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Occurrence of Microplastic Pollution in the Beibu Gulf, the Northern South China Sea
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Researchers found microplastics in both surface water (0.67 items/m3) and sediment (4.33 items/kg dry weight) of the Beibu Gulf in the northern South China Sea, with polystyrene fragments dominating in seawater and a different polymer composition in sediment. The study characterized microplastic occurrence in a region with intensive fishery activity but relatively less economic development compared to other Chinese coastal areas.
In this study, microplastics were sampled and analyzed from surface water and sediment samples from July to August in 2020, in the Beibu Gulf (the northern South China Sea [SCS]), a gulf with intensive fishery activities while the economy is less developed, compared with other coastal areas of China. The abundances of microplastics in seawater and sediment in the Beibu Gulf were 0.67 items/m 3 and 4.33 items/kg of dry weight, respectively. In seawater, the fragments (92.38%) contributed the most, and polystyrene (PS) was the dominant polymer (53.23%). In sediment, the most abundant microplastics were fiber (82.93%) and rayon (RY; 39.54%). The abundances of remarkably higher microplastics were found in the seawater and sediment adjacent to the urban area. The abundances of microplastics in far coastal sediment were only slightly lower than that in the coastal sediment, indicating that microplastics are ready to transport and bury in open area sediment. Significant positive correlations between the microplastic abundance and population density and per capita gross domestic product (GDP) were found in Chinese coastal seawater, with low population density and less developed economy, and the microplastic pollution in the Beibu Gulf was at a low level. This study provides preliminary data of microplastics in the Beibu Gulf, supporting further investigation of transportation fate and management of this emerging pollutant from the coastal zone to the SCS.
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Researchers mapped the distribution and mass budget of microplastics across the Beibu Gulf in the northern South China Sea, sampling both water and sediment. They found microplastics in all samples, with sediments containing the highest concentrations and river input being a major source. The study provides a comprehensive picture of how microplastics accumulate and move through a semi-enclosed tropical marine ecosystem.
Occurrence of microplastics in gastrointestinal tracts and gills of fish from Beibu Gulf, South China Sea
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Researchers examined microplastic contamination in 24 fish species from Beibu Gulf in the South China Sea. Microplastics were detected in half the species, predominantly as transparent fibers found mainly in the stomach, with polyester and nylon being the most common polymers. The overall microplastic abundance was relatively low, and demersal fish tended to contain more particles than pelagic species.
Microplastic prevalence in marine fish from onshore Beibu Gulf, South China Sea
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Researchers examined 271 fish across 32 species from the Beibu Gulf and found microplastics in the majority of samples, with fibers being the most common type and abundance varying by species, feeding habits, and habitat.
Microplastic pollution in surface seawater of Sanggou Bay, China: Occurrence, source and inventory
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Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in the surface seawater of Sanggou Bay, China, finding average abundances of 20.06 items per litre dominated by polyethylene fragments smaller than 0.5 mm, and estimating that approximately 62.76% of the microplastic inventory originated from local aquaculture and fishing activities.
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