Toronto's Don River carries 36,000 kg of microplastics into Lake Ontario each year: Study

Microplastics in Toronto's Don River

Researchers at the University of Toronto have found that Toronto’s Don River carries over 500 billion microplastic particles into Lake Ontario each year, equivalent to about 36,000 kilograms.

This amount is comparable to the weight of 18 cars, highlighting the significant impact of microplastics on the environment.

The study, published in the journal Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A, demonstrates how litter from city streets travels through rivers to wetlands, lakes, and oceans, ultimately affecting the health of ecosystems downstream.

Reducing the use of single-use plastics has a significant impact on preventing litter from entering rivers and other aquatic ecosystems, say the researchers.

Author's summary: Toronto's Don River carries 36,000 kg of microplastics into Lake Ontario annually.

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University of Toronto University of Toronto — 2025-10-25

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