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Seasonal and spatial variations of microplastics in surface waters of Sansha Bay, a typical mariculture bay in the East China Sea
Summary
Scientists found tiny plastic particles (microplastics) in the water of a major seafood-farming bay in China, with pollution levels spiking in fall and winter—likely from breakdown of fish farm equipment and runoff from rivers. Since the seafood grown in these waters ends up on dinner tables, this microplastic contamination could work its way up the food chain and into the people who eat it, raising concerns about long-term food safety that scientists say need closer monitoring and stronger pollution controls.
Microplastic (MP) pollution in fishery waters has attracted growing attention globally, owing to its potential adverse impacts on aquatic organisms and ecosystem stability. This study systematically investigated the spatiotemporal variations in the concentration, morphological characteristics, and polymer compositions of MPs in surface seawaters of Sansha Bay (SSB), a coastal region renowned for intensive mariculture and its critical role as a fishery stock enhancement area. The results showed that MP concentrations varied significantly across seasons: 18.28 ± 6.66 n/L (April), 10.72 ± 8.10 n/L (June), 50.44 ± 22.20 n/L (September), and 55.88 ± 18.10 n/L (December), with an annual average of 33.83 ± 22.64 n/L, suggesting notable MP contamination in SSB. Morphologically, the predominant MPs were transparent in color, with fibrous and fragmented shapes, and sizes ranging from 0.05 to 1.0 mm. Regarding polymer composition, rayon was the most abundant (31.4%), followed by polypropylene (20.6%), polyethylene terephthalate (18.6%), polyethylene (17.7%) and polystyrene (11.8%), suggests that MPs in this area primarily originate from the degradation of mariculture infrastructure and riverine input. Importantly, the pollution load index assessment revealed moderate to high ecological risks across all seasons, with the highest risks recorded in September and December. The elevated MP load in SSB may pose direct threats to the health of farmed organisms, the efficacy of fishery stock enhancement efforts, and ultimately, human food safety via the food chain. These findings highlight the urgency of implementing stringent waste management strategies and targeted pollution control measures in SSB to safeguard its ecological integrity and ensure the long-term sustainability of local aquaculture and fishery industries.