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Characteristics, influencing factors, and ecological risks of microplastics in the north branch tidal marshes of the Yangtze River estuary

Environmental Pollution 2025 10 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 58 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Qing Wang Qing Wang Qing Wang Qing Wang Qing Wang Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Qing Wang Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Qing Wang Songshuo Li, Yongcheng Ding, Songshuo Li, Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Qing Wang Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Qing Wang Yongcheng Ding, Qing Wang Qing Wang Qing Wang Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Qing Wang Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Qing Wang Qing Wang Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Qing Wang Yongcheng Ding, Qing Wang Yongcheng Ding, Qing Wang Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Qing Wang Yongcheng Ding, Qing Wang Qing Wang Yongcheng Ding, Qing Wang Qing Wang Qing Wang Qing Wang Qing Wang Qing Wang Qing Wang Yongcheng Ding, Qing Wang Qing Wang Qing Wang Qing Wang Yongcheng Ding, Qing Wang Qing Wang Qing Wang Qing Wang Qing Wang Qing Wang Qing Wang Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Yongcheng Ding, Qing Wang Yongcheng Ding, Qing Wang Qing Wang Qing Wang Yongcheng Ding, Songshuo Li, Qing Wang Qing Wang Yongcheng Ding, Qing Wang Songshuo Li, Qing Wang Qing Wang Qing Wang Qing Wang Qing Wang

Summary

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in tidal marshes at the Yangtze River estuary and found an average of about 507 particles per kilogram of sediment. The distribution was strongly influenced by salinity and vegetation type, with freshwater areas dominated by reeds containing more microplastics than saltwater zones. The study highlights how seawater intrusion and plant communities shape where microplastics accumulate in these ecologically sensitive coastal wetlands.

Polymers

PE PS

Study Type Environmental

Microplastic pollution is a growing global environmental issue, particularly in vulnerable tidal marsh ecosystems, where its environmental behaviour and ecological risks remain poorly understood. This study investigated the microplastic contamination in the north branch tidal marshes of the Yangtze River estuary. Surface sediment samples were collected from 42 stations across 6 transects, revealing an average microplastic abundance of 506.80 ± 386.82 items/kg. The distribution of microplastics was strongly influenced by salinity and vegetation, with seawater intrusion playing a critical role. A significant negative correlation between salinity and microplastic abundance was observed; areas dominated by Phragmites australis (low salinity) had higher microplastic abundance compared to high-salinity areas with sparse vegetation. 12 types of microplastics were identified, with polyethylene and polystyrene being the most abundant (20 % and 19 %, respectively). The most common colours were transparent (26 %) and yellow (23 %), while the predominant shapes were granular (37 %) and fragmentary (32 %). Most microplastics measured under 2000 μm, with the 200-500 μm size range accounting for 49 % of the total. Likely sources of microplastics include aquaculture equipment, industrial products, agricultural cultivation supplies, and daily necessities. Although the ecological risk index for the region is relatively low, the presence of diverse species highlights potential ecological threats.

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