Papers

20 results
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Article Tier 2

Microplastic Distribution Characteristics Considering the Marine Environment Based on Surface Seawater Quality Parameters in Southern Sea of Korea, 2019

Researchers analyzed microplastic distribution characteristics in marine environments using spatial modeling, identifying accumulation zones and transport pathways driven by ocean currents, depth, and particle density.

2024 Sustainability 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Abundance and Distribution Characteristics of Microplastics in Surface Seawaters of the Incheon/Kyeonggi Coastal Region

Researchers investigated microplastics in both the surface microlayer and subsurface waters of the Incheon/Kyeonggi coastal region of Korea, finding that microplastic concentrations were significantly higher in the surface microlayer than in bulk seawater. Fragment and fiber morphologies dominated, with the distribution patterns reflecting urban runoff and shipping activity as likely sources.

2015 Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 173 citations
Article Tier 2

Baseline Study on Microplastic Distribution in the Open Surface Waters of the Korean Southwest Sea

Researchers collected surface seawater south of Jeju Island in South Korea and found an average microplastic abundance of 0.46 particles per liter, with polyethylene as the dominant polymer and fragments as the most common shape, establishing a baseline for this understudied ocean region.

2023 Water 17 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in the surface waters of the South China sea and the western Pacific Ocean: Different size classes reflecting various sources and transport

Researchers investigated microplastic distribution in the South China Sea and western Pacific Ocean, finding that different size classes reflect distinct sources and transport mechanisms, with higher concentrations in the northern South China Sea linked to riverine inputs.

2022 Chemosphere 85 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial distribution of microplastic in the surface waters along the coast of Korea

Scientists surveyed microplastics (0.33–5 mm) across six semi-enclosed bays and two open coastal waters in Korea during July surveys from 2015 to 2017, finding mean abundances of 1.12–4.74 particles per m2 with expanded polystyrene and paint particles as dominant types.

2020 Marine Pollution Bulletin 77 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution and characterization of microplastics in marine sediments from coastal and offshore in South Korea

Researchers conducted an intensive survey of microplastic levels and distribution in marine sediments from coastal areas, recognizing the seafloor as the ultimate repository for plastic particles. Microplastic concentrations in sediments were highest near urban and industrial coastlines, with fibers and fragments as the most common types.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Assessing the distribution and influx of microplastics into the east sea of korea

Researchers assessed the distribution and characteristics of microplastics entering the East Sea of Korea at three southeastern stations in September 2022 and April 2023, collecting 100-to-200-liter seawater samples to estimate microplastic input levels and vertical distribution throughout the water column.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Floating macroplastic pollution in Korean coastal and offshore areas

Researchers conducted visual observation surveys of floating macroplastic debris larger than 2.5 centimeters in the South Sea and East Sea of Korea in 2022 and 2023, finding average densities of 119 items per square kilometer with statistically higher overall pollution levels in the South Sea.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Distribution, compositional characteristics, and historical pollution records of microplastics in tidal flats of South Korea

Researchers investigated spatial and vertical distributions of microplastics in tidal flat sediments along the west coast of South Korea, finding distinct patterns in abundance and polymer composition linked to proximity to urban centers and tidal hydrodynamics.

2023 Marine Pollution Bulletin 15 citations
Article Tier 2

A Study on the Distribution of Microplastics in the South Coast of Korea and Gwangyang Bay

This study characterized the distribution and abundance of microplastics in surface water along the south coast of South Korea, finding widespread contamination with fibers and fragments across multiple sampling sites. Polymer analysis identified polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene as the dominant types.

2024 Microplastics 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Floating macroplastic pollution in Korean coastal and offshore areas

Researchers conducted visual observation surveys during 2022 and 2023 research cruises to document floating macroplastic pollution larger than 2.5 cm in South Korean coastal and offshore waters, including the South Sea and East Sea. They found debris densities ranging from 9 to 1,191 items per km2 and characterized dominant plastic types, filling a data gap given that prior Korean studies had focused primarily on microplastics.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
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

Distribution and characterization of microplastics in marine sediments from coastal and offshore in South Korea

Researchers conducted an intensive survey of microplastic distribution and characterization in marine sediments from coastal areas, confirming the seafloor as a long-term sink for plastic pollution. Contamination was highest near urban coastlines, with fibers and fragments accumulating preferentially in low-energy depositional environments.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Preliminary study of the source apportionment and diversity of microplastics: Taking floating microplastics in the South China Sea as an example

Researchers developed a source-specific classification system for floating microplastics in the South China Sea, analyzing surface water samples to estimate contributions from different land-based and ocean-based sources. The work advances understanding of which human activities contribute most to microplastic pollution in this heavily trafficked sea.

2018 Environmental Pollution 357 citations
Article Tier 2

Abundance, composition, and distribution of microplastics larger than 20 μm in sand beaches of South Korea

A national survey of 20 sandy beaches along the South Korean coast found microplastics at all locations, with fragments as the dominant type and concentrations varying by beach exposure and proximity to population centers. The study establishes a national baseline for beach microplastic contamination to support monitoring and management policy in South Korea.

2018 Environmental Pollution 244 citations
Article Tier 2

Characterization of microplastics in the surface seawater of the South Yellow Sea as affected by season

Surface seawater in the South Yellow Sea contained higher microplastic concentrations in winter than spring or summer, with fibers making up about 90% of particles and polyethylene and polypropylene as the dominant polymers. Seasonal variation in plastic characteristics, especially in summer, reflected greater terrestrial inputs during warmer months.

2020 The Science of The Total Environment 133 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Contamination on the Beaches of South China

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination across 14 beaches along the South China coast, finding microplastics ubiquitously present in sandy sediments, predominantly as small fragments under 1 mm, with distribution patterns linked to coastal urbanization and ocean current dynamics.

2022 Frontiers in Marine Science 26 citations
Article Tier 2

Abundance, characteristics and ecological risks of microplastics from South Yellow Sea Mudflat

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.

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

Distribution pattern and influencing factors for the microplastics in continental shelf, slope, and deep-sea surface sediments from the South China Sea

Researchers investigated microplastic pollution in surface sediments across the continental shelf, slope, and deep-sea floor of the northern South China Sea. The study found an average abundance of about 131 particles per kilogram, with distribution patterns influenced by ocean currents, water depth, and proximity to river inputs.

2022 Environmental Pollution 63 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in the western Pacific and South China Sea: Spatial variations reveal the impact of Kuroshio intrusion

Surface microplastic distribution in the western Pacific and South China Sea was strongly influenced by Kuroshio Current intrusion, with stations affected by Kuroshio showing distinct polymer composition and concentration patterns from those outside its influence, demonstrating that major western boundary currents redistribute microplastics across ocean basin scales.

2021 Environmental Pollution 57 citations