We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Stereomicroscopic and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopic Characterization of the Abundance, Distribution and Composition of Microplastics in the Beaches of Qingdao, China
Summary
Microplastics were found on two beaches in Qingdao, China at varying concentrations, with fibers as the most common type. The study used FTIR spectroscopy to identify polymer types including polyester and polypropylene, contributing to the global picture of beach microplastic contamination.
Microplastic pollution is considered to be a major coastal environmental issue worldwide, and studies have confirmed the ubiquitous nature of microplastics on many beaches. To best of our knowledge, no previous study on microplastic pollution has been conducted in the present study area to date. This study examined the microplastic abundance, polymer type, size, shape and color in the sediments of Liuqinghewan Bathing Beach and the fishing port beach of Qingdao, China. Microplastics (1–0.5, 0.5–0.25 and 0.25–0.125 mm) were extracted from beach sediments using a density separation method. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to determine the chemical composition of the plastics while physical characteristics (size, shape, and color) of microplastics were observed using a stereomicroscope. The average microplastic abundance values with the grain size ranges from 1 to 0.125 mm at Liuqinghewan Bathing Beach and at the fishing port beach were approximately 208 ± 3.5 and 299 ± 5.7 microplastics per kg of dry sand, respectively. The number of microplastic particles with the grain size from 0.25 to 0.125 mm was significantly higher than for the other grain sizes. Microplastics were mainly multicolor fibers in all samples making up a large proportion that exceeded 97%. On the basis of FTIR analysis, the microplastics were shown to be composed of polypropylene and polystyrene at both sites. Microplastic characteristics used to identify their origin revealed high development and industrialization predict the non-point source of microplastics related to their hydrodynamic and geographical conditions. Assessing the distribution and characterization of microplastics on sandy beaches of some regions is not novel but a rather common study. However, the outcomes of current study furnish valuable and novel data for the evaluation of microplastic concentrations in beach sediments, environmental risks in China, and a baseline for future analysis.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Microplásticos En Tres Playas Del Corredor Turístico Del Norte, Piura, Perú
Researchers sampled sediments from three beach zones along northern Peru's tourist corridor in February 2024 and characterized microplastic abundance, morphology, and polymer types using FTIR analysis. Microplastics were detected across all sampling zones, with fragments and fibers dominating and polyethylene as the most common polymer type.
Contributions of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in microplastic pollution research: A review
This review covers advances in Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy techniques — including chemical imaging — for identifying polymer types in microplastic samples and tracing their fate in different environmental matrices.
Analysis of Microplastic at Sea Water and Sediment in the Pasaran Island Bay Using FT-IR
Researchers analysed microplastic particle counts, morphologies, and polymer types in seawater and sediment samples collected from four stations around Pasaran Island Bay using FT-IR spectroscopy. Extraction protocols used 70% ethanol, hydrogen peroxide, and sodium chloride for seawater samples and FeSO4, NaCl, and H2O2 for sediments, characterising the nature and extent of microplastic pollution at this Indonesian marine site.
Analisis Mikroplastik Pada Air Dan Sedimen Di Pantai Teluk Lampung Dengan Metode Ft-Ir (Fourier Transform Infrared)
Microplastics were analyzed in water and sediment samples from a beach in Lampung Bay, Indonesia, using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy for polymer identification. Multiple polymer types were detected, with polyethylene and polypropylene among the most common. The study documents microplastic pollution in an Indonesian coastal area and establishes baseline data for future monitoring.
Distribution of Microplastics along Mai Khao Coastline, Phuket
Researchers sampled microplastics from the intertidal zone of Mai Khao beach in Phuket, Thailand, during two seasonal sampling events, separating particles into two size classes and analyzing polymer composition using micro-FTIR. They found that fibers dominated at 94.5%, PET was the predominant polymer at 94.7%, and abundances at this site were higher than at other west coast Phuket locations, indicating elevated local anthropogenic input.