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Plastics in the Aquatic Environment - Part I pp 255–272Cite as

Freshwater Microplastic Pollution: The State of Knowledge and Research

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Part of the book series: The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry ((HEC,volume 111))

Abstract

The presence of plastics and microplastics in freshwater ecosystems and biota has been reported in different parts of the world – even in most remote areas. Yet, scientific information on the extent of freshwater microplastic pollution is limited. Comprehensive assessments on plastics and microplastics in freshwater environments at global, regional, and basin scales are lacking. Human health and ecological effects of freshwater microplastic pollution remain unknown. Freshwater microplastic pollution is a new research area recently attracting attention from the academic community. Further research is needed to improve scientific knowledge on microplastic pollution in the world’s freshwater resources and to develop evidence-based appropriate policies and solutions to reduce microplastics in freshwater environments. The role of international scientific programmes such as the International Initiative on Water Quality of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) will be crucial for research promotion and knowledge generation to fill the knowledge gaps on freshwater microplastic pollution and its human health and ecological impacts.

The chapter focuses on the presence on microplastics in freshwater systems, their sources and pathways and associated potential human health and environmental risks. It presents a summary of the available scientific knowledge and information related to microplastics in freshwater environments, which were reviewed for a preliminary assessment of microplastics in freshwater environments conducted by UNESCO-IHP’s International Initiative on Water Quality between 2015 and 2017. Some studies published more recently have been included. It highlights knowledge gaps and research needs on freshwater microplastic pollution and recommends appropriate policies and solutions to prevent and reduce the discharge of microplastics to freshwater environments.

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Acknowledgements

The initial UNESCO case study on microplastics in freshwater was conducted in the framework of the UNESCO Project on Emerging Pollutants in Water, with the funding from the Government of Sweden through its Programme Cooperation Agreement with UNESCO (2014-2018). The UNESCO’s work on microplastics in freshwater has further benefitted from scientific expertise of researchers from around the world. In particular, UNESCO-IHP’s International Initiative on Water Quality wishes to thank (in alphabetical order): Michiel Roscam Abbing, Plastic Soup Foundation (the Netherlands); Nicole Brennholt, Federal Institute of Hydrology (Germany); Michiel De Smet, European Commission; Nanna B. Hartmann, Technical University of Denmark (Denmark); Alice A. Horton, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (United Kingdom); Liv Jaeckel, Technical University of Freiberg and HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management (Germany); Johanna Kramm, Institute for Social-Ecological Research (Germany); Helen Lynn, University of Stirling (United Kingdom); Margriet Samwel, Women Engage for a Common Future (the Netherlands); Friederike Stock, Federal Institute of Hydrology (Germany); Maria Antonia N. Tanchuling, University of the Philippines (the Philippines); and Martin Wagner, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (Norway). The results of the UNESCO’s work on microplastics in freshwater environments will be published in Microplastics in Freshwater Environments (upcoming) as volume 2 of the UNESCO Series on Emerging Pollutants in Water.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. UNESCO, Division of Water Sciences – Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme, Paris, France

    Sarantuyaa Zandaryaa

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  1. Sarantuyaa Zandaryaa
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Correspondence to Sarantuyaa Zandaryaa .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. German Federal Institute of Hydrology, Koblenz, Germany

    Friederike Stock

  2. German Federal Institute of Hydrology, Koblenz, Germany

    Georg Reifferscheid

  3. German Federal Institute of Hydrology, Koblenz, Germany

    Nicole Brennholt

  4. P.P. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

    Evgeniia Kostianaia

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Zandaryaa, S. (2021). Freshwater Microplastic Pollution: The State of Knowledge and Research. In: Stock, F., Reifferscheid, G., Brennholt, N., Kostianaia, E. (eds) Plastics in the Aquatic Environment - Part I. The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry, vol 111. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/698_2021_748

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