Microplastics in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, USA: Occurrence and biological uptake.

ABSTRACT: Microplastics are an environmental contaminant of growing concern, but there is a lack of information about microplastic distribution, persistence, availability, and biological uptake in freshwater systems. This is especially true for large river systems like the Colorado River that spans multiple states through mostly rural and agricultural land use. This study characterized the quantity and morphology of microplastics in different environmental compartments in two large reservoirs along the Colorado River: Lakes Mead and Mohave, within Lake Mead National Recreation Area. To assess microplastic occurrence, surface water and surficial sediment were sampled at a total of nine locations. Sampling locations targeted different sub-basins with varying levels of anthropogenic impact. Las Vegas W

SUBMITTER: Baldwin AK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7197774 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature