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An integrated assessment of microplastic pollution in coastal surface water and sediment of Japan
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Researchers conducted a comprehensive survey of microplastic pollution across 14 coastal locations around Japan from Hokkaido to Okinawa, measuring concentrations of 288.7 g/km2 in surface water and 1,185 kg/km2 in sediment and characterizing polymer types, shapes, and size distributions.
The ubiquity of microplastics in the marine environment has been highlighted in recent years, yet the extent of microplastics pollution in coastal areas, especially off the coast of Japan, remains unclear. Here we provide a comprehensive dataset of microplastic pollution in surface water and sediment around coastal Japan. The survey encompasses 14 locations along Japanese coasts from the northernmost in Hokkaido to the southern archipelago of Okinawa. The overall microplastic concentration was 288.7 ± 651.6 g km2 and 1,185 ± 3,829 kg km2 for surface water and sediment, respectively. A total of 53,674 particles were extracted from both sediment and surface water as suspected microplastics using a series of sieving, density separation and digestions. Using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, 85% of particles from surface water were identified as plastics and 70% in sediment. The main polymers found were the widely used polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene. Analysis of sources and pathways of microplastics revealed that rainfall, population, aquaculture and fisheries were major driver of microplastic concentrations. This comprehensive survey highlights the rapid sinking of microplastic in coastal areas and the urgent need for better waste management associated with marine activities especially in rural areas.
More Papers Like This
An Integrated Assessmentof Microplastic Pollutionin Coastal Surface Water and Sediment of Japan
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted an integrated assessment of microplastic pollution in coastal surface water and sediment around Japan, providing a comprehensive dataset that clarifies the extent of contamination in Japanese coastal areas previously lacking systematic monitoring data.
An Integrated Assessment of Microplastic Pollution in Coastal Surface Water and Sediment of Japan
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted a comprehensive survey of microplastic pollution in surface water and sediment at 15 coastal locations across Japan, from Hokkaido to Okinawa. They extracted over 53,000 suspected microplastic particles and identified the most common polymers using FTIR spectroscopy. The study provides an integrated baseline dataset for understanding the extent and distribution of microplastic contamination along Japanese coastlines.
Microplastic volumes in Tokyo Bay
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Researchers quantified microplastic volumes across multiple sites in Tokyo Bay, Japan, finding spatial variation linked to urban runoff and river inputs, with surface waters and sediments showing distinct accumulation patterns.
Spatiotemporal variations of surface water microplastics near Kyushu, Japan: A quali-quantitative analysis
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Researchers conducted six surveys over 14 months at nine stations near Kyushu, Japan, identifying 6,131 microplastic items with an average abundance of 0.49 items per square meter and average size of 1.71 mm. Spatiotemporal variability was high, with the greatest differences between sampling locations exceeding differences between seasons.
Microplastic abundance in the semi-enclosed Osaka Bay, Japan
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Researchers quantified microplastic abundance in the semi-enclosed Osaka Bay, Japan, finding elevated concentrations near river mouths and urban coastal zones, and characterizing dominant polymer types consistent with consumer plastics.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.