We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Transboundary microplastic pollution in Xiamen Bay and adjacent Jiulong River estuary after the outbreak of COVID-19
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers evaluated microplastic pollution in surface waters of Xiamen Bay and the adjacent Jiulong River estuary in 2021, following the COVID-19 outbreak, to assess land-based transport and fate of microplastics in this coastal region. They found MP abundances in Xiamen Bay ranging from 0.20 to 5.79 items/m and in the Jiulong River estuary from 0.55 to 2.11 items/m, documenting a yearly decreasing trend in the area and examining the transboundary transport dynamics between the estuary and bay.
Land-based transport from nearshore areas is a key pathway of microplastic (MP) pollution in the oceans. Therefore, transport, fate, and intervention on MPs necessitate an investigation of MP contamination in coastal regions. Here, MP pollution in the surface waters of Xiamen Bay and Jiulong River estuary was evaluated in 2021 after the outbreak of COVID-19. The abundance of MPs in Xiamen Bay ranged from 0.20 to 5.79 items m with an average of 1.03 items m, whereas that in the Jiulong River estuary spanned from 0.55 to 2.11 items m with a mean of 1.30 items m. A yearly decreasing trend in the abundance of MPs in surface waters in both regions was observed. The particle sizes of MPs were concentrated in the range of 2.50-5.00 mm, and the colors were mainly white, transparent, and green. The micro-Raman spectroscopic results showed that MP polymer types were predominantly polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene. A lower abundance of MPs in Xiamen Bay with no obvious pattern was observed, while that in the Jiulong River estuary showed a wavelike distribution from upstream to downstream. Ecological risk assessment of MP pollution in surface waters of two regions was performed using the pollution load index (PLI), giving the risk level in descending order: wastewater discharge area > aquaculture area > sloughs > estuary mouth > estuarine rivers > shipping lane. The average risk level of Xiamen Bay (I) was lower than that in Jiulong River estuary (II). The MP pollution in the Jiulong River estuary appeared heavier than that in Xiamen Bay, which may be due to the combined effects of COVID-19 and marine governance. This study provided insights into the prevention and management of MP pollution in nearshore semi-enclosed bays.
More Papers Like This
Tracing Land-Based Microplastic Sources in Coastal Waters of Zhanjiang Bay, China: Spatiotemporal Pattern, Composition, and Flux
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured the spatiotemporal pattern, polymer composition, and flux of land-based microplastics entering Zhanjiang Bay, China through estuaries and sewage outlets across three seasons, finding an overall mean of 18 MPs per liter with highest concentrations during normal-flow seasons. Fiber-dominated MP assemblages from textile sources comprised the largest fraction transported to coastal waters.
Microplastic Contamination in Sediments of Xiamen Bay: Investigating Ecological Consequences
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastic contamination was assessed in sediments of Xiamen Bay, China, examining spatial and temporal distribution, ecological consequences for sediment biota, and human exposure pathways. Key risk factors were identified based on particle characteristics, with the study providing insights for managing microplastic impacts in this heavily urbanized coastal environment.
Impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the microplastics in fishery harbor: occurrence, composition, and potential risks
AI summary Read the abstract
Comparing microplastic data from two Taiwanese fishery harbors before and during the COVID-19 lockdown found that MP concentrations generally declined during lockdown at most sites, suggesting that reduced human activity lowered microplastic inputs to coastal waters.
Coastal bays serve as reservoirs for microplastics from East China: insights from a mass budget model based on sedimentary findings
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated sedimentary microplastics in three representative coastal bays of the Zhejiang Great Bay Area, China, and used a mass budget model to quantify sources and fluxes within each bay system. Riverine discharge accounted for 41.5%-96.7% of total microplastic input, with textile and fishing sources dominant in Hangzhou Bay, mariculture and tourism driving levels in Sanmen Bay, and packaging and agricultural sources prominent in Wenzhou Bay.
[Distribution Characteristics of Microplastics in Surface Water and Sediments of Haizhou Bay, Lianyungang].
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers characterized microplastic pollution in surface water and sediments of Haizhou Bay, a small-to-medium-sized inshore bay in Lianyungang, China, documenting the main polymer types, abundances, and spatial distribution patterns to fill a gap in knowledge about microplastics in smaller Chinese coastal environments.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.