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Microplastics in Hong Kong's marine waters: Impact of rainfall and Pearl River discharge
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Researchers systematically tracked microplastic levels in Hong Kong's coastal waters from 2019 to 2021 and found that seasonal rainfall was a much bigger driver of contamination than pandemic-related factors like mask use. Microplastic abundance was significantly higher during the wet season, with surface runoff from rain carrying land-based pollution into the ocean. Sites closer to the Pearl River Delta had the highest levels, indicating that river discharge is a major source of marine microplastic contamination in the region.
This study provided a systematic investigation of microplastics in Hong Kong's surface marine waters during the pandemic from 2019 to 2021. Microplastics (2.07 ± 4.00 particles/m) exhibited significant temporal variations with higher abundance in the wet season, without a consistent trend after the mandatory mask-wearing requirement was announced. The impact of pandemic restrictions on microplastic distribution was found to be relatively minor. However, significant correlations between microplastic abundances and rainfall highlighted the substantial contribution of local emissions through surface runoff. Notably, sites in closer proximity to the Pearl River Delta exhibited higher microplastic abundances, indicating their association with emission sources. The influence of rainfall and adverse weather on marine microplastic loads demonstrated different sensitivities among various locations but can generally last for one month. These results revealed the impact of seasonal rainfall on coastal microplastics and emphasized the need for efforts to reduce microplastic discharge from land-based sources.
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Spatial and temporal variabilities of the microplastic pollution in Hong Kong coastline
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A multi-year study of microplastic contamination in Hong Kong coastal waters identified significant temporal variability linked to seasonal factors, particularly monsoon rainfall and ocean currents from the Pearl River. Microplastic concentrations were highest during and after typhoon season when river discharge and storm runoff peak. The findings suggest that seasonal and meteorological factors must be accounted for when interpreting microplastic monitoring data in coastal Asian cities.
Spatio-temporal comparison of neustonic microplastic density in Hong Kong waters under the influence of the Pearl River Estuary
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Spatial and temporal surveys of microplastic density in Hong Kong surface waters found elevated concentrations near the Pearl River Estuary and seasonal variation linked to river discharge. The study provides empirical evidence that river outflow from China's Pearl River is a significant driver of coastal microplastic distribution in Hong Kong waters.
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Researchers surveyed 31 sites across Hong Kong's coastal waters and found microplastics at every location, with concentrations ranging widely depending on local conditions. They analyzed both human activity patterns and environmental factors to identify the main drivers of contamination. The study found that population density and proximity to urban discharge points were strongly associated with higher microplastic levels in surface waters.
Seasonal variation in the abundance of marine plastic debris in the estuary of a subtropical macro-scale drainage basin in South China
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Plastic debris was collected from 25 beaches in Hong Kong during wet and dry seasons, with significantly higher abundance in summer. The seasonal pattern was attributed to increased rainfall and runoff during summer, which flushes land-based plastic waste into coastal areas, highlighting stormwater as a key driver of beach plastic pollution.
Temporal and Spatial Distribution of Microplastics in a Coastal Region of the Pearl River Estuary, China
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Researchers found that microplastic abundance in the Pearl River Estuary coastal region was 1.85-fold higher during the rainy season than the dry season, with concentrations decreasing from river to estuary to open sea. Fibers and fragments dominated, with gray, white, and green particles most common across sampling sites.
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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.