Macroplastics in Lakes: An Underrepresented Ecological Problem?

Lakes are the greatest reserve of available superficial inland fresh water and concurrently one most threatened ecosystems. Among many pollutants, plastics contaminate lakes worldwide; notwithstanding that, little is known on impacts macroplastics. The aim this work to provide first global overview scientific articles researching macroplastic pollution in lakes. Articles were selected from Web Science Scopus databases. We performed a bibliometric analysis results publication trend, geographical distribution study areas, investigated matrix (i.e., water, sediment, biota), as well abundance type shape, litter category, polymer) lacustrine also compared articles’ methodologies. Fourteen collected (the trend increasing recent years), showing diffuse contamination by Research efforts mostly focused shoreline assessments. There lack information methodological standardisation size definition, sampling protocol, categories), which limits comparison article outputs. propose definition macroplastics >5 mm adoption UNEP/IOC protocol sample lake shoreline. suggest focusing future investigations (1) testing standardisation, (2) understanding factors influencing dispersal, (3) assessing biota.