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Microplastics Dynamics in the Bathing Seawater Affected by the Ebb Tide in Zhanjiang Bay, China
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This study tracked microplastic concentrations in bathing seawater at a beach in Zhanjiang Bay, China, finding an average of about 201 particles per cubic meter, with the highest levels at mid-tide. Foam and fiber were the most common types, suggesting nearby sources such as fishing activities and urban runoff, with implications for human health at recreational beaches.
At present, microplastics (MPs) pollution has attracted people’s attention, and MPs in seawater have caused great harm to the marine environment. Taking Yugang Park Beach (YPB) in Zhanjiang Bay (ZJB) as the research object, we studied the spatial and temporal distribution, composition, and inventory of MPs in the bathing seawater affected by the ebb tide by filtering the bathing seawater with a 45 μm stainless steel sieve. The results showed that the average abundance of MPs in the bathing seawater was 201.3 ± 183.0 items·m−3, with the highest at mid-tide, followed by high and low tides. The size of MPs in the bathing seawater was mainly 1–2 mm, with most being white (23.5%) and green (29.8%) MPs, and the largest proportion being foam (27.5%) and fiber (29.5%). The main polymer types were polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and cellulose (CE). Correlation analysis between MP abundance and their sizes showed that the abundance of 0.33–5 mm MPs was significantly and positively correlated with their sizes (p < 0.05). The average MP inventory was 3.2 × 106 items, with the largest at high tide, followed by mid and low tides. In conclusion, these results highlighted that tidal variations were the main factor causing the uneven distribution of MPs in the bathing seawater at YPB. This study provides theoretical support for future study of MP pollution in bathing waters, and the effect of tidal variations on MPs.
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Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in the coastal waters of Qingdao, China, and found average concentrations of 293 to 412 particles per cubic meter, with higher levels in summer. The distribution pattern showed increasing concentrations from east to west, influenced by ocean currents, urban runoff, and tourism activity. The study provides a detailed picture of how human activity and environmental factors shape microplastic pollution patterns along a major coastal city.
The seasonal distribution characteristics of microplastics on bathing beaches along the coast of Qingdao, China
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Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution at six bathing beaches along the coast of Qingdao, China, across winter and summer seasons. Microplastic abundance in both seawater and sediment was significantly higher in summer, and concentrations increased from east to west, consistent with coastal current patterns. The study suggests that human recreational activity and urbanization contribute to higher microplastic levels at these popular beach destinations.
Hydrology Modulates the Microplastics Composition and Transport Flux Across the River–Sea Interface in Zhanjiang Bay, China
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Researchers measured how tides and seasonal rainfall affect the movement of microplastics through an estuary in southern China. They found that microplastic levels rose during low tides and dropped during high tides, with an estimated 1.6 billion particles flowing from river to sea each year. The findings provide a framework for understanding how water flow patterns drive microplastic transport into coastal environments.
Occurrences, Distribution and Composition of Microplastics in the Surface Seawater and Beach Sediments of the Southern Shandong Peninsula, China
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Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in beach sediments and surface seawater along 13 beaches and 7 ocean stations on the southern Shandong Peninsula of China. Microplastics were widespread across all sites, with concentrations and polymer types reflecting local human activity levels and coastal current patterns.
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