Plastic pollution is a serious problem worldwide. Worldwide, there are an estimated 5.25 trillion plastic particles (equivalent to 269 million tons), of which 92% are in the form of microplastics. Microplastics range in size from 1 to 5000 μm, they can enter the environment directly through products containing microplastics, such as detergents, toothpaste, cosmetics, or indirectly through the process of decomposition of large sized plastic materials. Not only that, microplastics can also enter the human body and creatures through many ways, such as eating, drinking, breathing and causing serious health risks.

Da Nang is one of the cities with rapid urbanization and population growth. Therefore, this place also faces a huge amount of plastic wastes that pollutes the water environment. It is estimated that each year this city releases 6,752 tons of plastic, of which about 1,087 tons enter the water system, creating a large accumulation of microplastics in urban rivers and lakes.

Currently in Vietnam there is not much information about plastic pollution in still water area (ponds and lakes). Face with this situation, scientists from the University of Education, Danang University conducted research on the current status and characteristics of microplastic pollution in seven inner-city lakes in Thanh Khe and Lien Chieu districts: Sen lake, Hoa Phu lake, Ham Nghi lake, Park lake, Bo De lake, Bau Trang lake, Bau Tram lake. These lakes are located in densely populated areas and play an important role in water and climate regulation, landscape and fish farming. However, people around the area have discharged household wastewater and thrown trash containing plastic into these lakes, causing them to become polluted.