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Long-term pollution status of microplastics in sediment of a typical mariculture area
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A six-year study of sediments in Sishili Bay, Yellow Sea, found that microplastic concentrations have been steadily rising each year, increasing from about 93 particles per kilogram in 2015 to over 200 particles per kilogram by 2021. PET and rayon fibers dominated the contamination, and the bay's semi-enclosed geography means pollutants accumulate rather than disperse, making it a worsening hotspot for seafloor plastic pollution.
Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive in various environmental media, posing a significant global issue. However, long-term data on marine MPs pollution trends are limited. This study investigates sediment samples from six stations in Sishili Bay, Yellow Sea, collected in 2015, 2018, and 2021, an area impacted by industrial, maricultural, and tourism activities. Findings reveal an annual increase in MPs abundance, with mean concentrations of 92.60 ± 23.93 items/kg.dw in 2015, 146.18 ± 14.80 items/kg.dw in 2018, and 203.21 ± 20.31 items/kg.dw in 2021. MPs distribution is spatially uniform, showing no significant seasonal changes, attributed to the bay's semi-enclosed nature. Predominant MPs are fibers (>70 %) and transparent particles (>35 %), with most particles <1000 μm. PET and Rayon are the main polymers identified. The study emphasizes the escalating MPs pollution in the mariculture area, highlighting the urgent need for targeted pollution control and mitigation strategies.
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Microplastic pollution in the surface sediments collected from Sishili Bay, North Yellow Sea, China
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Researchers investigated microplastic pollution in surface sediments from 28 stations in Sishili Bay in the North Yellow Sea, China, finding an average abundance of 499.76 items per kilogram dry weight with fibers dominating and eight polymer types identified including rayon and polyester.
Characteristics and spatiotemporal distribution of microplastics in sediments from a typical mariculture pond area in Qingduizi Bay, North Yellow Sea, China
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Researchers characterized the abundance, morphology, and spatiotemporal distribution of microplastics in sediments from mariculture ponds and offshore areas of Qingduizi Bay in northern China across winter and summer. Mariculture pond sediments had notably higher microplastic concentrations than offshore areas, with transparent polyethylene terephthalate fibres dominating.
Abundance, characteristics and ecological risks of microplastics from South Yellow Sea Mudflat
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Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in the mudflats of the South Yellow Sea and found plastic particles in both the water and sediment at all sampling locations. Areas near estuaries and ports had higher levels of microplastics in the water, while purely coastal mudflats accumulated more in their sediments. Although overall pollution levels were rated as low, the types of plastic polymers present indicated the potential for significant ecological risk.
High levels of microplastic pollution in the sediments and benthic organisms of the South Yellow Sea, China
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High concentrations of microplastics were found in both sediments and benthic organisms from the South Yellow Sea, with fibers as the dominant type and polymer compositions reflecting regional land-based and marine sources. The study identifies benthic ecosystems of the South Yellow Sea as significantly impacted by microplastic pollution, with potential risks to bottom-dwelling communities.
[Microplastics pollution in the Yellow River basin: current status and control strategy].
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This review summarizes microplastic contamination in the Yellow River basin, finding that pollution increases from upstream to downstream with the highest concentrations in the Yellow River Delta wetland, and that both sediment and surface water are impacted at levels posing risks to aquaculture and human health.
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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.