Microplastics and anthropogenic fibre concentrations in lakes reflect surrounding land use

Pollution from microplastics and anthropogenic fibres threatens lakes, but we know little about what factors predict its accumulation. Lakes may be especially contaminated because of long water retention times proximity to pollution sources. Here, surveyed microparticles, i.e., fibres, in surface waters 67 European lakes spanning 30° latitude large environmental gradients. By collating data >2,100 published net tows, found that microparticle concentrations our field survey were higher than previously reported comparable rivers oceans. We then related surrounding land use, chemistry, plastic emissions sites estimated local hydrology, population density, waste production. Microparticle quadrupled as both mismanaged inputs wastewater treatment loads increased catchments. Concentrations decreased by 2 5 over the range forest cover potential in-lake biodegradation, respectively. As debris continues pollute environment, will help contextualise future work, models can inform control remediation efforts.