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Distribution of Microplastics in Tidal Flats near M City
Original title: M시 인근 개펄 내 미세플라스틱의 분포
Summary
This study investigated the distribution characteristics and sources of microplastics in mud flats near a city in Korea, finding that blue paint fragments (likely from ship paint) constituted the highest proportion, followed by fibrous microplastics. The distribution patterns of microplastics across survey sites were influenced by surrounding environmental factors including fishing vessels and aquaculture farms.
Plastics, such as fiber-reinforced plastics (FRP), from vessels, nets, ropes and buoys that are found in marine materials are refined by various factors in the ocean. These microplastics are present in the surface, middle, deep and sedimentary layers of the ocean depending on their physical and chemical properties. In this study, the distribution characteristics of microplastics in mud flats are investigated and their sources are estimated. The highest percentage of microplastics consisted of blue paint fragments, which seemed to be paint from a ship. In addition, many fibrous microplastics were found in the surface layer of the mud flats. These results suggest that low-density fibers are partially retained on the surface of mud flats during high and low tide. The differences in the amount and types of microplastics at the survey sites are considered to be influenced by the surrounding environment, such as fishing vessels and farms.