Microplastic and microcystin in tropical drinking water reservoir: pollution characteristics and human health risk assessment

doi:10.1007/s10661-025-14391-x

. 2025 Aug 1;197(8):974.

doi: 10.1007/s10661-025-14391-x.

Microplastic and microcystin in tropical drinking water reservoir: pollution characteristics and human health risk assessment

Thi Thuy Duong^{1

2}, Le Anh Pham³, Thanh Luu Pham⁴, Thi My Nguyen⁵, Thi Anh Nguyet Nguyen⁵, Sy Nguyen Nguyen⁵, Phuong Thao Pham⁵, Thi Quynh Hoang⁵, Duong Nguyen-Thuy⁶, Thi Minh Hanh Pham⁷, Viet Hai Nghiem^{8

9}, Van Hoi Bui¹⁰, Thi Thao Nguyen¹¹, Hoang Tung Do¹², Thi Oanh Doan¹³, Vu Trung Kien Hoang¹⁴, Thi Phuong Quynh Le¹⁵, Xuan Cuong Nguyen^{16

17}, McGowan Suzanne¹⁸

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Science and Technology for Energy and Environment, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, No. 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Nghia Do Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam. duongthuy0712@gmail.com.
² Graduate University of Science and Technology, Academy of Science and Technology, No. 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Nghia Do Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam. duongthuy0712@gmail.com.
³ Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH), No. 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Nghia Do Ward, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam. pham-le.anh@usth.edu.vn.
⁴ Faculty of Environment and Labour Safety, Ton Duc Thang University, No. 19 Nguyen Huu Tho Street, Tan Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam.
⁵ Institute of Science and Technology for Energy and Environment, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, No. 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Nghia Do Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam.
⁶ VNU University of Science, Vietnam National University, 334 Nguyen Trai Street, Thanh Xuan Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam.
⁷ Institute of Mechanics, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 264 Doi Can, Ngoc Ha Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam.
⁸ Graduate University of Science and Technology, Academy of Science and Technology, No. 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Nghia Do Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam.
⁹ Department of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, No. 10 Ton That Thuyet Street, Cau Giay Ward, Ha Noi, Vietnam.
¹⁰ Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH), No. 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Nghia Do Ward, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam.
¹¹ Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, LCE, Laboratoire Chimie Environnement, FR ECCOREV, ITEM, OCEAN, Aix-en-Provence, France.
¹² Institute of Physics, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 10 Dao Tan Street, Giang Vo Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam.
¹³ Faculty of Environment, Hanoi University of Natural Resources and Environment, No. 41 A, Phu Dien Street, Phu Dien Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam.
¹⁴ Thuy Loi University, 175 Tay Son, Kim Lien Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam.
¹⁵ Institute of Chemistry, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, No. 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Nghia Do Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam.
¹⁶ Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, 550000, Vietnam.
¹⁷ Faculty of Environmental Chemical Engineering, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, 550000, Vietnam.
¹⁸ Department of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, 6708 PB, The Netherlands.

PMID: 40751019
DOI: 10.1007/s10661-025-14391-x

Microplastic and microcystin in tropical drinking water reservoir: pollution characteristics and human health risk assessment

Thi Thuy Duong et al. Environ Monit Assess. 2025.

. 2025 Aug 1;197(8):974.

doi: 10.1007/s10661-025-14391-x.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Science and Technology for Energy and Environment, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, No. 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Nghia Do Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam. duongthuy0712@gmail.com.
² Graduate University of Science and Technology, Academy of Science and Technology, No. 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Nghia Do Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam. duongthuy0712@gmail.com.
³ Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH), No. 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Nghia Do Ward, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam. pham-le.anh@usth.edu.vn.
⁴ Faculty of Environment and Labour Safety, Ton Duc Thang University, No. 19 Nguyen Huu Tho Street, Tan Hung Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam.
⁵ Institute of Science and Technology for Energy and Environment, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, No. 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Nghia Do Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam.
⁶ VNU University of Science, Vietnam National University, 334 Nguyen Trai Street, Thanh Xuan Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam.
⁷ Institute of Mechanics, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 264 Doi Can, Ngoc Ha Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam.
⁸ Graduate University of Science and Technology, Academy of Science and Technology, No. 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Nghia Do Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam.
⁹ Department of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, No. 10 Ton That Thuyet Street, Cau Giay Ward, Ha Noi, Vietnam.
¹⁰ Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), University of Science and Technology of Hanoi (USTH), No. 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Nghia Do Ward, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam.
¹¹ Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, LCE, Laboratoire Chimie Environnement, FR ECCOREV, ITEM, OCEAN, Aix-en-Provence, France.
¹² Institute of Physics, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 10 Dao Tan Street, Giang Vo Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam.
¹³ Faculty of Environment, Hanoi University of Natural Resources and Environment, No. 41 A, Phu Dien Street, Phu Dien Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam.
¹⁴ Thuy Loi University, 175 Tay Son, Kim Lien Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam.
¹⁵ Institute of Chemistry, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, No. 18 Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Nghia Do Ward, Hanoi, Vietnam.
¹⁶ Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, 550000, Vietnam.
¹⁷ Faculty of Environmental Chemical Engineering, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, 550000, Vietnam.
¹⁸ Department of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, 6708 PB, The Netherlands.

PMID: 40751019
DOI: 10.1007/s10661-025-14391-x

Abstract

The presence of microplastics (MPs) and cyanobacterial toxins (microcystin, MC) in drinking water is a growing public health concern. This study investigated their occurrence and distribution in a tropical reservoir from June 2023 to May 2024. MPs were found at all sites, with an abundance ranging from 1.3 to 38.0 items m^-3, predominantly fibers under 2000 μm. Polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) were the prevalent polymer types. The pollution load index of MPs was low (PLI = 2.6, level 1), but their high polymer hazard (PHI = 905.4, category IV) and ecological risk (PERI = 696.5, Danger) indicate potential environmental threats in Hoa Binh Reservoir. The MC toxin analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) showed that total MC concentrations varied seasonally, with the highest value of 5.27 μg L^-1. Health risk assessment indicated that the overall risk from MCs in all sampling sites remains low (average HQ values of 0.14). This study confirmed the co-occurrence of MPs and MCs in all Hoa Binh Reservoir sampling locations during the entire study period, which could potentially favor the interaction between these contaminants. These findings highlight the need for more research on how MPs influence cyanotoxin, which is essential for developing effective water management and pollution control strategies in freshwater ecosystems.

Keywords: Drinking water reservoir; Ecological risk assessment; Microcystin; Microplastics; Tropical reservoir.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval: All authors have read, understood, and have complied as applicable with the statement on “Ethical responsibilities of Authors” as found in the Instructions for Authors. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

References

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1. Arman, T., & Clarke, J. D. (2021). Microcystin toxicokinetics, molecular toxicology, and pathophysiology in preclinical rodent models and humans. Toxins, 13, Article 537. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins13080537 - DOI
1. Astuti, L. P., Sugianti, Y., Warsa, A., & Sentosa, A. A. (2022). Water quality and eutrophication in Jatiluhur Reservoir, West Java, Indonesia. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies, 31, 1493–1503. https://doi.org/10.15244/pjoes/142475 - DOI
1. Baldwin, A. K., Spanjer, A. R., Rosen, M. R., & Thom, T. (2020). Microplastics in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, USA: Occurrence and biological uptake. PLoS One, 15, Article e0228896. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0228896 - DOI
1. Beaver, J. R., Kirsch, J. E., Tausz, C. E., Samples, E. E., Renicker, T. R., Scotese, K. C., McMaster, H. A., Blasius-Wert, B. J., Zimba, P. V., & Casamatta, D. A. (2018). Long-term trends in seasonal plankton dynamics in Lake Mead (Nevada-Arizona, USA) and implications for climate change. Hydrobiologia, 822, 85–109. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-018-3638-4 - DOI

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[1] Alfonso, M. B., Scordo, F., Seitz, C., Mavo Manstretta, G. M., Ronda, A. C., Arias, A. H., Tomba, J. P., Silva, L. I., Perillo, G. M. E., & Piccolo, M. C. (2020). First evidence of microplastics in nine lakes across Patagonia (South America). Science of the Total Environment, 733, Article 139385. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139385 - DOI

[2] Alfonso, M. B., Scordo, F., Seitz, C., Mavo Manstretta, G. M., Ronda, A. C., Arias, A. H., Tomba, J. P., Silva, L. I., Perillo, G. M. E., & Piccolo, M. C. (2020). First evidence of microplastics in nine lakes across Patagonia (South America). Science of the Total Environment, 733, Article 139385. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139385 - DOI

[3] Arman, T., & Clarke, J. D. (2021). Microcystin toxicokinetics, molecular toxicology, and pathophysiology in preclinical rodent models and humans. Toxins, 13, Article 537. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins13080537 - DOI

[4] Arman, T., & Clarke, J. D. (2021). Microcystin toxicokinetics, molecular toxicology, and pathophysiology in preclinical rodent models and humans. Toxins, 13, Article 537. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins13080537 - DOI

[5] Astuti, L. P., Sugianti, Y., Warsa, A., & Sentosa, A. A. (2022). Water quality and eutrophication in Jatiluhur Reservoir, West Java, Indonesia. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies, 31, 1493–1503. https://doi.org/10.15244/pjoes/142475 - DOI

[6] Astuti, L. P., Sugianti, Y., Warsa, A., & Sentosa, A. A. (2022). Water quality and eutrophication in Jatiluhur Reservoir, West Java, Indonesia. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies, 31, 1493–1503. https://doi.org/10.15244/pjoes/142475 - DOI

[7] Baldwin, A. K., Spanjer, A. R., Rosen, M. R., & Thom, T. (2020). Microplastics in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, USA: Occurrence and biological uptake. PLoS One, 15, Article e0228896. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0228896 - DOI

[8] Baldwin, A. K., Spanjer, A. R., Rosen, M. R., & Thom, T. (2020). Microplastics in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, USA: Occurrence and biological uptake. PLoS One, 15, Article e0228896. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0228896 - DOI

[9] Beaver, J. R., Kirsch, J. E., Tausz, C. E., Samples, E. E., Renicker, T. R., Scotese, K. C., McMaster, H. A., Blasius-Wert, B. J., Zimba, P. V., & Casamatta, D. A. (2018). Long-term trends in seasonal plankton dynamics in Lake Mead (Nevada-Arizona, USA) and implications for climate change. Hydrobiologia, 822, 85–109. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-018-3638-4 - DOI

[10] Beaver, J. R., Kirsch, J. E., Tausz, C. E., Samples, E. E., Renicker, T. R., Scotese, K. C., McMaster, H. A., Blasius-Wert, B. J., Zimba, P. V., & Casamatta, D. A. (2018). Long-term trends in seasonal plankton dynamics in Lake Mead (Nevada-Arizona, USA) and implications for climate change. Hydrobiologia, 822, 85–109. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-018-3638-4 - DOI

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Microplastic and microcystin in tropical drinking water reservoir: pollution characteristics and human health risk assessment

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Microplastic and microcystin in tropical drinking water reservoir: pollution characteristics and human health risk assessment

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