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Concentrations and carbonyl index of microplastic in surface seawater in southeastern coastal region off Japan, Northwestern Pacific

Marine Pollution Bulletin 2024 21 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 55 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

Jiaqi Zhang, Jiaqi Zhang, Jiaqi Zhang, Jiaqi Zhang, Zijiang Yang, Zijiang Yang, Zijiang Yang, Zijiang Yang, Zijiang Yang, Keiichi Uchida, Keiichi Uchida, Hisayuki Arakawa, Hisayuki Arakawa, Hisayuki Arakawa, Hisayuki Arakawa, Hisayuki Arakawa, Hisayuki Arakawa, Jiaqi Zhang, Jiaqi Zhang, Jiaqi Zhang, Hisayuki Arakawa, Hisayuki Arakawa, Hisayuki Arakawa, Voranop Viyakarn Hisayuki Arakawa, Hisayuki Arakawa, Hisayuki Arakawa, Hisayuki Arakawa, Keiichi Uchida, Keiichi Uchida, Keiichi Uchida, Keiichi Uchida, Keiichi Uchida, Ryuichi Hagita, Ryuichi Hagita, Sukchai Arnupapboon, Ryuichi Hagita, Ryuichi Hagita, Sukchai Arnupapboon, Zijiang Yang, Jiaqi Zhang, Jiaqi Zhang, Keiichi Uchida, Hisayuki Arakawa, Keiichi Uchida, Keiichi Uchida, Hisayuki Arakawa, Hisayuki Arakawa, Hisayuki Arakawa, Voranop Viyakarn Toshifumi Hayashi, Hisayuki Arakawa, Voranop Viyakarn Voranop Viyakarn Voranop Viyakarn Keiichi Uchida, Zijiang Yang, Keiichi Uchida, Toshifumi Hayashi, Toshifumi Hayashi, Ryuichi Hagita, Hisayuki Arakawa, Ryuichi Hagita, Keiichi Uchida, Hisayuki Arakawa, Hisayuki Arakawa, Hisayuki Arakawa, Hisayuki Arakawa, Hisayuki Arakawa, Jiaqi Zhang, Jiaqi Zhang, Sukchai Arnupapboon, Toshifumi Hayashi, Ryuichi Hagita, Ryuichi Hagita, Sukchai Arnupapboon, Keiichi Uchida, Hisayuki Arakawa, Hisayuki Arakawa, Voranop Viyakarn Hisayuki Arakawa, Hisayuki Arakawa, Anusorn Chanyim, Hisayuki Arakawa, Anusorn Chanyim, Hisayuki Arakawa, Hisayuki Arakawa, Anuphap Lorpai, Hisayuki Arakawa, Anuphap Lorpai, Ryuichi Hagita, Hisayuki Arakawa, Hisayuki Arakawa, Hisayuki Arakawa, Hisayuki Arakawa, Voranop Viyakarn Voranop Viyakarn Ryuichi Hagita, Voranop Viyakarn Toshifumi Hayashi, Hisayuki Arakawa, Voranop Viyakarn Hisayuki Arakawa, Voranop Viyakarn Toshifumi Hayashi, Ryuichi Hagita, Ryuichi Hagita, Hisayuki Arakawa, Keiichi Uchida, Hisayuki Arakawa, Keiichi Uchida, Keiichi Uchida, Keiichi Uchida, Voranop Viyakarn

Summary

Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in surface seawater along the southeastern coast of Japan, from Okinawa to the Tokai region. They found relatively low but measurable levels of microplastics at most stations, with higher concentrations near a coastal channel, and noted that many particles showed signs of environmental weathering. The study contributes baseline data on microplastic pollution in a major ocean current system in the Northwestern Pacific.

Polymers

PE PP PS

Study Type Environmental

In this study, microplastic concentrations in the southeastern coastal regions of Japan were measured along the northward ocean current at seven stations from Okinawa to Tokai region. Concentrations ranged from 0.014 to 0.094 pieces/m, except for a station near the Bungo Channel mouth, which had 0.723 pieces/m. Polystyrene (PS) foam was most prevalent near the east side of Kyushu, suggesting origination from nearby coastal areas. Fragmentation levels were higher in the Tokai region. In addition, carbonyl index (CI) of polyethylene (PE) microplastics increased northward, indicating northward movement from southern regions. Standard PE microplastics showed chemical treatment does not significantly alter CI values. Further spectral analysis suggested potential oxidation of polypropylene (PP) and PS foam by chemical treatment. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the abundance, distribution, and characteristics of microplastics in the southeastern coastal regions of Japan in the northwest Pacific, enhancing the understanding of environmental fate of microplastics.

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