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Microplastics in a wind farm area: A case study at the Rudong Offshore Wind Farm, Yellow Sea, China
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Researchers quantified microplastic pollution at an offshore wind farm in the Yellow Sea, China, finding average concentrations of 0.33 items/m3 in surface water and 2.58 items/g dry weight in sediment, slightly higher than nearby coastal areas. The study found that the wind farm structure increased bed shear stress during ebb tide, promoting sediment transport and reducing local microplastic accumulation within the wind farm footprint.
Despite the rapid construction of offshore wind farms, the available information regarding the risks of this type of development in terms of emerging pollutants, particularly microplastics, is scarce. In this study, we quantified the level of microplastic pollution at an offshore wind farm in the Yellow Sea, China, in 2016. The abundance of microplastics was 0.330 ± 0.278 items/m in the surface water and 2.58 ± 1.14 items/g (dry) in the sediment. To the best of our knowledge, the level of microplastic pollution in our study area was slightly higher than that in coastal areas around the world. The microplastics detected in the surface waters and sediments were mainly fibrous (75.3% and 68.7%, respectively) and consisted of some granules and films. The microplastics in the samples might originate from garments or ropes via wastewater discharge. The abundance of plastic in the water and sediment samples collected from the wind farm area was lower than that in the samples collected from outside the wind farm area. The anthropogenic hydrodynamic effect was the main factor affecting the local distribution of microplastics. The presence of a wind farm could increase the bed shear stress during ebb tide, disturbing the bed sediment, facilitating its initiation and transport, and ultimately increasing the ease of washing away the microplastics adhered to the sediment. This study will serve as a reference for further studies of the distribution and migration of microplastics in coastal zones subjected to similar marine utilization.
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Researchers studied how wind farm construction in the South Yellow Sea affected marine swimming animals and microplastic contamination in three economically important species over three years. The most significant negative impacts on biodiversity occurred during early construction stages, with recovery observed as construction finished, though biomass had not fully returned by the operational phase. Microplastic contamination was found in every biological sample, with gill tissue showing higher levels than gut or skin, and overall contamination was elevated compared to pre-construction levels.
Assessment of microplastics in the sediments around Hywind Scotland Offshore Wind Farm
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Sediment samples collected around Europe's first floating offshore wind farm (Hywind Scotland) were examined for microplastics potentially shed from turbine blade erosion, but none of the 20 confirmed microplastic particles matched the coating or blade materials. The study establishes a useful detection methodology for future monitoring of wind farm-derived microplastics, though it also provides initial reassurance that this particular facility has not deposited detectable turbine-derived plastic into surrounding seafloor sediments.
Microplastic pollution in North Yellow Sea, China: Observations on occurrence, distribution and identification
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Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution across the North Yellow Sea, documenting their occurrence, distribution, and characteristics, and finding widespread contamination with higher concentrations in coastal areas and near river inputs.
Microplastics in offshore sediment in the Yellow Sea and East China Sea, China
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Microplastics were found in offshore sediment samples from the Southern Yellow Sea and East China Sea, with concentrations and polymer types reflecting both local and distant anthropogenic sources. The study expands the known distribution of seafloor microplastic contamination in China's coastal seas and identifies fishing activities as a likely contributor.
Abundance, characteristics and ecological risks of microplastics from South Yellow Sea Mudflat
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Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in the mudflats of the South Yellow Sea and found plastic particles in both the water and sediment at all sampling locations. Areas near estuaries and ports had higher levels of microplastics in the water, while purely coastal mudflats accumulated more in their sediments. Although overall pollution levels were rated as low, the types of plastic polymers present indicated the potential for significant ecological risk.
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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.