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Characteristics and distribution of microplastics in the coastal mangrove sediments of China
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A survey of mangrove sediments along China's coast found microplastics were ubiquitous, with concentrations and polymer types varying by proximity to human activity and hydrological conditions. The study shows that mangrove forests, which provide critical coastal ecosystem services, are accumulating significant quantities of plastic pollution.
Mangroves are a unique and important type of coastal wetlands in the tropical and subtropical zones worldwide. The abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics in the mangrove sediments however are still poorly understood. The present study aimed to illustrate the characteristics, abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics in different mangrove sediments along the south-eastern coastal zones of China. Microplastic samples (roughly 10-20 kg fresh sediments at each site) taken from 21 sampling sites showed various shapes, colors, composition, sizes, surface morphology, abundance and strong spatial heterogeneity. Five different shapes of microplastics with a variety of colors were detected in the mangrove sediments, among which foams (74.6%) and fibers (14.0%) were the dominant types. The polymer composition of the microplastics identified based on the FT-IR and μ-FTIR covered polystyrene (75.2%), polypropylene (11.7%), rayon (4.6%), polyester (3.4%), polyethylene (2.8%) and acrylic (2.4%). The observed microplastics with a size range of less than 2 mm made up 58.6% of the total microplastic particles. The microplastics had various surface morphologies, exhibiting complicated weathered surfaces. The abundance of microplastics showed a substantial variation among the sampling sites, ranging from 8.3 to 5738.3 items kg (dry sediment). Altogether, our study provides a better understanding of microplastic pollution status and prevention policy-making of mangrove habitats in China.
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The distribution, characteristics and ecological risks of microplastics in the mangroves of Southern China
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Microplastics were found to be widespread in mangrove sediments across Southern China, with higher concentrations in areas closer to urban development and aquaculture. The study highlights mangroves as accumulation zones for microplastic pollution, which could threaten these ecologically important coastal ecosystems.
Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in the mangrove sediment of the semi-enclosed Maowei Sea of the south China sea: New implications for location, rhizosphere, and sediment compositions
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Microplastics were widespread in mangrove sediments of the semi-enclosed Maowei Sea in southern China, with concentrations influenced by location within the mangrove, proximity to roots, and sediment composition. The study provides new insight into how mangrove ecosystems trap and accumulate microplastics, raising concerns for the health of these ecologically important coastal habitats.
Distribution, characteristics, and human exposure to microplastics in mangroves within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area
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Researchers mapped microplastic distribution across three mangroves in the Greater Bay Area of southern China, finding concentrations up to 1,600 particles per kilogram with higher levels at forest fringes, and assessed potential human exposure pathways.
Microplastics on beaches and mangrove sediments along the coast of South China
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Microplastic concentrations in beach and mangrove sediments along the South China coast were higher in summer than winter, with fibres and fragments dominating, and mangrove sediments retaining significantly more particles than adjacent beaches, confirming mangroves as important sinks for coastal microplastic pollution.
How mangrove plants affect microplastic distribution in sediments of coastal wetlands: Case study in Shenzhen Bay, South China
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The effect of different mangrove plant species on microplastic distribution in coastal wetland sediments was investigated, finding that plant species significantly influenced where microplastics accumulated. The study suggests that mangrove root and canopy structures create preferential zones for microplastic retention in coastal sediments.
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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.