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Current research and perspective of microplastics (MPs) in soils (dusts), rivers (lakes), and marine environments in China
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This review synthesized a decade of Chinese research on microplastic concentrations in soils, rivers, lakes, and marine environments, finding that coastal and urban areas are most contaminated and that freshwater environments are understudied compared to marine ones. China, as the world's largest plastic producer, faces significant microplastic pollution challenges requiring systematic monitoring across all environmental compartments.
In this study, we first reviewed the current research progress regarding the presence of environmental microplastics (MPs) in environment in China from 2010 to 2019. Results showed that: (1) current research has primarily focused on river and marine environments rather than soils and dusts, mainly located in eastern China, i.e., the Yangtze river, Poyang lake, Dongting lake, Yellow sea, and Bohai sea; (2) the abundance of MPs found in water bodies (sediments) of the rivers in China ranged from 3.9 to 7900 items·m (19.0 × 10-13600.5 × 10 items·km), and 20-24300 items·kg (170-5500 × 10 items·km) in the sediments, respectively; in lake water the range was 340-8900 items·m (5 × 10-340 × 10 items·km) and 8 to 1200 items·m/25-300 items·kg in the sediments, respectively; in marine water the range was 0.003-540 items·m (0-380,100 item·km) and 1.3-14700 item·kg in the sediments, respectively; in fish, shellfish, and natural planktons from ocean and freshwater, the range was 0-57 items·individuals (0-168 items·g); (3) The absorption and toxicological effects of MPs in freshwater and oceans have mainly focused on polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS); (4) the sources of microplastics in soils and dusts primarily come from urban/town activities; for rivers and lakes (estuary), they primarily come from urban activities; for coastal waters, fishing gear and nets, and the maritime activities were the main sources.
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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.