Microplastics in freshwater reservoirs of protected areas on the example of lakes of the «Valdai» National Park

The article deals with the problem of pollution of freshwater reservoirs by micro- and macroplastics arising during the decomposition of plastic waste. Special attention is paid to the appearance of microplastics in lakes of specially protected areas, in particular, in lakes of the Valdai National Park. As a result of reconnaissance studies, microplastic particles were found in lakes used for fisheries and recreational purposes. There is no contamination by polymer microparticles in the lakes of the protected area. Research conducted at the St. Petersburg State University of Marine Sciences shows that microplastic particles are found in most fish food packages, this amount is not large, but over the period of existence of the fishery site, a significant amount of plastic particles accumulates in the water and bottom sediments, which is a source of secondary pollution of the reservoir. As a result of reconnaissance studies, microplastic particles were found in lakes used for fishery and recreational purposes. Only lakes Bolshoe and Maloe Yaichko are free of microplastics, which is due to their protection regime and inaccessibility.