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Microplastics in mangrove sediments of the Pearl River Estuary, South China: Correlation with halogenated flame retardants' levels
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Microplastic concentrations in Pearl River Estuary mangrove sediments were high by global standards, averaging 851 items per kilogram, and significantly correlated with population density and GDP in the region. Several types of halogenated flame retardants in the sediments were also correlated with microplastic abundance, suggesting shared pollution sources.
Marine microplastic pollution of intertidal mangrove ecosystem is a matter of concern. However, the relationship between microplastic distribution and other pollutants such as halogenated flame retardants (HFRs) is unknown. In this study, forty-eight sediment samples were collected from three mangrove wetlands of the Pearl River Estuary (PRE), South China to investigate the distribution of microplastic and discuss the possible relationship between HFRs and microplastic abundance in mangrove sediments. The abundance of microplastic in mangrove sediments from the PRE ranged from 100 to 7900 items·kg dry weight (dw), with an average of 851 ± 177 items·kg dw, which was at a relatively higher level compared to other regions worldwide. The highest abundance of microplastic was observed in Shenzhen mangrove sediments. The abundance of microplastic was significantly and positively correlated with population density and gross domestic product of the PRE. The microplastics with size <500 μm were predominant in mangrove sediments, accounting for a proportion of 69.4% in all microplastic samples. Polypropylene-polyethylene copolymer, green/black, and fibers/fragments were the dominant type, color and shape in all microplastic samples, respectively. The correlation between HFRs and microplastic abundance demonstrated that polybrominated diphenyl ethers, decabromodiphenyl ethane, 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane and hexabromocyclododecane may have the same pollution source as microplastics.
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Researchers mapped the distribution of microplastics in the water and sediments of the Pearl River Estuary in China and identified the key factors driving contamination levels. Fibers were the most common microplastic type found, and human activity along the coast strongly influenced pollution patterns. The study also assessed ecological risks and provides a framework for understanding how microplastics accumulate in heavily populated estuarine environments.
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