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Occurrence characteristics and multidimensional ecological risk assessment of microplastics in the Pearl River Estuary
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Scientists studied microplastic pollution in water, sediment, and fish from the Pearl River Estuary in southern China, finding tiny plastic fibers, mostly cellophane and polyethylene terephthalate, in all three. Fish intestines had the highest amounts. Risk assessments showed some locations had high levels of environmental risk from this pollution.
Microplastics (MPs) have attracted increasing concern because they pose notable ecological risks and seriously endanger human health. Estuaries, which serve as transition zones between rivers and oceans, play an important role in MP transport. This study investigated the abundances, polymer types, morphological characteristics, and ecological risk levels of MPs in a representative estuary region, namely the Pearl River Estuary in Southern China. The results revealed MP pollution in the estuary, with average abundances of 1116 n/m 3 and 2702 n/kg in water and sediments, respectively. The highest abundance was found in fish intestine, attributable to the selective ingestion and retention of MPs within the digestive tract. The detected MPs were dominated by cellophane and polyethylene terephthalate. The particles were mainly filamentous and fibrous, transparent or blue, and <1 mm in size. The ecological risk of MP pollution in the Pearl River Estuary was assessed using the pollution-load index, risk quotient, and probabilistic methods. The results demonstrated high environmental risk levels at individual sampling points in the Pearl River Estuary, highlighting the need for targeted mitigation strategies to prevent further ecological deterioration. Overall, the present results provide theoretical support for the environmental management of MPs. They also provide fundamental data and a scientific basis for the prevention and control of new pollutants and the construction of a healthy estuarine environment.
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Spatial Distribution, Key Influencing Factors, and Ecological Risk of Microplastics in Pearl River Estuary Water and Sediments
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Researchers mapped the distribution of microplastics in the water and sediments of the Pearl River Estuary in China and identified the key factors driving contamination levels. Fibers were the most common microplastic type found, and human activity along the coast strongly influenced pollution patterns. The study also assessed ecological risks and provides a framework for understanding how microplastics accumulate in heavily populated estuarine environments.
Low level of microplastic contamination in wild fish from an urban estuary
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Researchers found low levels of microplastic contamination in 26 wild fish species from the Pearl River Estuary, South China, with abundance and polymer composition varying by species feeding strategy and habitat depth, suggesting that estuarine fish exposure depends substantially on ecological niche.
Spatial distribution, morphology, and risk assessment of microplastics in sediment from the Pearl River Estuary, China
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Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in sediment from the Pearl River Estuary in China, one of the world's most densely populated coastal regions. They found microplastics widely distributed across the estuary, with varying shapes and polymer types linked to both urban and industrial sources. The study provides a risk assessment suggesting that sediment microplastic pollution in this ecosystem warrants ongoing monitoring and management.
Measurement, quantification, and potential risk of microplastics in the mainstream of the Pearl River (Xijiang River) and its estuary, Southern China
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Microplastic distribution was surveyed across the mainstream and estuary of China's Pearl River, finding higher concentrations near urban centers and establishing a detailed inventory of microplastic abundance, polymer types, and potential sources in this major waterway.
Abundance, Composition, and Potential Ecological Risks of Microplastics in Surface Water at Different Seasons in the Pearl River Delta, China
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Researchers measured microplastic abundance, composition, and ecological risk in surface water of the Pearl River Delta across different seasons, finding spatially uneven distribution with some sites showing far higher concentrations than others. Ecological risk scores were highest at sites near industrial zones and dense urban areas.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.