Christopher M. Free, Olaf P. Jensen, Sherri A. Mason, Marcus Eriksen,
Nicholas J. Williamson, Bazartseren Boldgiv, High-levels of microplastic
pollution in a large, remote, mountain lake, Marine Pollution Bulletin,
Volume 85, Issue 1, 15 August 2014, Pages 156-163, ISSN 0025-326X,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.06.001.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X14003622)
Abstract: Despite the large and growing literature on microplastics in
the ocean, little information exists on microplastics in freshwater
systems. This study is the first to evaluate the abundance,
distribution, and composition of pelagic microplastic pollution in a
large, remote, mountain lake. We quantified pelagic microplastics and
shoreline anthropogenic debris in Lake Hovsgol, Mongolia. With an
average microplastic density of 20,264 particles km?2, Lake Hovsgol is
more heavily polluted with microplastics than the more developed Lakes
Huron and Superior in the Laurentian Great Lakes. Fragments and films
were the most abundant microplastic types; no plastic microbeads and few
pellets were observed. Household plastics dominated the shoreline debris
and were comprised largely of plastic bottles, fishing gear, and bags.
Microplastic density decreased with distance from the southwestern
shore, the most populated and accessible section of the park, and was
distributed by the prevailing winds. These results demonstrate that
without proper waste management, low-density populations can heavily
pollute freshwater systems with consumer plastics.
Keywords: Aquatic pollution; Plastic pollution; Microplastics; Lake
Hovsgol; Lake Khuvsgul; Lake Khubsugul