Papers

Microplastics in shucked bivalve products from Vietnam: Presence, characteristics, human exposure, and risk assessment

Microplastic pollution and ecological risk in estuaries and coastal areas: A case study at Han River estuary, Da Nang city, Vietnam

This study measured microplastic pollution in Vietnam's Han River estuary and found plastic particles at every sampling location, with levels varying by season. While focused on environmental monitoring, the findings matter for human health because estuarine waters supply local fisheries and communities, creating direct exposure pathways through seafood consumption.

Microplastic and microcystin in tropical drinking water reservoir: pollution characteristics and human health risk assessment

Researchers surveyed microplastic and cyanobacterial toxin levels in a tropical drinking water reservoir in Vietnam over a one-year period. They found microplastics at all sampling sites, predominantly polypropylene and polyethylene fibers, with high polymer hazard scores despite low overall pollution levels. The co-occurrence of microplastics and microcystin toxins across the reservoir highlights the need for research on how these contaminants interact in freshwater drinking water sources.

Microplastic accumulation in bivalves collected from different coastal areas of Vietnam and an assessment of potential risks

Researchers analyzed microplastic accumulation in five common bivalve species collected from aquaculture areas along the coast of Vietnam, finding microplastics in all samples with an average of about 10.84 items per individual. Fibers were the most common shape, concentrated in gills and digestive glands, and a risk assessment suggested potential implications for human health through seafood consumption.

Potential contamination of microplastic from plastic recycling enterprises in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Researchers found that plastic recycling plants in Ho Chi Minh City release significant concentrations of microplastics through their wastewater and sludge, with thousands of particles per liter in effluent, identifying recycling facilities as an underrecognized continuous source of microplastic pollution.

Selection of a density separation solution to study microplastics in tropical riverine sediment

A comparison of density separation solutions for extracting microplastics from tropical riverine sediment found that sodium iodide and zinc chloride achieved higher recovery rates than sodium chloride for dense polymers, but cost and environmental safety concerns favor NaCl for use in developing countries.

Selection of microalgae and cyanobacteria to produce polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) - A case study in Vietnam

Researchers screened 47 strains of microalgae and cyanobacteria from Vietnam for their ability to produce polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) — biodegradable plastics made by microorganisms — finding 15 strains capable of producing them, with several Arthrospira (spirulina-type) strains accumulating the most. These naturally produced bioplastics could serve as a sustainable, biodegradable alternative to conventional plastics that contribute to microplastic pollution.

Plastic waste in sandy beaches and surface water in Thanh Hoa, Vietnam: abundance, characterization, and sources

Plastic waste surveys on three major beaches in Thanh Hoa, Vietnam documented abundant marine debris including microplastics, with quantities reflecting nearby anthropogenic activities and waste management gaps. The findings provide a baseline for coastal management and pollution control in the region.

In situ correlation between microplastic and suspended particulate matter concentrations in river-estuary systems support proxies for satellite-derived estimates of microplastic flux

Researchers measured microplastic concentrations alongside suspended particulate matter (SPM) in a UK estuary (Tamar), finding a significant correlation between the two parameters. This relationship supports using satellite-based SPM measurements as a proxy for estimating microplastic flux from rivers to the ocean.

Microplastics in Asian freshwater ecosystems: Current knowledge and perspectives

This review of microplastic research in Asian freshwater ecosystems from 2014 to 2021 found that Asia is a global hotspot for freshwater microplastic pollution, driven by rapid urbanization and economic growth, with fibers from textile washing and fragments from plastic debris degradation as dominant types.

Microplastics in sediments from urban and suburban rivers: Influence of sediment properties

Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in sediments from 12 sites across three Vietnamese rivers in the Red River Delta during dry and rainy seasons, finding concentrations ranging from 1,600 to 94,300 items per kg dry weight. Fiber-dominated microplastic contamination was strongly influenced by sediment properties including grain size and organic carbon content.

Occurrence of microplastics in bivalves from the northern coast of Viet Nam

Preliminary results on microplastics in surface water from the downstream of the Day River

Preliminary data from the Day River in Vietnam detected microplastics at concentrations ranging from 0.06 to 5.6 items per liter in surface water, with fibers as the dominant type and higher concentrations near populated areas, establishing a baseline for further monitoring in Southeast Asian river systems.

Developing a circular economy from plastic waste and identifying microplastics in domestic water supplies in Ho Chi Minh City and the Southeastern provinces

This study explored pathways for developing circular economy systems from plastic waste streams, including identification and quantification of microplastics at different stages of the waste cycle as a prerequisite for effective material recovery.

Preliminary Investigation of Microplastics in Sediments from Industrial Manufacturing Waste Sources

Microplastic contamination was investigated in sediments from industrial manufacturing waste sources, finding that plastics -- particularly polyethylene particles -- accumulate in sediments as repositories for both point-source and diffuse microplastic pollution.

Microplastics in wastewater and the role of local wastewater treatment stations in controlling microplastic pollution: a case study from Vietnam

A study in Vietnam measured microplastic concentrations across industrial, domestic, and medical wastewater, finding that industrial wastewater carried the highest loads — nearly double that of domestic sources. Local wastewater treatment stations removed a significant portion of microplastics but still discharged substantial numbers into receiving waterways. The research highlights that local-scale treatment infrastructure plays a meaningful but incomplete role in controlling microplastic pollution from diverse wastewater sources.

Sources of microplastic pollution in the Saigon-Dong Nai rivers, potential risks affecting human health and recommendations for mitigation solutions

Sampling of the Saigon-Dong Nai river system in Vietnam detected microplastic fragments, films, and fibres at concentrations of up to 715,000 particles per cubic metre, primarily sourced from urban runoff, wastewater, and industrial discharge. Because these rivers supply drinking water and support subsistence fishing for millions of people, the findings highlight a significant and largely unquantified human exposure pathway to microplastics in a rapidly urbanising region.

Preliminary results on microplastic pollution from agricultural soil in Vietnam: Distribution, characterization, and ecological risk assessment

This first microplastic survey of Vietnamese agricultural soils found concentrations ranging from 1,700 to 38,800 items per kilogram, with soils near residential areas and manufacturing facilities showing concentrations roughly five times higher than remote agricultural land. Fibers dominated and most particles were under 1 mm, with the majority of sites assessed at hazard level IV — the highest ecological risk category. The study establishes a critical baseline for a country where agricultural plastic use is intensive and growing.

Distribution and Characteristics of Microplastics in Nhue - Day River Basin, Vietnam

Researchers investigated the distribution and characteristics of microplastics in the Nhue-Day River Basin in Vietnam, finding that microplastic abundance varies with seasonal changes and anthropogenic activities, posing threats to the ecosystem and the roughly 12 million people who depend on this river.

Biochar-Based Phosphorus Recovery from Different Waste Streams: Sources, Mechanisms, and Performance

This paper is not relevant to microplastics research — it reviews biochar-based methods for recovering phosphorus from wastewater and waste streams, focusing on nutrient cycling and eutrophication prevention rather than microplastic contamination.

Ecological risk assessment of microplastics and heavy metals in Northern Vietnam's estuarine sediments: A case study of Ba Lat and Bach Dang

Researchers assessed microplastic abundance and ecological risk alongside ten heavy metals in estuarine sediments from the Ba Lat and Bach Dang estuaries of northern Vietnam's Red-Thai Binh River system, finding co-contamination patterns that pose compounded ecological risks to these biodiverse coastal ecosystems.

Policy and Legislations on Microplastics Pollution Management in Vietnam

This paper reviews Vietnam's legal framework for managing plastic pollution, including microplastics, finding that while legislation exists it lacks specific provisions for microplastics and implementation is weak. Stronger, more targeted policy is needed to address the country's growing plastic waste problem.

Efficiency assessment of microplastic extraction from green mussel \(\textit{Perna viridis}\) Linnaeus

This study evaluated and optimized laboratory extraction methods for isolating and identifying microplastics from the tissues of green mussels, which accumulate plastic particles through their filter-feeding habits. Reliable extraction methods are essential for accurately quantifying microplastic contamination in shellfish consumed by humans.

Comparision protocols for extraction of microplastics in water samples

Researchers compared four different extraction protocols for isolating microplastics from water samples and found significant differences in efficiency and accuracy across methods. Standardized extraction protocols are critical for producing comparable microplastic abundance data across studies. Without consistent methodology, it is difficult to build a reliable global picture of microplastic contamination levels in water.