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Microplastics in the surface water of small-scale estuaries in Shanghai
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Researchers assessed microplastic pollution in seven small-scale estuaries in Shanghai for the first time, finding mean concentrations of 27.84 particles/L with polypropylene and polyethylene as the dominant polymers and granules as the most abundant particle type.
This study involved an assessment of the levels of microplastic pollution in seven small-scale estuaries in Shanghai for the first time. The abundance of microplastics ranged from 13.53 ± 4.6 to 44.93 ± 9.41 particles L, with a mean abundance of 27.84 ± 11.81 particles L. Microplastics collected from samples were classified into four types (fiber, film, granule, and fragment), and granules were the most abundant type. Up to 99.5% of microplastics were <2 mm in diameter. The microplastics had a variety of colors, with black being the dominant color. Polypropylene (37.5%) and polyethylene (50%) were the main types of microplastic component validated. Our study showed severe microplastic pollution in small-scale estuaries, and the associated rivers need urgent attention for microplastic pollution prevention.
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Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.