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Contamination of microplastics in mangrove sediment cores from Lach Huyen area, Hai Phong city, Vietnam
Summary
Microplastic concentrations in sediment cores from mangrove forests near a major Vietnamese port averaged over 1,300 particles per kilogram — substantially higher than comparable regions globally — with fibres comprising 80% of particles and concentrations decreasing with sediment depth, suggesting recent intensification of pollution. Mangrove sediments act as long-term plastic sinks, and the high fibre burden raises concern for the benthic organisms and communities that depend on these critical coastal ecosystems.
Abstract Microplastics have been found in coastal ecosystems since the 1970s, causing many negative impacts on the environment and aquatic organisms. In the present study, we examined the microplastic concentration and sediment grain size in mangrove sediment cores near Lach Huyen Port, Hai Phong city, Vietnam. The microplastic concentration in mangrove sediments varied from 0-3150 particles/kg with an average value of 1309.1±124.8 particles/kg, much higher than in similar regions worldwide. They are mainly secondary microplastics with various colors and sizes. The microplastic types include 80% of microfibers and the rest is a mixture of microfoam, microfragment, and microfilm. Research results showed that the concentration of microplastics tends to decrease from top to bottom of the sediment cores. However, the present study did not find any relationship between sediment grain size and microplastic abundance. Future studies should assess the pollution sources, factors influencing microplastic distribution, and the effects of microplastic contamination on coastal ecosystems in this area.
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