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Estuarine plastic dynamics: Analyzing export patterns from a typical semi-enclosed bay in Asia

Journal of Hazardous Materials 2025 3 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.

Tiefeng Cui, Tiefeng Cui, Feng Zhang, Feng Zhang, Feng Zhang, Kai Liu, Daoji Li, Jiao Meng, Daoji Li, Daoji Li, Lixin Zhu, Changxing Zong Jiao Meng, Jiao Meng, Tiefeng Cui, Tiefeng Cui, Jiao Meng, Changxing Zong Changxing Zong Nian Wei, Tiefeng Cui, Nian Wei, Nian Wei, J. G. Lu, Jiao Meng, Tiefeng Cui, Daoji Li, Jiao Meng, Tiefeng Cui, Nian Wei, Tiefeng Cui, Nian Wei, Jiao Meng, J. G. Lu, J. G. Lu, Jiao Meng, Jiao Meng, Lixin Zhu, Lixin Zhu, Lixin Zhu, Lixin Zhu, Lixin Zhu, Lixin Zhu, Lixin Zhu, Lixin Zhu, Lixin Zhu, Lixin Zhu, Lixin Zhu, Lixin Zhu, Lixin Zhu, Lixin Zhu, Lixin Zhu, Lixin Zhu, Lixin Zhu, Lixin Zhu, Daoji Li, Daoji Li, Tiefeng Cui, Tiefeng Cui, Feng Zhang, Lixin Zhu, Lixin Zhu, Lixin Zhu, Jiao Meng, Daoji Li, Jiao Meng, Lixin Zhu, Lixin Zhu, Nian Wei, Daoji Li, Nian Wei, Feng Zhang, Chunhua Jiang, Lixin Zhu, Jiao Meng, Lixin Zhu, Jiao Meng, Lixin Zhu, Nian Wei, Lixin Zhu, Lixin Zhu, Lixin Zhu, Nian Wei, Jiao Meng, Lixin Zhu, Nian Wei, Jiao Meng, Lixin Zhu, Lixin Zhu, Feng Zhang, Lixin Zhu, Lixin Zhu, Feng Zhang, Lixin Zhu, Feng Zhang, Feng Zhang, Lixin Zhu, Lixin Zhu, Nian Wei, Lixin Zhu, Lixin Zhu, Lixin Zhu, Changxing Zong Changxing Zong Nian Wei, Nian Wei, Lixin Zhu, Lixin Zhu, Nian Wei, Changxing Zong Daoji Li, Kai Liu, Nian Wei, Nian Wei, Lixin Zhu, Lixin Zhu, Lixin Zhu, Feng Zhang, Feng Zhang, Feng Zhang, Lixin Zhu, Daoji Li, Daoji Li, Daoji Li, Kai Liu, Kai Liu, Changxing Zong Changxing Zong Nian Wei, Changxing Zong Nian Wei, Nian Wei, Kai Liu, Changxing Zong Daoji Li, Lixin Zhu, Nian Wei, Daoji Li, Nian Wei, Daoji Li, Daoji Li, Daoji Li, Lixin Zhu, Nian Wei, Chunhua Jiang, Changxing Zong Daoji Li, Daoji Li, Changxing Zong Daoji Li, Daoji Li, Changxing Zong Daoji Li, Daoji Li, Feng Zhang, Chunhua Jiang, Daoji Li, Lixin Zhu, Daoji Li, Daoji Li, Changxing Zong Daoji Li, Daoji Li, Kai Liu, Tiefeng Cui, Daoji Li, Nian Wei, Tiefeng Cui, Feng Zhang, Daoji Li, Daoji Li, Lixin Zhu, Daoji Li, Changxing Zong Feng Zhang, Daoji Li, Lixin Zhu, Feng Zhang, Feng Zhang, Changxing Zong Jiao Meng, Nian Wei, J. G. Lu, Tiefeng Cui, Tiefeng Cui, Feng Zhang, Chunhua Jiang, Lixin Zhu, Daoji Li, Daoji Li, Lixin Zhu, Daoji Li, Daoji Li, Changxing Zong

Summary

Researchers mapped the distribution and export patterns of microplastics in Sanya Bay, a semi-enclosed bay in southern China. They found that low-density plastics like polypropylene accumulated near river mouths, while denser plastics settled near the bay's center, creating a dual-center distribution pattern. The study reveals how tidal dynamics and river discharge interact to determine where plastic pollution accumulates and exits these common coastal formations.

Polymers

PE PET PP PVC

Study Type Environmental

Semi-enclosed estuarine systems are recognized as hotspots for microplastic (MP) pollution, yet their export dynamics remain poorly understood. This study investigates the distribution of microplastics (<5 mm) and macroplastics (>5 mm) in Sanya Bay, a typical semi-enclosed bay in southern China. Based on 45 surface water samples, MP concentrations ranged from 0.298 to 4.010 items/m³ (mean: 1.628 ± 1.055), significantly higher than macroplastics (mean: 0.109 ± 0.338 items/m³). Most particles were fragments smaller than 5 mm, dominated by white, green, and transparent colors. The main polymers identified were polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). A "dual-center" pattern was observed: low-density plastics (e.g., PP, PE) accumulated near river mouths and offshore islands, while high-density plastics (e.g., PET, PVC) settled in estuarine zones. Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) revealed spatial clustering across estuarine, coastal, and offshore areas, influenced by land-based inputs, human activity, and hydrodynamic transport. This study provides new insights into plastic transport mechanisms in semi-enclosed bays and highlights the importance of integrating plastic properties with environmental forces. The findings support targeted pollution management in similar coastal environments.

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