We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
A systematic review on microplastic contamination in marine sediment and water of Asia: Concentration, characterization, and polymeric risk assessment
Summary
This systematic review examines microplastic contamination in marine sediment and water across Asia, drawing from over 300 studies. The research found widespread contamination with fibers and fragments being the most common types, with polypropylene and polyethylene as the dominant plastics. This is relevant to human health because Asian coastal waters supply a significant portion of the world's seafood.
Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous in the marine environment and harmful for biodiversity. This review was based on 311 studies published on various online platforms published between 2006 and 2024 on MP contamination in marine sediment and water in different countries of Asia. The research highlights an increasing trend in MP contamination studies, with China and India. Analytical techniques for sample collection, digestion, flotation, and polymer identification are discussed. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) emerged as the preferred method for polymer identification. The maximum MP contamination in marine sediments was recorded at Taiwan and Indonesia, while the maximum MP contamination in marine water was recorded in China, Malaysia, and India. The fiber was the most dominant shape. The 1-2 mm and 500 μ-1 mm-sized MPs having blue color were found dominantly. The pollution indices revealed a very high risk of MP contamination in all the Asian countries. PRACTITIONER POINTS: China and India are the leading in publications on MP contamination studies. Common tools used are steel scoop/spatula/shovel for sediment, nets for water. FTIR is the preferred method for polymer identification. Highest MP in sediment of Indonesia and in water of China, Malaysia, and India. Dominant MP shape: fiber; size 1-2 mm and 500 μ-1 mm, blue color.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
A Systematic Review on Microplastic Contamination in Fishes of Asia: Polymeric Risk Assessment and Future Prospectives
This systematic review found widespread microplastic contamination in freshwater and saltwater fish across Asia, with polyethylene and polypropylene being the most common plastic types. Since fish is a major protein source for billions of people, this contamination represents a direct pathway for microplastics to enter the human diet.
A systematic review on microplastic contamination in marine Crustacea and Mollusca of Asia: Current scenario, concentration, characterization, polymeric risk assessment, and future Prospectives
This systematic review documented microplastic contamination in shellfish and crustaceans across Asia, finding 79 species affected. Since these seafood species are widely consumed, the presence of microplastics — especially polyethylene and polypropylene — in their tissues represents a direct route of human exposure through diet.
Distribution and environmental risk assessment of microplastics in continental shelf sediments in the southern East China Sea: A high-spatial-resolution survey
Researchers conducted a high-spatial-resolution survey of microplastics in surface sediments across the southern East China Sea continental shelf, finding omnipresent contamination dominated by polyethylene fibers and fragments, with concentrations elevated near urban coastal areas.
Assessment of Microplastic Contamination in Coastal Waters of Southeast Asia: Implications for Marine Ecosystems and Human Health
This review assessed microplastic contamination in coastal waters across Southeast Asia, synthesizing monitoring data to identify pollution hot spots, dominant polymer types, and the implications for regional marine ecosystem health.
Microplastic Accumulation in Hong Kong’s Marine Sediment: Spatial Pattern and Potential Sources
Researchers conducted a comprehensive survey of microplastics in marine sediments across Hong Kong's waters. They found microplastics at every sampling site, with fibers and fragments being the most common forms and polypropylene and polyethylene the dominant plastics. The spatial patterns suggest that coastal urbanization and water circulation are key factors driving where microplastics accumulate in sediments.