Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Sign in to save

Microplastics in the Taiwan Strait and adjacent sea: Spatial variations and lateral transport

Marine Environmental Research 2023 9 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 40 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

Huaiyuan Qi, Chunhui Wang, Chunhui Wang, Chunhui Wang, Chunhui Wang, Yaozong Cui, Huaiyuan Qi, Huaiyuan Qi, Huaiyuan Qi, Minggang Cai Minggang Cai Chunhui Wang, Mengyang Liu, Mengyang Liu, Mengyang Liu, Huaiyuan Qi, Huaiyuan Qi, Mengyang Liu, Mengyang Liu, Mengyang Liu, Chunhui Wang, Chunhui Wang, Chunhui Wang, Chunhui Wang, Chunhui Wang, Huaiyuan Qi, Huaiyuan Qi, Yaozong Cui, Huaiyuan Qi, Huaiyuan Qi, Mengyang Liu, Mengyang Liu, Mengyang Liu, Mengyang Liu, Jiandong Ye, Mengyang Liu, Huaiyuan Qi, Huaiyuan Qi, Huaiyuan Qi, Chunhui Wang, Chunhui Wang, Minggang Cai Huaiyuan Qi, Mengyang Liu, Minggang Cai Mengyang Liu, Huaiyuan Qi, Huaiyuan Qi, Huaiyuan Qi, Mengyang Liu, Piao Chen, Yaozong Cui, Huaiyuan Qi, Chunhui Wang, Minggang Cai Minggang Cai Minggang Cai Mengyang Liu, Mengyang Liu, Huaiyuan Qi, Huaiyuan Qi, Junge Wang, Junge Wang, Junge Wang, Yaozong Cui, Yang Zhou, Yang Zhou, Huaiyuan Qi, Huaiyuan Qi, Junge Wang, Junge Wang, Junge Wang, Mengyang Liu, Yaozong Cui, Mengyang Liu, Minggang Cai Yang Zhou, Chunhui Wang, Yaozong Cui, Minggang Cai Hongwei Ke, Mengyang Liu, Yang Zhou, Minggang Cai Minggang Cai Minggang Cai Minggang Cai Yang Zhou, Hongwei Ke, Minggang Cai Hongwei Ke, Hongwei Ke, Hongwei Ke, Chunhui Wang, Chunhui Wang, Hongwei Ke, Hongwei Ke, Minggang Cai Minggang Cai Mengyang Liu, Piao Chen, Hongwei Ke, Piao Chen, Chunhui Wang, Minggang Cai Minggang Cai Minggang Cai Mengyang Liu, Minggang Cai Hongwei Ke, Hongwei Ke, Hongwei Ke, Hongwei Ke, Chunhui Wang, Chunhui Wang, Chunhui Wang, Jiandong Ye, Hongwei Ke, Hongwei Ke, Mengyang Liu, Yaozong Cui, Minggang Cai Minggang Cai Chunhui Wang, Chunhui Wang, Minggang Cai Chunhui Wang, Hongwei Ke, Minggang Cai Minggang Cai Minggang Cai Minggang Cai Minggang Cai Minggang Cai Mengyang Liu, Minggang Cai Minggang Cai Chunhui Wang, Hongwei Ke, Minggang Cai Minggang Cai Minggang Cai Minggang Cai Chunhui Wang, Chunhui Wang, Minggang Cai Minggang Cai

Summary

Researchers sampled microplastics from both surface water and seafloor sediments across the Taiwan Strait and surrounding seas, finding average concentrations of 174 particles per cubic meter in water and 121 particles per kilogram in sediment. Polyester and rayon fibers dominated, pointing to domestic wastewater and the synthetic textile industry as primary sources. The study helps map microplastic distribution in a heavily trafficked and economically important sea corridor, where currents spread contamination across national boundaries.

Study Type Environmental

This study investigates the distribution, structural properties, and potential impacts of oceanic processes on microplastics (MPs) in the Taiwan Strait (TWS) and surrounding seas. With an average of 174 particles/m, the MP abundance in surface seawater ranged from 84 to 389 particles/m. MP abundance ranged from 16 to 382 particles/kg in sediments, with a median of 121 particles/kg. Fragment and fiber were the two most frequently detected shapes. These MPs were found to be composed primarily of carbon and oxygen elements at 70-90% levels using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Additionally, several examples had trace levels of metallic components. Black was the color that MPs saw the most often out of all the hues. The two main types of polymers are polyester and rayon, and their production is influenced by home sewage discharge and synthetic fiber production. The main routes of MP transport were land source input, riverine input, and oceanic currents. This study showed that salinity affects the distribution of MPs, with high-salinity seawater serving to saturate their presence. On the other hand, upwelling raises MP concentrations by bringing nutrients from the deep to the surface. Furthermore, it has been discovered that the dilution of the Pearl River plume increases the MP prevalence in the region. The South China Sea Warm Current had the highest lateral MPs transport flux (2.1 × 10 particles/y), which was followed by the Taiwan Strait Current area (1.0 × 10 particles/y) and the Guangdong coastal areas (8.6 × 10 particles/y). In sediments, the MP prevalence was inversely correlated with particle size. Flocculation processes probably made it easier for MPs to travel down the water column and deposit themselves on the aquatic substrate. Although the relationship between MPs, total organic carbon, and total organic nitrogen was not correlated, a favorable trend showed that MPs may discreetly contribute to carbon storage in coastal sediment.

Read via DOI PubMed

Share this paper

Post Share Share Pin Email