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Spatiotemporal variations of surface water microplastics near Kyushu, Japan: A quali-quantitative analysis
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Researchers investigated spatial and seasonal variation in surface water microplastic concentrations off the coast of Kyushu, Japan, finding significant differences by location and season. Understanding how temporal and spatial variability shapes microplastic distribution is important for designing representative long-term monitoring programs.
Abstract Microplastics in the ocean are threatening marine ecosystems. Although plastic contaminants are ubiquitous from rivers to polar oceans, their distribution is thought to be heterogeneous, implying that both spatial and temporal variability exist. Here, we elucidate the significant spatial and temporal (seasonal) variations in the quanti-qualitative characteristics of microplastics off the west coast of Kyushu, Japan in the East China Sea. Six surveys across nine stations (n = 54) were conducted over a 14-month period, and a total of 6131 plastic items were identified. The average microplastic abundance (items ·m -3 ) and size (mm) ± S.D. were 0.49 ± 0.92 (n = 54), and 1.71 ± 0.93 (n = 6131), respectively. Differences between the highest and lowest abundances were 50-fold among monthly means (1.97 ± 1.49, n = 9; 0.04 ± 0.03, n = 9), and 550-fold across all net tows (5.50; 0.01). With respect to colour, polymer type, and shape, white and transparent (68.5%), polyethylene (80%) fragments (76.0%) were the dominant composition. There were statistically significant differences for each of the analytical microplastic parameters among survey months (p < 0.02). Our results provide baseline data, and lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the spatiotemporal characteristics of microplastic pollution. Highlights Significant spatiotemporal variability in microplastic litter was detected based on the quali-quantitative analyses. Average (± S.D.) microplastic abundance was 0.49 ± 0.92 (items ·m -3 ) and size was 1.71 ± 0.93 (mm). Differences between highest and lowest abundances were 50-fold among monthly means, and 550-fold across all net tows. White and transparent polyethylene fragments were the dominant composition.
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