We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Abundance and variation of microplastics between seasons in a tropical estuary: The case of Can Gio estuary, Vietnam
Summary
Researchers assessed seasonal variation in microplastic abundance and characteristics in the Can Gio estuary, Vietnam, across wet and dry seasons. Microplastic concentrations were higher during the wet season, with seasonal plastic transport linked to river discharge and rainfall-driven inputs from upstream urban sources.
Every year, millions of tons of plastic waste are dumped into the ocean from estuaries. The process of accumulating and converting plastic into microplastics (MPs) in this dynamic system has not received as much attention compared to the open-ocean region. Therefore, this study aimed at evaluating the seasonal variation in microplastic (MP) content at the Can Gio estuary, Vietnam, during the rainy and dry seasons of 2021 and 2022. Water, sediment, and biological samples were collected at four sites. MP contents ranged from 0.00134 ± 0.00043 to 0.00095 ± 0.00014 items/L in water surface samples, from 4.22 ± 0.46 to 2.44 ± 0.46 items/L in water column samples, and from 200 ± 13.68 to 90 ± 13.68items/kg in sediment samples. There was an interactive effect of seasonal fluctuation and the complex flow regime on the MP content. MP bioaccumulation in Saccostrea and Periophthalmodon schlosseri was 1.5 – 1.8 and 0.2 – 0.52 items/individual, respectively. The main MP shapes were fibers and fragments. The composition mainly consisted of polypropylene (45.45%), polyethylene (18.18%), polystyrene (9.09%) and other plastics (27.28%). The source of MPs can be projected from the macro-plastic stream accumulated at the sampling sites. This study found the presence of MPs in both seasons of the year, and the accumulation of MPs in this dynamic region is closely correlated with hydrological properties of the estuary.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Seasonal microplastic variations in estuarine sediments from urban canal on the west coast of Thailand: A case study in Phuket province
Researchers investigated seasonal variations in microplastic contamination in estuarine sediments from an urban canal in Phuket, Thailand. They found microplastic abundance was higher in the dry season than the rainy season, with rayon and polyester being the most common polymer types, suggesting that seasonal hydrological patterns and human activities both influence microplastic distribution in urban estuaries.
Influence of seasonal variations on the distribution characteristics of microplastics in the surface water of the Inner Gulf of Thailand
Researchers sampled surface water across 70-74 sites in the Inner Gulf of Thailand in both dry and wet seasons, finding microplastic concentrations 4 times higher in the wet season (34.59 pieces/L) than the dry season (8.70 pieces/L). River discharge was identified as the key driver of microplastic input to the coastal sea, and polypropylene and polyethylene were the dominant polymers.
Seasonal effects, spatial distribution, and possible sources of microplastics in the Chao Phraya River estuary, Thailand
This study tracked microplastic abundance and distribution in the Chao Phraya River estuary in Thailand across dry and wet seasons. Plastic levels varied significantly by season and location, with the estuary serving as a key pathway for plastic debris entering the marine environment.
Seasonal microplastics and meiofauna distributions in sediments along the Van Uc estuary in Vietnam
Seasonal surveys of microplastics and meiofauna in Van Uc estuary sediments in Vietnam found higher microplastic abundance in the dry season (4.34–5.93 items/g) than rainy season, with meiofauna community structure negatively associated with MP levels.
Insights into the seasonal distribution of microplastics and their associated biofilms in the water column of two tropical estuaries
Researchers tracked microplastic levels and the bacterial communities growing on them in a tropical estuary in southwest India across wet and dry seasons. Microplastic concentrations were about seven times higher during the wet season due to increased runoff, and the biofilms on these plastics included potentially harmful bacteria. The study shows that seasonal weather patterns influence how much microplastic contamination reaches coastal waters where local communities fish and collect seafood.