastics Occurrence In High-mountain Lakessupporting

confidence: 73%

“…For example, Pastorino et al [13] measured MP pollution in sediment samples from a high-mountain lake (Carnic Alps, Italy) and found no particles. Negrete Velasco et al [61] reported low (33 items/kg) occurrence in a remote uninhabited lake (Sassolo Lake, Switzerland). Recently, Neelavannan et al [62] found a mean of 606 items/kg in Anchar Lake located in the Kashmir Valley (Himalaya, India).…”

Section: Microplastics Occurrence In High-mountain Lakesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The isolated Sassolo Lake is inhabited; during the winter, it is covered by a 3 m thick ice sheet. Hiking, diving, pasturing, and other human activities are the primary causes of MP pollution [61] . The same conclusions were also shared by Malygina et al [65] in two remote Siberian lakes without permanent populations, in which concentrations and configuration of MPs depend on local human activities (fishing, transport, landfilling).…”

Section: Microplastics Occurrence In High-mountain Lakesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Microplastic occurrence in high-altitude ecosystems such as glaciers, snow, and lakes may lead to biodiversity loss and disease. The abundance of MPs in the remote lakes of the Tibetan Plateau is cause for environmental concern [61] since particles can contaminate water for drinking or agricultural purposes. In addition, the high concentration of MPs found in lake sediments can have a negative effect on the health of local inhabitants and aquatic life.…”

Section: Concluding Remarks and Future Perspectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

High-mountain lakes as indicators of microplastic pollution: current and future perspectives

Pastorino¹,

Prearo²,

Pizzul³

et al. 2022

WECN

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As a key component of mountain ecosystems, high-mountain lakes are recognized indicators of global change. In the analysis of the effects induced by local or global human activities, microplastic (MP) pollution is of critical environmental concern for mountain ecosystem compartments and for high-mountain lakes in particular. This minireview reports on current knowledge of MP occurrence, source, distribution, and characteristics in high-mountain lake ecosystems. The literature search returned only nine studies mainly from the Tibet plateau (China). Generally, the two most often investigated compartments were water and sediment, followed by snow and fish. Plastic particles were found as fragments and fibers of polypropylene and polyethylene, which are primarily utilized in food packaging and supplies brought by tourists and then discarded on site. Tourism and atmospheric long-range transport from lowlands were identified as the main sources of MP pollution. Precipitation events (snow and rain) were reported as key events in MP deposition and fallout. Further studies are needed to better understand the effects of MP pollution on aquatic food webs and ecosystem resources (e.g., drinking water) in these key ecosystems.

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Section: Microplastics Occurrence In High-mountain Lakessupporting

confidence: 73%

Section: Microplastics Occurrence In High-mountain Lakesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Microplastics Occurrence In High-mountain Lakesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Concluding Remarks and Future Perspectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

High-mountain lakes as indicators of microplastic pollution: current and future perspectives

Pastorino¹,

Prearo²,

Pizzul³

et al. 2022

WECN

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…However, pollution and encroachment has led to their dilapidation in many cities (e.g. Neelavannan et al [2022]; Kumar et al [2018]).…”

Section: Degrading Lakes Ponds and Wetlandsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Healthy Urban Rivers as a Panacea to Pandemic-Related Stress: How to Manage Urban Rivers

Shinde¹,

Kumar²,

Joshi³

et al. 2022

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During the lockdown imposed due to the first wave of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, there were several media reports of citizens flouting the lockdown rules in the United States. Upon closer investigation it was found that the rules were flouted mostly so that people could spend time outdoors in natural environments. This exemplifies the role of the natural environment as a panacea to the mental stress created by pandemics. River ecosystems are perhaps the greatest natural feature of any city. Efficient management of urban rivers, therefore, is strongly correlated to crisis management during pandemics like COVID-19.

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Microplastics in Freshwater Environments

Mihai

Markley

Khan

et al. 2023

Microplastics in the Ecosphere

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Microplastics in the high-altitude Himalayas: Assessment of microplastic contamination in freshwater lake sediments, Northwest Himalaya (India)

Cited by 98 publications

References 89 publications

High-mountain lakes as indicators of microplastic pollution: current and future perspectives

High-mountain lakes as indicators of microplastic pollution: current and future perspectives

Healthy Urban Rivers as a Panacea to Pandemic-Related Stress: How to Manage Urban Rivers

Microplastics in Freshwater Environments

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