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Distribution, characteristics, and human exposure to microplastics in mangroves within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area
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Researchers mapped microplastic distribution across three mangroves in the Greater Bay Area of southern China, finding concentrations up to 1,600 particles per kilogram with higher levels at forest fringes, and assessed potential human exposure pathways.
In this study, three mangroves in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area- Qi'ao Island in Zhuhai, Nansha in Guangzhou, and Futian in Shenzhen-were selected for investigating the distribution of microplastics and their characteristics The average microplastic abundance in each descended in the order: Futian (1600 n/kg) > Nansha (1100 n/kg) > Qi'ao Island (440 n/kg), with values from the forest fringe being significantly higher than those in the forest interior. The microplastics were mainly fibers, 1-5 mm in size, and white/black in color; they consisted of polypropylene and polyethylene, with foam and polystyrene accounting for a high proportion in Nansha. The exposure of humans to microplastics in the Futian forest fringe reached 35.95 ng/d·kg; it was one order of magnitude higher than the exposures in Qi'ao Island and Nansha. Furthermore, ingestion accounted for approximately 74% of the total exposure to the human body, dermal contact constitutes 25%, and sediment inhalation accounted for less than 1%.
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A survey of mangrove sediments along China's coast found microplastics were ubiquitous, with concentrations and polymer types varying by proximity to human activity and hydrological conditions. The study shows that mangrove forests, which provide critical coastal ecosystem services, are accumulating significant quantities of plastic pollution.
The distribution, characteristics and ecological risks of microplastics in the mangroves of Southern China
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Microplastics were found to be widespread in mangrove sediments across Southern China, with higher concentrations in areas closer to urban development and aquaculture. The study highlights mangroves as accumulation zones for microplastic pollution, which could threaten these ecologically important coastal ecosystems.
Fate of plastic in hong kong mangrove forest: from macro to micro
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A study of Hong Kong mangrove forests found plastic debris ranging from large fragments down to microplastic-sized particles throughout the habitat, with mangroves acting as both traps and degradation sites for plastic. As plastic fragments in the mangrove environment, it generates microplastics that can be ingested by mangrove-associated organisms. The findings call for better plastic pollution management to protect these ecologically important coastal forests.
Microplastics in Singapore’s coastal mangrove ecosystems
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Researchers sampled coastal mangrove ecosystems in Singapore and found microplastics throughout, demonstrating that mangrove habitats accumulate plastic pollution and raising concerns for the organisms that depend on these ecologically important coastal forests.
Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in the mangrove sediment of the semi-enclosed Maowei Sea of the south China sea: New implications for location, rhizosphere, and sediment compositions
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Microplastics were widespread in mangrove sediments of the semi-enclosed Maowei Sea in southern China, with concentrations influenced by location within the mangrove, proximity to roots, and sediment composition. The study provides new insight into how mangrove ecosystems trap and accumulate microplastics, raising concerns for the health of these ecologically important coastal habitats.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.