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Microplastics
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Microplastics in Freshwater Ecosystems
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Microplastics in Freshwater Ecosystems

A special issue of Microplastics (ISSN 2673-8929).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 8605

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Piotr Zieliński

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Water Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Bialystok, 15-245 Bialystok, Poland
Interests: microplastic; freshwater ecology; water quality; river restoration; bacteria; climate change

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Freshwater ecosystems, including lakes, rivers, reservoirs, ponds, and wetlands, play a fundamental role in sustaining biodiversity, providing drinking water, supporting fisheries, and ensuring a wide range of ecosystem services essential for human well-being. However, increasing amounts of plastic debris have entered these systems, both in the water column and sediments, where they undergo fragmentation processes leading to the formation of microplastics. These particles are highly persistent, widely dispersed, and capable of interacting with aquatic organisms at all levels of biological organization, thereby posing risks to ecological balance, water quality, and ultimately to human health.

Compared to marine environments, freshwater ecosystems frequently function both as transport pathways and as sinks for microplastics before they reach the oceans. Nevertheless, research on microplastics in lakes, rivers, and other freshwater bodies remains less advanced, which results in significant knowledge gaps concerning their sources, transport dynamics, environmental fate, and ecological impacts. Moreover, standardized methodologies for sampling, identification, and quantification are still under development, which limits comparability across studies and provides a robust scientific basis for effective management strategies, regulatory frameworks, and policy development.

This Special Issue seeks to address these challenges by inviting research contributions on the following topics, including but not limited to:

  • Sources, pathways, and sinks of microplastics in freshwater ecosystems.
  • Interactions of microplastics in the water column and sediments with aquatic biota across different trophic levels.
  • Methodological challenges, including the development, validation, and harmonization of sampling strategies, analytical techniques, and data comparability for the detection, quantification, and characterization of microplastics.
  • Long-term monitoring programs, seasonal dynamics, and spatial distribution of microplastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems.
  • Environmental and anthropogenic drivers influencing the abundance, composition, and physicochemical characteristics of microplastics (e.g., polymer type, size distribution, surface properties, and sorption of contaminants).
  • Experimental and modeling studies on the transport, transformation, degradation, and ultimate fate of microplastics in freshwater environments.
  • The role of biofilms and microbiomes in the transport and transformation of microplastics.
  • Ecotoxicological impacts of microplastics on aquatic organisms, trophic transfer, and broader implications for ecosystem functioning, food web dynamics, and human health.
  • Innovative monitoring strategies, early-warning systems, risk assessment tools, and mitigation approaches aimed at reducing microplastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems.

The aim of this Special Issue is to compile original research articles, reviews, and methodological advances that enhance our understanding of microplastics in freshwater ecosystems, highlight emerging technologies, and provide a scientific basis for effective management strategies and policy development.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Piotr Zieliński
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Microplastics is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • microplastics
  • freshwater ecosystems
  • ecological impacts
  • pollution management

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 5451 KB  
Article
Microplastics in Surface Water, Water Column, and Sediments: Emergent Contaminants in Alhajuela Lake Reservoir in the Panama Canal Watershed
by Denise Marie Delvalle Borrero, Carlos Mazariegos-Ortíz, Anthony Guardia and Diego Vásquez
Microplastics 2026, 5(2), 68; https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics5020068 - 8 Apr 2026
Viewed by 538
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) contamination in freshwater systems has emerged as a growing environmental concern. This study investigated the occurrence and seasonal variability of MPs in surface water, the water column, and sediments at selected sites in Lake Alhajuela, Panama. Lake Alhajuela is an artificial [...] Read more.
Microplastic (MP) contamination in freshwater systems has emerged as a growing environmental concern. This study investigated the occurrence and seasonal variability of MPs in surface water, the water column, and sediments at selected sites in Lake Alhajuela, Panama. Lake Alhajuela is an artificial reservoir that supplies water to the Panama Canal lock system and to the cities of Panama and Colón, serving more than 50% of the country’s population. MPs were isolated using two digestion protocols followed by density separation, and fragments and films larger than 1 mm were chemically characterized using FTIR–ATR spectroscopy. Mean MP concentrations were 759 ± 536 MPs L−1 in surface water, 328 ± 140 MPs L−1 in the water column, and 109 ± 87 MPs g−1 in sediments. Statistical analyses revealed no significant differences among sampling sites; however, significant seasonal differences were observed (p < 0.01). Smaller MPs (63–249 µm) were more abundant compared to larger MPs (>250 µm). Fragments and fibers were the most predominant type of MP reported. Our results confirm the presence of MPs in the surface and water column, as well as sediments of the Alhajuela Lake. Further studies are needed to elucidate the fate, sources, transport, and distribution of MPs across Lago Alhajuela as well as to assess the lake’s potential contribution of MPs to Gatun Lake and the Panama Canal system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microplastics in Freshwater Ecosystems)
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11 pages, 2857 KB  
Article
Aqueous Eluates of Foamed Plastic Consumer Products may Induce High Toxicity to Aquatic Biota
by Irina Blinova, Aljona Lukjanova, Anne Kahru, Villem Aruoja and Margit Heinlaan
Microplastics 2026, 5(1), 49; https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics5010049 - 6 Mar 2026
Viewed by 507
Abstract
Plastic pollution is a global challenge. Despite plastics being complex chemical mixtures, hazard research has focused on particulate forms and the risks of plastic additives, especially for environmental organisms, remain poorly understood. This is a significant knowledge gap considering ubiquitous organismal exposure to [...] Read more.
Plastic pollution is a global challenge. Despite plastics being complex chemical mixtures, hazard research has focused on particulate forms and the risks of plastic additives, especially for environmental organisms, remain poorly understood. This is a significant knowledge gap considering ubiquitous organismal exposure to plastics and the associated 16,000+ additives. The aim of this study was to provide ecotoxicological characterization of aqueous eluates of foamed plastic consumer products and propose a test battery for toxicity screening. To achieve this, the hazard of eluates of six randomly selected foamed plastic products was evaluated using aquatic decomposers, autotrophs and heterotrophs (Vibrio fischeri, Raphidocelis subcapitata, Lemna minor, Thamnocephalus platyurus, Heterocypris incongruens, Daphnia magna). Alarmingly, all plastic eluates affected the organisms, though toxicity varied among materials and species. Results showed that short-term contact may underestimate plastic eluate toxicity. To increase the environmental relevance of hazard assessment of foamed plastic eluates, harmonizing leachate preparation, using natural water and avoiding (excessive) filtration of eluates should be considered. OECD/ISO assays with R. subcapitata, H. incongruens and D. magna (96 h) can be recommended as a minimal sensitive battery for effective screening of plastic eluate toxicity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microplastics in Freshwater Ecosystems)
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20 pages, 3118 KB  
Article
Microplastic Presence in the Río Bravo/Grande Along the Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico–El Paso, Texas, United States of America Metroplex
by Stephanie Hernández-Carreón and Judith Virginia Ríos-Arana
Microplastics 2026, 5(1), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics5010034 - 14 Feb 2026
Viewed by 2099
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) have been detected in aquatic environments worldwide; however, freshwater systems remain underexplored. MPs’ presence has not been reported yet in the Río Bravo/Grande at the Mexico–United States border. In 2022 and 2023, water (30 L) and sediment (~500 g) samples were [...] Read more.
Microplastics (MPs) have been detected in aquatic environments worldwide; however, freshwater systems remain underexplored. MPs’ presence has not been reported yet in the Río Bravo/Grande at the Mexico–United States border. In 2022 and 2023, water (30 L) and sediment (~500 g) samples were collected at the river along the El Paso (U.S.)–Juárez (Mexico) municipalities. Water and sediment were digested using H2O2 or NaOH to isolate (CaCl2), dye (Nile Red), quantify, and classify MPs by fluorescence microscopy. The number of microparticles detected in water and sediment ranged from 0.4 to 17 particles/L and 2.8 × 103–1.0 × 104 particles/kg, respectively. Similar concentrations of microparticles were estimated in water among sampled sites (ANOVA) in 2022 (p = 0.432, α = 0.05) and 2023 (p = 0.255, α = 0.05), but there were differences in sediments (2022, p < 0.01; 2023, p = 0.032. α = 0.05). Fibres, fragments, and films, with sizes ranging from 12.62 to 4282.25 µm, were found in the samples. Fibres were the most abundant shape in water (71.94%) and sediments (91.07%). MP concentrations varied in water and sediments in both years. The data generated by this study provide new insights into feasible methods for MP detection and its presence in the Río Bravo/Grande. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microplastics in Freshwater Ecosystems)
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17 pages, 1700 KB  
Article
Urban River Microplastics as Vectors for Pharmaceutical Contaminants in a Savannah Region (Caatinga Biome)
by Yannice Tatiane da Costa Santos, Anderson Targino da Silva Ferreira, Lyndyanne Dias Martins, Hellen da Silva Sousa, Francisco Wedson Faustino, Maria Carolina Hernandez Ribeiro, Maria Kuznetsova, Anderson Zanardi de Freitas and Niklaus Ursus Wetter
Microplastics 2026, 5(1), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics5010013 - 16 Jan 2026
Viewed by 695
Abstract
The study investigates the presence of emerging contaminants in a river within a watershed located in the Brazilian semiarid region, specifically within the Caatinga biome, emphasizing the importance of environmental monitoring in areas that have historically been underrepresented in scientific research. The analysis [...] Read more.
The study investigates the presence of emerging contaminants in a river within a watershed located in the Brazilian semiarid region, specifically within the Caatinga biome, emphasizing the importance of environmental monitoring in areas that have historically been underrepresented in scientific research. The analysis focused on the associations between microplastics and pharmaceutical compounds, demonstrating that the discharge of untreated domestic effluents and the low efficiency of sanitation systems increase water resource contamination and threaten water security. The interdependence between these variables underscores the need for integrated public policies for waste management, complemented by environmental education strategies and technological innovations. The work makes an unprecedented contribution to expanding knowledge about emerging pollutants in semiarid environments, highlighting the urgency of holistic approaches, continuous monitoring, and strengthening environmental governance to ensure the sustainability and resilience of ecosystems like the Caatinga in the face of the challenges posed by global environmental change, urban growth, and those outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microplastics in Freshwater Ecosystems)
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22 pages, 1871 KB  
Article
Sorption of Pyrene and Fluoranthene onto Common Microplastics Under Freshwater Conditions
by Sara Exojo-Trujillo, Laura Higueras-Contreras, Pilar Hernández-Muñoz and Rafael Gavara
Microplastics 2026, 5(1), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics5010010 - 14 Jan 2026
Viewed by 738
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are recognised as emerging vectors for hydrophobic organic contaminants in aquatic environments due to their relatively large surface area and the diversity of their polymer chemistries compositions. This study investigates the sorption behaviour of two priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), pyrene [...] Read more.
Microplastics (MPs) are recognised as emerging vectors for hydrophobic organic contaminants in aquatic environments due to their relatively large surface area and the diversity of their polymer chemistries compositions. This study investigates the sorption behaviour of two priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), pyrene (PYR) and fluoranthene (FLU), onto six common MPs: poly(m-xylene adipamide) (PA-MXD6), high- and low-density polyethylene (HDPE, LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polylactic acid (PLA). Sorption isotherms and kinetics were evaluated under simulated freshwater conditions at environmentally relevant concentrations (1–50 µg·L−1). Despite the low MP concentration used (0.2 g·L−1), over 80% of the initial PAH content was removed by polyolefins, and more than 50% by all other MPs. Sorption capacity was strongly dependent on particle surface area. Langmuir, Henry, and Freundlich isotherms models were fitted, with linear behaviour prevailing at low concentrations. Analysis using the Dubini–-Radushkevich model confirmed that sorption involves chemisorption contributions, mainly through π–π interactions and hydrophobic interactions (polyolefins). Mechanistically, molecular diffusion within the MP matrix was not governing the sorption process, as diffusion coefficients varied with particle size instead of polymer chemistry. Instead, sorption appears to be governed by PAH diffusion through the hydrodynamic boundary layer and subsequent retention on the MP surface. Empirically, kinetic data fitted the pseudo-second-order model, further supporting that the sorption process involves chemisorption. These findings highlight the role of MPs as vectors for PAHs in freshwater systems and their potential application in contaminant removal. Expressing sorption per unit surface area is recommended for accurate assessment. This work contributes to understanding the environmental behaviour of MPs and their implications for pollutant transport and toxicity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microplastics in Freshwater Ecosystems)
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19 pages, 1582 KB  
Article
Sticking Efficiency of Microplastic Particles in Terrestrial Environments Determined with Atomic Force Microscopy
by Robert M. Wheeler and Steven K. Lower
Microplastics 2026, 5(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics5010006 - 9 Jan 2026
Viewed by 545
Abstract
Subsurface deposition determines whether soils, aquifers, or ocean sediment represent a sink or temporary reservoir for microplastics. Deposition is generally studied by applying the Smoluchowski–Levich equation to determine a particle’s sticking efficiency, which relates the number of particles filtered by sediment to the [...] Read more.
Subsurface deposition determines whether soils, aquifers, or ocean sediment represent a sink or temporary reservoir for microplastics. Deposition is generally studied by applying the Smoluchowski–Levich equation to determine a particle’s sticking efficiency, which relates the number of particles filtered by sediment to the probability of attachment occurring from an interaction between particles and sediment. Sticking efficiency is typically measured using column experiments or estimated from theory using the Interaction Force Boundary Layer (IFBL) model. However, there is generally a large discrepancy (orders of magnitude) between the values predicted from IFBL theory and the experimental column measurements. One way to bridge this gap is to directly measure a microparticle’s interaction forces using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Herein, an AFM method is presented to measure sticking efficiency for a model polystyrene microparticle (2 μm) on a model geomaterial surface (glass or quartz) in environmentally relevant, synthetic freshwaters of varying ionic strength (de-ionized water, soft water, hard water). These data, collected over nanometer length scales, are compared to sticking efficiencies determined through traditional approaches. Force measurement results show that AFM can detect extremely low sticking efficiencies, surpassing the sensitivity of column studies. These data also demonstrate that the 75th to 95th percentile, rather than the mean or median force values, provides a better approximation to values measured in model column experiments or field settings. This variability of the methods provides insight into the fundamental mechanics of microplastic deposition and suggests AFM is isolating the physicochemical interactions, while column experiments also include physical interactions like straining. Advantages of AFM over traditional column/field experiments include high throughput, small volumes, and speed of data collection. For example, at a ramp rate of 1 Hz, 60 sticking efficiency measurements could be made in only a minute. Compared to column or field experiments, the AFM requires much less liquid (μL volume) making it effortless to examine the impact of solution chemistry (temperature, pH, ionic strength, valency of dissolved ions, presence of organics, etc.). Potential limitations of this AFM approach are presented alongside possible solutions (e.g., baseline correction, numerical integration). If these challenges are successfully addressed, then AFM would provide a completely new approach to help elucidate which subsurface minerals represent a sink or temporary storage site for microparticles on their journey from terrestrial to oceanic environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microplastics in Freshwater Ecosystems)
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22 pages, 3603 KB  
Article
Land Use and Rainfall as Drivers of Microplastic Transport in Canal Systems: A Case Study from Upstate New York
by Md Nayeem Khan Shahariar, Addrita Haque, Thomas M. Holsen and Abul B. M. Baki
Microplastics 2025, 4(4), 106; https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics4040106 - 15 Dec 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1432
Abstract
Microplastic pollution in freshwater systems represents a growing environmental concern, yet the dynamics of microplastic distributions in smaller tributaries like canals/creeks remain understudied. This case study presents an investigation of microplastic contamination in a canal system in upstate New York, USA, examining land [...] Read more.
Microplastic pollution in freshwater systems represents a growing environmental concern, yet the dynamics of microplastic distributions in smaller tributaries like canals/creeks remain understudied. This case study presents an investigation of microplastic contamination in a canal system in upstate New York, USA, examining land use and rainfall that influence microplastic abundance, distribution, and characteristics. Water and sediment samples were collected bi-weekly (June–August 2023) from sites representing runoff from diverse land-use types: agricultural areas, residential zones, academic buildings, and parking lots. The study reveals significant land-use dependent variations in contamination, with mean concentrations of 17 ± 7 items/L in the water column, while suspended sediment and bedload reached 540 ± 230 items/kg and 370 ± 80 items/kg, respectively. Upstream water column exhibited the highest loads (27 ± 2 items/L), driven by cumulative agricultural and commercial inputs, while downstream declines highlighted vegetation-mediated sedimentation. Land-use patterns strongly influenced contamination profiles, with parking lots exhibiting tire-wear fragments, artificial turf contributing polyethylene particles, and residential areas contributing 43% textile fibers. Rainfall intensity and antecedent dry days differentially influenced transport mechanisms. Antecedent dry days strongly predicted parking lot runoff fluxes surpassing rainfall intensity effects and underscored impervious surfaces as transient microplastic reservoirs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microplastics in Freshwater Ecosystems)
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Review

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23 pages, 3470 KB  
Review
Plastic Microbead Accumulation in Our Freshwaters: North American Great Lakes Assessments and Perspectives
by Mary Torrance, Emma Gillies, Tristan H. Borchers, Avery Shoemaker, Clarisse Chiche-Lapierre and Christopher J. Barrett
Microplastics 2026, 5(1), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics5010018 - 28 Jan 2026
Viewed by 963
Abstract
Plastic microbeads, widely incorporated into personal care and cleansing products, have emerged as a pervasive contaminant in freshwater systems, including in North America. Historical estimates indicate that North American consumers alone contributed trillions of microbeads daily to municipal wastewater, with global usage reaching [...] Read more.
Plastic microbeads, widely incorporated into personal care and cleansing products, have emerged as a pervasive contaminant in freshwater systems, including in North America. Historical estimates indicate that North American consumers alone contributed trillions of microbeads daily to municipal wastewater, with global usage reaching quadrillions per day. Regulatory actions in 2017 in Canada and the USA to ban microbeads in personal care products appear to have greatly reduced microbead contamination levels, including a decrease in microbead proportion from 2 to 5% to 0.003%, and an 86% reduction in PE microbead discharge from wastewater treatment plants. Yet these particles still persist in the environment due to their resistance to degradation and continued release from unregulated sources, including industrial abrasives and certain cleaning agents. Studies across the Great Lakes, one of the world’s largest freshwater systems, have documented widespread microbead contamination in surface waters, sediments, and shorelines, highlighting their persistence and accumulation. This review synthesizes findings from key studies conducted between 2013 and 2017 to establish a pre-ban baseline of microbead distribution in the Great Lakes, and presents new data collected from 2018 to 2021 as a post-ban contamination assessment. The review emphasizes the unique challenges posed by microbeads within the broader context of microplastic pollution. We also hope that this paper underscores the critical role of polymer chemists and engineers in developing innovative materials and removal strategies to mitigate future contamination. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microplastics in Freshwater Ecosystems)
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