Papers

61,005 results
|
Article Tier 2

Distribution Patterns and Human Exposure Risks of Microplastics in Dominant Wild Edible Shrimp: A Case Study of Haizhou Bay Marine Ranch

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in dominant wild shrimp species in Haizhou Bay, China, characterizing the types, sizes, and concentrations of MPs found in their bodies and assessing the human dietary exposure risks from consuming these economically important seafood species.

2025 Water
Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination in the dominant crabs at the intertidal zone of Chongming Island, Yangtze Estuary

This study investigated microplastic contamination in dominant intertidal crabs (Chiromantes dehaani) at Chongming Island in the Yangtze Estuary, finding widespread microplastic ingestion in a species whose burrowing and bioturbation behaviors may redistribute plastics in sediment.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 29 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution and diversity of microplastics along the aquatic food web in the largest mangrove reserve of China

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination across the food web in China's largest natural mangrove reserve, examining fish, crabs, shrimp, and bivalves. They found that fish contained the most microplastics, and that organisms feeding indiscriminately accumulated more plastic particles than selective feeders. The study introduces a microplastic diversity index that reveals surprisingly complex contamination patterns across different species and trophic levels in mangrove ecosystems.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and Characteristics of Microplastics in Wild and Farmed Shrimps Collected from Cau Hai Lagoon, Central Vietnam

Researchers measured microplastic occurrence in the gastrointestinal tracts and tissues of four shrimp species (two wild, two farmed) from a Vietnamese lagoon, finding microplastics in all species and providing baseline data on seafood plastic contamination for this region.

2023 Molecules 22 citations
Article Tier 2

Investigating a probable relationship between the distribution of microplastics and crab burrows in the intertidal zone of Chongming Island, Yangtze Estuary

Researchers investigated the relationship between crab burrow distribution and microplastic accumulation in intertidal sediments of Chongming Island, finding that crab bioturbation activity influenced the spatial distribution of microplastics, suggesting that benthic fauna behavior plays an underappreciated role in microplastic redistribution.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 22 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

Low level of microplastic contamination in wild fish from an urban estuary

Researchers found low levels of microplastic contamination in 26 wild fish species from the Pearl River Estuary, South China, with abundance and polymer composition varying by species feeding strategy and habitat depth, suggesting that estuarine fish exposure depends substantially on ecological niche.

2020 Marine Pollution Bulletin 63 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in surface water and sediments of Chongming Island in the Yangtze Estuary, China

This study surveyed microplastic abundance and characteristics in surface water and sediments around Chongming Island in the Yangtze Estuary, China, finding widespread contamination with fibers and fragments dominating. The Yangtze Estuary serves as a major conduit for microplastics moving from freshwater to the marine environment.

2020 Environmental Sciences Europe 226 citations
Article Tier 2

Species-specific bioindicators of microplastic pollution in a shallow lake: Hydrological period drives benthic macroinvertebrate exposure in Baiyangdian Lake, China

Researchers studied microplastic accumulation in three benthic invertebrate species across seasons in Baiyangdian Lake, China, and found that biological factors like feeding behavior were more important than ambient microplastic levels in determining uptake. The study suggests that seasonal hydrology strongly influences microplastic exposure and recommends specific shrimp and crayfish species as sensitive bioindicators for monitoring microplastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems.

2026 Journal of Hazardous Materials
Article Tier 2

Ingestion and adherence of microplastics by estuarine mysid shrimp

Researchers investigated how estuarine mysid shrimp ingest and accumulate microplastics both internally and on their external body surfaces. The study found microplastics in the shrimp's bodies and fecal pellets, and feeding experiments revealed that these organisms readily consume plastic particles, raising concerns about microplastic transfer through marine food webs.

2024 Marine Environmental Research 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatiotemporal distribution, source identification and inventory of microplastics in surface sediments from Sanggou Bay, China

Researchers measured the spatiotemporal distribution of microplastics in surface sediments from Sanggou Bay (an aquaculture area in China) across multiple seasons and identified fishing gear and aquaculture equipment as dominant local sources, estimating total plastic inventory in the bay.

2020 The Science of The Total Environment 97 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

Assessment of microplastic contamination in clams and shrimp from estuarine environments of Goa: implications for environmental health and food safety

Researchers examined clams and shrimp from estuarine environments in Goa, India, and found microplastics present in both species and their surrounding waters, with shrimp from one site showing particularly high contamination and bioaccumulation. The particles were predominantly polyamide, polyethylene, and polystyrene fibers and fragments, likely originating from fishing, tourism, and waste disposal activities. The findings raise concerns about food safety for local and tourist populations who regularly consume seafood from these coastal areas.

2025 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 3 citations
Article Tier 2

The influences of spatial-temporal variability and ecological drivers on microplastic in marine fish in Hong Kong

Researchers found that over 57% of marine fish in Hong Kong waters contained microplastics, with higher abundance in fish from more polluted western waters during the wet season, and that omnivorous fish ingested significantly more microplastics than carnivorous fish regardless of collection location or season.

2023 Environmental Pollution 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial variation of floatable plastic debris and microplastics in the Pearl River Estuary, South China

Researchers quantified and characterized microplastics and large plastic debris in surface water from the Inner Lingding Bay of the Pearl River Estuary, finding both types present at all sites with mean abundances of 2.376 and 0.110 items per square meter respectively, predominantly as fibers from multiple sources.

2020 Marine Pollution Bulletin 88 citations
Article Tier 2

Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in the Wanquan River estuary, Hainan Island

Researchers characterized microplastic pollution in the Wanquan River estuary in Hainan Island, finding high abundances in both surface water and sediment, with fibers as the dominant shape and polyethylene as the primary polymer type.

2023 Marine Pollution Bulletin 34 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial Distribution, Key Influencing Factors, and Ecological Risk of Microplastics in Pearl River Estuary Water and Sediments

Researchers mapped the distribution of microplastics in the water and sediments of the Pearl River Estuary in China and identified the key factors driving contamination levels. Fibers were the most common microplastic type found, and human activity along the coast strongly influenced pollution patterns. The study also assessed ecological risks and provides a framework for understanding how microplastics accumulate in heavily populated estuarine environments.

2025 Water 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and Characteristics of Microplastic Pollution in Xiangxi Bay of Three Gorges Reservoir, China

Researchers surveyed Xiangxi Bay in the Three Gorges Reservoir and characterized microplastic occurrence and distribution, finding contamination throughout the bay with patterns influenced by local water circulation and sediment dynamics.

2017 Environmental Science & Technology 550 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in sediments of the Changjiang Estuary, China

Researchers sampled sediments in the Changjiang Estuary and found microplastics throughout, with concentrations and polymer types reflecting inputs from the Yangtze River and coastal human activities.

2017 Environmental Pollution 774 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in the Yangtze River Basin: Heterogeneity of abundances and characteristics in different environments

Researchers compiled microplastic data from 624 sampling sites across the Yangtze River Basin covering water, sediment, soil, and biota, revealing heterogeneous contamination patterns driven by local land use, population density, and wastewater infrastructure.

2021 Environmental Pollution 112 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatio-temporal comparison of neustonic microplastic density in Hong Kong waters under the influence of the Pearl River Estuary

Spatial and temporal surveys of microplastic density in Hong Kong surface waters found elevated concentrations near the Pearl River Estuary and seasonal variation linked to river discharge. The study provides empirical evidence that river outflow from China's Pearl River is a significant driver of coastal microplastic distribution in Hong Kong waters.

2018 The Science of The Total Environment 160 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic characteristics in organisms of different trophic levels from Liaohe Estuary, China

Researchers collected organisms from multiple trophic levels at Liaohe Estuary, China, and measured microplastic ingestion across primary consumers, secondary consumers, and top predators, finding that MP abundance did not increase consistently with trophic level, suggesting complex feeding and depuration dynamics.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 125 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Accumulation in Hong Kong’s Marine Sediment: Spatial Pattern and Potential Sources

Researchers conducted a comprehensive survey of microplastics in marine sediments across Hong Kong's waters. They found microplastics at every sampling site, with fibers and fragments being the most common forms and polypropylene and polyethylene the dominant plastics. The spatial patterns suggest that coastal urbanization and water circulation are key factors driving where microplastics accumulate in sediments.

2025 Environment & Health 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic in tropical island estuaries in China: Source identification and management framework development

Researchers found surprisingly higher microplastic concentrations in the less-urbanized Wanquan River Estuary compared to the Nandu River Estuary in Hainan Island, China, suggesting that tourism and agricultural activities may contribute more significantly to microplastic pollution than urbanization alone.

2025 Marine Environmental Research