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Long-term pollution status of microplastics in sediment of a typical mariculture area
Summary
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.