@article{28765d7d-bd4a-4dcc-b3c2-4380449d4154,
  abstract     = {{<p>Microplastics are pervasive in inland waters, yet large-scale association patterns of abundance and traits remain unclear. Here we compiled a global lake database integrating surface-water and sediment observations with 56 hydroclimatic and anthropogenic indicators. Most hydroclimatic variables show positive associations with abundance in surface waters but act oppositely in sediments. Leading contribution patterns differ: leaf area index and 2-m dew-point temperature rank highest in surface waters, whereas solar radiation and wind speed lead in sediments. To enable finer-scale evaluation, we conducted dense sampling in China, which hosts one of the world’s largest and most intensively studied lake systems. Hydroclimatic and anthropogenic fingerprints show clear cross-compartment contrasts: surface-water traits associate strongly with aquaculture production and rural income, while sediment traits more link to population aged 0–14 and chemical oxygen demand. Our findings imply a hydroclimate–human game across compartments, highlighting fingerprints structuring microplastic abundance and traits.</p>}},
  author       = {{Cao, Qing and Huang, Xiao and Jia, Benyou and Liu, Kanglong and Lall, Upmanu and Yin, Jiabo and Liu, Shuci and Berndtsson, Ronny and Shao, Quanxi and Fan, Ziwu}},
  issn         = {{2662-4435}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{1}},
  publisher    = {{Springer Nature}},
  series       = {{Communications Earth and Environment}},
  title        = {{Hydroclimatic and anthropogenic fingerprints drive the game between surface-water and sediment microplastics}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s43247-026-03559-z}},
  doi          = {{10.1038/s43247-026-03559-z}},
  volume       = {{7}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}