Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Current status and cause analysis of microplastic pollution in sea areas in China

This review analyzed the current status and causes of microplastic pollution across China's major sea areas including the Bohai, Yellow, East China, and South China Seas, synthesizing survey data to identify pollution patterns and contributing factors.

2022 China Geology 34 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatio-temporal distribution of plastic and microplastic debris in the surface water of the Bohai Sea, China

Researchers monitored plastic debris and microplastics in surface waters of the Bohai Sea across four seasons in 2016-2017, finding a mean density of 0.49 particles per square meter with seasonal and spatial variation across macro-, meso-, and micro-size fractions.

2020 Marine Pollution Bulletin 101 citations
Article Tier 2

A review of sources, status, and risks of microplastics in the largest semi-enclosed sea of China, the Bohai Sea

This review assessed microplastic contamination in China's Bohai Sea, identifying terrestrial rivers, aquaculture, and shipping as major sources, and documenting widespread pollution across water, sediment, and marine organisms in this semi-enclosed sea.

2022 Chemosphere 38 citations
Article Tier 2

A review of microplastic pollution in seawater, sediments and organisms of the Chinese coastal and marginal seas

This review compiled microplastic abundance and characteristics data from seawater, sediments, and marine organisms across China's coastal and marginal seas, finding widespread contamination linked to China's extensive plastic production and mismanaged waste streams.

2021 Chemosphere 211 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessment of plastic pollution in the Bohai Sea: Abundance, distribution, morphological characteristics and chemical components

Plastic pollution in the surface water and sediments of China's Bohai Sea was assessed, finding widespread contamination with fragments and pellets, and identifying shipping, river discharge, and coastal aquaculture as major sources.

2021 Environmental Pollution 53 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea: the Bohai Sea

This first survey of microplastic contamination in beach sand of China's Bohai Sea — the country's largest inner sea — found widespread plastic pollution at all three coastal sites sampled. The study provides baseline data for a region that hosts densely urbanized and industrialized coastlines.

2016 Environmental Pollution 368 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in the surface waters of the Bohai Sea, China

This study characterized microplastic pollution in the surface waters of the Bohai Sea, finding widespread contamination with fibers as the dominant type and concentrations elevated near coastal urban and industrial areas.

2017 Environmental Pollution 573 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in sediments from the Bohai Sea and the Yellow Sea, China

Researchers sampled sediments from the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea and found widespread microplastic contamination, with fibers and fragments as the dominant forms, and higher concentrations near river mouths and urban coastlines.

2018 The Science of The Total Environment 531 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in the surface water and sediment of two typical estuaries in Bohai Bay, China

Microplastics were found in both surface water and sediments of two estuaries in Bohai Bay, China, with higher concentrations in sediments than in surface water and spatial patterns influenced by human activities. The study adds to evidence that estuaries are hotspots for microplastic accumulation due to their role as receiving waters for terrestrial runoff.

2019 Environmental Science Processes & Impacts 144 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic occurrence and hydrodynamic-sedimentary driving effects in the Bohai Strait region of China

This study investigated microplastic occurrence and distribution in the Bohai Sea, examining how hydrodynamic and sedimentary processes drive the spatial pattern of microplastic accumulation. Current dynamics and sedimentation rates emerged as key controls on where microplastics concentrate.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Characteristics, distribution patterns and sources of atmospheric microplastics in the Bohai and Yellow Seas, China

Researchers investigated the characteristics, distribution patterns, and sources of atmospheric microplastics over the Bohai and Yellow Seas in China during summer and autumn 2022. The study provides new data on airborne microplastic pollution over oceanic regions, an area where information has been limited.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 19 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution Characteristics of Microplastics in Surface Seawater off the Yangtze River Estuary Section and Analysis of Ecological Risk Assessment

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in surface seawater near the Yangtze River estuary across four seasons in 2017 and 2019. They found microplastics at all sampling stations, with abundance varying by season and influenced by river discharge and ocean currents. The study provides baseline data on microplastic pollution levels in this ecologically important estuarine region of China.

2023 Toxics 15 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in China Sea: Analysis, status, source, and fate

This comprehensive review of microplastic research in China Seas compiled data from coastal and offshore studies, finding widespread contamination in seawater, sediment, and biota, with major sources including riverine runoff from densely populated river basins and fishing activities, and highlighting gaps in deep-sea and tidal flat monitoring.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 70 citations
Article Tier 2

Fate, source and mass budget of sedimentary microplastics in the Bohai Sea and the Yellow Sea

The fate, sources, and mass budget of microplastics in sediments of the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea were investigated, finding average abundances of 137 and 119 items/kg respectively and identifying land-based river inputs and fisheries activities as dominant sources.

2021 Environmental Pollution 53 citations
Article Tier 2

Prevalence of microplastic fibers in the marginal sea water column off southeast China

Researchers conducted intensive sampling of the marginal sea water column off southeast China and found that microplastic fibers — predominantly polyethylene — were widely distributed, with hydrological dynamics rather than direct terrestrial input driving their spatial patterns during the summer monsoon. The study provides rare data on microplastic fiber distribution in the vertical water column of marginal seas.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 46 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial-temporal distribution of microplastics in surface water and sediments of Maozhou River within Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area

Researchers mapped the spatial and seasonal distribution of microplastics along the Maozhou River in China's Greater Bay Area. They found that microplastic concentrations were highest near industrial areas and downstream sites, with dry season levels significantly exceeding wet season levels. The dominant polymer types were polyethylene and polystyrene, and metals were detected on the surfaces of recovered microplastic particles.

2019 The Science of The Total Environment 270 citations
Article Tier 2

Temporal and Spatial Distribution Characteristics of Microplastics and Their Influencing Factors in the Lincheng River, Zhoushan City, China

Researchers analyzed temporal and spatial distribution patterns of microplastics in the Lincheng River in Zhoushan, China, finding that microplastic abundance is influenced by seasonal runoff, land use, and proximity to urban and industrial sources before entering the ocean.

2023 Processes 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Pollution in Nearshore Sediment from the Bohai Sea Coastline

Researchers analyzed microplastic pollution in nearshore subtidal sediments from nine stations along the Bohai Sea coastline, finding mean concentrations of 458.6 items per kg dry weight dominated by fibers (77.1%) and rayon as the most abundant polymer. The study identified tourism, maritime activities, and sewage discharge as likely sources and provides baseline data for environmental risk assessment.

2020 Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 76 citations
Article Tier 2

Temporal and Spatial Distribution of Microplastics in a Coastal Region of the Pearl River Estuary, China

Researchers found that microplastic abundance in the Pearl River Estuary coastal region was 1.85-fold higher during the rainy season than the dry season, with concentrations decreasing from river to estuary to open sea. Fibers and fragments dominated, with gray, white, and green particles most common across sampling sites.

2021 Water 35 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics distribution, ecological risk and outflows of rivers in the Bohai Rim region of China - A flux model considering small and medium-sized rivers

Researchers assessed microplastic pollution across rivers flowing into the Bohai Sea in northern China, including smaller waterways that are often overlooked. They found that small and medium-sized rivers contributed nearly half of the total microplastic outflow to the sea, with Shandong province accounting for over 80 percent of the regional total. The study emphasizes that focusing only on major rivers significantly underestimates the true scale of microplastic transport into coastal waters.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in North Yellow Sea, China: Observations on occurrence, distribution and identification

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.

2018 The Science of The Total Environment 412 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Pollution in China’s Aquatic Systems: Spatial Distribution, Transport Pathways, and Controlling Strategies

This review synthesizes recent findings on microplastic pollution across China's rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and coastal waters. Researchers found that contamination levels vary dramatically by location, with urban waterways showing the highest concentrations and polypropylene and polyethylene being the most common polymer types. The study identifies rivers as major transport pathways carrying microplastics from inland areas to the sea and evaluates strategies for reducing this pollution.

2025 Microplastics 2 citations
Article Tier 2

[Basin Distribution and Ecological Risk of Microplastics in Surface Water Bodies in China].

A comprehensive analysis of data from China's ten major river basins (2014–2023) found microplastic contamination in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and estuaries across the country, with microplastic abundance strongly correlating with population density and economic output. Polypropylene and polyethylene were the dominant polymers, and the Haihe River Basin near Beijing was classified as high ecological risk. The study also highlighted a major data gap: far less is known about microplastics in China's less-populated northwestern regions. These findings provide a national-scale picture of where microplastic pollution is most severe and what types of plastics are driving the ecological risk.

2025 PubMed 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and migration patterns of microplastics in different tidal zones of tourist beaches: A case study in the Bohai Bay, North China

This study tracked microplastic contamination across different tidal zones of a tourist beach in northern China. Tourist activity significantly increased microplastic levels, with the highest concentrations found in areas with the most foot traffic. The research shows that popular beaches can be hotspots for microplastic pollution, potentially increasing exposure for beachgoers and affecting coastal marine life that enters the human food chain.

2024 Journal of Environmental Management 13 citations