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Heavy metals contamination of sedimentary microplastics in Hong Kong

Marine Pollution Bulletin 2020 124 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 55 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

Hoi‐Shing Lo, Hoi‐Shing Lo, Wenjie Li, Hoi‐Shing Lo, Hoi‐Shing Lo, Hoi‐Shing Lo, Hoi‐Shing Lo, Hoi‐Shing Lo, Hoi‐Shing Lo, Hoi‐Shing Lo, Hoi‐Shing Lo, Hoi‐Shing Lo, Hoi‐Shing Lo, Man Zhou, Man Zhou, Chun‐Yuen Wong, Chun‐Yuen Wong, Chun‐Yuen Wong, N.F.Y. Tam, N.F.Y. Tam, N.F.Y. Tam, N.F.Y. Tam, N.F.Y. Tam, N.F.Y. Tam, N.F.Y. Tam, N.F.Y. Tam, N.F.Y. Tam, Siu Gin Cheung Siu Gin Cheung Siu Gin Cheung Siu Gin Cheung Hoi‐Shing Lo, Chun‐Yuen Wong, Chun‐Yuen Wong, Chun‐Yuen Wong, Ho-Man Wong, Ho-Man Wong, Hoi‐Shing Lo, Siu Gin Cheung Hoi‐Shing Lo, Siu Gin Cheung Hoi‐Shing Lo, Hoi‐Shing Lo, Siu Gin Cheung Siu Gin Cheung Hoi‐Shing Lo, Siu Gin Cheung Man Zhou, Siu Gin Cheung Siu Gin Cheung Siu Gin Cheung Siu Gin Cheung Siu Gin Cheung Hoi‐Shing Lo, N.F.Y. Tam, Siu Gin Cheung N.F.Y. Tam, Siu Gin Cheung Siu Gin Cheung Siu Gin Cheung Man Zhou, Man Zhou, Chun‐Yuen Wong, Siu Gin Cheung Siu Gin Cheung Siu Gin Cheung Hoi‐Shing Lo, N.F.Y. Tam, N.F.Y. Tam, Siu Gin Cheung N.F.Y. Tam, N.F.Y. Tam, Siu Gin Cheung Hoi‐Shing Lo, Chun‐Yuen Wong, Siu Gin Cheung N.F.Y. Tam, Siu Gin Cheung Siu Gin Cheung Siu Gin Cheung N.F.Y. Tam, Siu Gin Cheung Siu Gin Cheung Hoi‐Shing Lo, N.F.Y. Tam, Hoi‐Shing Lo, Siu Gin Cheung Hoi‐Shing Lo, N.F.Y. Tam, Siu Gin Cheung Siu Gin Cheung

Summary

Researchers conducted the first study of heavy metal contamination on microplastics found on sandy beaches in Hong Kong. They found that polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene were the most common plastic types, with iron, zinc, and manganese being the most concentrated metals. Samples from western Hong Kong sites near the Pearl River had significantly higher metal concentrations, suggesting the river is a major source of heavy metals on microplastics.

Polymers

PE PP PS

Body Systems

Respiratory

Study Type Environmental

This is the first study of heavy metals (As, Zn, Cd, Ni, Fe, Mn, Cu) contamination of microplastics on sandy beaches in Hong Kong. Three study sites are located in the eastern waters (Pak Lap Wan, Stanley Bay, Tung Lung Chau) and the other three in the western waters (Tai Pai Tsui, Ha Pak Nai, Shui Hau Wan). The three most abundant types of microplastics were polyethylene (42.2%), polypropylene (23.3%) and polystyrene (19.5%). The median concentration of Fe (302 mg kg) was the highest and followed by Zn (19.6 mg kg) and Mn (18.6 mg kg). Very low concentrations of Cu (0.89 mg kg), Ni (0.15 mg kg), As (<LOD) and Cd (<LOD) were measured. The western sites have significantly higher concentrations of Ni, Fe, Mn and Cu than the eastern sites, indicating that Pearl River was likely to be a major source of heavy metals on microplastics. In view of a continual increase in the abundance of microplastics in the marine environment and its potential impacts on marine organisms, immediate actions should be taken in establishing long term monitoring programs for heavy metals associated with microplastics. In-depth research on the mechanisms of adsorption and desorption processes between metals and microplastics will help assess the associated risks to both human health and the environment.

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