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Bisphenol A and its analogues in sedimentary microplastics of Hong Kong
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Researchers investigated the occurrence and spatial distribution of bisphenol A and its analogues (BPB, BPF, BPS) in microplastics collected from 11 beaches in Hong Kong, finding BPA as the dominant contaminant with concentrations ranging from 82.4 to 989 ng/g microplastic.
The occurrence and spatial distribution of bisphenol A (BPA) and analogues bisphenol B (BPB), bisphenol F (BPF) and bisphenol S (BPS) were investigated in microplastic on 11 beaches in Hong Kong. At 10 sites, BPA was the only detected chemical with concentrations ranged from 82.4-989 ng g microplastic. BPA, BPB and BPS co-occurred at only one site, where it is located close proximity to the outfall of a sewage treatment plant. There was no significant spatial difference of BPA concentrations in microplastic when all the sites were considered, indicating that some remote and presumably cleaner beaches have been contaminated. PE, PP and PS (represented >90% of total polymers) were the most dominated polymers, but there was no correlation between polymer types and BPA concentrations. No evidence was found that the BPA and its analogues accumulate on microplastic since the concentrations were comparable to those found in the sediment.
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Beach surveys around Hong Kong found microplastic densities averaging over 5,500 items per square meter, higher than many other reported coastal areas, with expanded polystyrene dominating. The high contamination reflects Hong Kong's position at the heavily polluted Pearl River Estuary and underscores the regional plastic pollution problem.
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This study found both microplastics and bisphenol-A (BPA) in sediments across Guanabara Bay, Brazil, one of the country's most important estuarine systems. The co-occurrence of plastic particles and a hormone-disrupting chemical raises serious concerns for aquatic life and seafood consumers.
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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.