We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Mangrove leaves: An undeniably important sink of MPs from tidal water and air
AI summary Read the abstract
Mangrove leaves in the Beibu Gulf, China were found to trap microplastics from both tidal water and air, with submerged leaves capturing significantly more particles than non-submerged leaves, identifying mangroves as an important but understudied sink for microplastic pollution.
Capturing microplastics (MPs) were one of the important characteristics for terrestrial plant. Whereas, role of mangrove leaves in capturing MPs from tidal water and air were still largely unexplored. Here, we detected the spatial distribution of MPs at both submerged (0.10-0.49 n/cm) and non-submerged mangrove leaves (0.09-0.24 n/cm) in the Beibu Gulf. Abundance of MPs on submerged mangrove leaves was significantly higher than that on non-submerged mangrove leaves in landward and middle zone (*p < 0.05). Almost no difference existed in the abundances of MPs detected on leaves of different mangrove species. Abundance of MPs on submerged mangrove leaves increased following the sequences of seaward zone (0.11 n/cm) < middle zone (0.21 n/cm) < landward zone (0.36 n/cm). PE MPs with uncoloured/fiber characteristics dominated the MPs both on the non-submerged and submerged mangrove leaves. Furthermore, contribution of tidal water was significantly greater than that of atmospheric deposition on MPs retention on submerged mangrove leaves. Results of this work highlight the importance of tidal water and air in the spatial distribution of MPs at mangrove leaves, and the globally MPs gross reserves at mangrove leaves cannot be ignored in evaluating the MPs sink in mangrove wetland.
More Papers Like This
Tidal variation shaped microplastic enrichment patterns in mangrove blue carbon ecosystem of northern Beibu Gulf, China
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that tidal variation significantly shapes microplastic distribution in mangrove sediments of the Beibu Gulf, with higher microplastic abundance in high-tide zones, suggesting mangroves act as effective sinks for microplastic pollution.
Characterization, source, and retention of microplastic in sandy beaches and mangrove wetlands of the Qinzhou Bay, China
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers characterized microplastics in sediments from both sandy beaches and mangrove wetlands in Qinzhou Bay, southern China, finding higher abundances in mangrove sediments than beach sediments due to the trapping function of root systems. The study demonstrates that mangroves act as effective sinks for microplastic pollution in coastal zones.
Secreted salt and hydrodynamic factors combine to affect dynamic fluctuations of microplastics on mangrove leaves
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tracked microplastic accumulation on mangrove leaves over time and found that submerged leaves showed much greater variation in contamination levels compared to non-submerged leaves. They identified salt secretion from the leaves and tidal water movement as key factors driving the dynamic fluctuations in microplastic interception. The study provides new insight into how mangrove ecosystems act as natural traps for coastal microplastic pollution.
Role of mangrove forest in interception of microplastics (MPs): Challenges, progress, and prospects
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines how mangrove forests intercept and accumulate microplastics from terrestrial, marine, and atmospheric sources, identifying knowledge gaps in understanding the mechanisms, ecological impacts, and long-term fate of trapped microplastics in mangrove ecosystems.
Mangrove plants are promising bioindicator of coastal atmospheric microplastics pollution
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that mangrove leaves accumulate airborne microplastics from the atmosphere, with different species collecting different amounts and types. The study proposes using mangrove plants as natural indicators to monitor atmospheric microplastic pollution in coastal areas. This matters because airborne microplastics are a pathway for human exposure through breathing, and understanding where they accumulate helps track how much is in the air people live near.
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.