Papers

61,005 results
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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
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and spatial distribution of microplastics, and their correlation with petroleum in coastal waters of Hainan Island, China

Researchers investigated microplastics in coastal waters of Hainan Island, China, finding higher concentrations near harbors and industrial zones with a significant positive correlation between microplastic abundance and petroleum contamination, suggesting shared pollution sources.

2021 Environmental Pollution 39 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

The occurrence and abundance of microplastics in surface water and sediment of the West River downstream, in the south of China

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in surface water and sediment of the West River downstream in southern China. They found microplastics in all samples, with concentrations ranging widely and fibers being the dominant shape. The study suggests that the downstream section of the West River serves as both a conduit and accumulation zone for microplastic pollution heading toward coastal waters.

2020 The Science of The Total Environment 200 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in surface seawater of Sanggou Bay, China: Occurrence, source and inventory

Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in the surface seawater of Sanggou Bay, China, finding average abundances of 20.06 items per litre dominated by polyethylene fragments smaller than 0.5 mm, and estimating that approximately 62.76% of the microplastic inventory originated from local aquaculture and fishing activities.

2020 Marine Pollution Bulletin 80 citations
Article Tier 2

Karakteristik Mikroplastik pada Sedimen dan Air laut di Muara Sungai Wulan Demak

Researchers characterized microplastics in sediment and seawater at the Wulan River Estuary in Indonesia, finding the highest abundances at stations near the river mouth and identifying fibers as the dominant shape, with FTIR confirming multiple polymer types including polypropylene and polyethylene.

2022 Jurnal Kelautan Tropis 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution characteristics of microplastics in the seawater and sediment: A case study in Jiaozhou Bay, China

Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in the seawater and sediments of Jiaozhou Bay, a semi-enclosed bay in China heavily impacted by human activity. They found microplastic concentrations of 20 to 120 items per cubic meter in seawater and 7 to 25 items per kilogram in sediment, with fibers being the dominant shape and PET the most common polymer. The study found positive correlations between microplastic levels in water and sediment, and higher concentrations near areas with residual ocean currents.

2019 The Science of The Total Environment 299 citations
Article Tier 2

Riverine microplastics derived from mulch film in Hainan Island: Occurrence, source and fate

Researchers investigated the occurrence, sources, and fate of microplastics derived from agricultural mulch films in rivers of Hainan Island, China, finding that mulch film residues are a significant contributor to riverine microplastic pollution with implications for downstream coastal environments.

2022 Environmental Pollution 33 citations
Article Tier 2

Study on Pollution Characteristics and Ecological Risks of Microplastics in Ningyuan River

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in the Ningyuan River in Hainan Province, China, finding plastic particles in surface water samples. The study characterized microplastic abundance, types, sizes, and shapes, and conducted an ecological risk assessment, contributing to understanding of microplastic pollution in China's tropical river systems.

2023 E3S Web of Conferences
Article Tier 2

Abundance and Characteristics of Microplastics in Seawater and Corals From Reef Region of Sanya Bay, China

Researchers quantified microplastic abundance in seawater and coral samples from Sanya Bay, China, finding 15-22 items per liter in seawater and up to 3.6 items per coral polyp, with fibers and fragments as the predominant particle types in reef ecosystems.

2021 Frontiers in Marine Science 37 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic in three urban estuaries, China

Researchers surveyed three urban estuaries in China and found microplastics throughout, with concentrations and types reflecting the combined influence of surrounding city density, stormwater runoff, and tidal mixing.

2015 Environmental Pollution 696 citations
Article Tier 2

[Distribution Characteristics of Microplastics in Surface Water and Sediments of Haizhou Bay, Lianyungang].

Researchers characterized microplastic pollution in surface water and sediments of Haizhou Bay, a small-to-medium-sized inshore bay in Lianyungang, China, documenting the main polymer types, abundances, and spatial distribution patterns to fill a gap in knowledge about microplastics in smaller Chinese coastal environments.

2020 PubMed 20 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics Occurrence in Surface Waters and Sediments in Five River Mouths of Manila Bay

Researchers documented microplastic contamination in water and sediments at five river mouths of Manila Bay in the Philippines, finding fragments and fibers as the dominant types, with polyethylene and polypropylene the most common polymers.

2021 Frontiers in Environmental Science 116 citations
Article Tier 2

Comparative Assessment of Microplastics in Surface Water and Sediments of Meishe River, Haikou, China

Researchers assessed microplastic pollution in China's Meishe River, finding contamination levels of 3-10 items per liter in surface water and 61-205 items per 100g in sediments, predominantly polyethylene fibers that may eventually flow into nearby seas.

2022 Sustainability 20 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in surface seawater and beach sand from the shore of Rayong province, Thailand: Distribution, characterization, and ecological risk assessment

Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in beach sand and seawater along Rayong province, Thailand, finding average concentrations of 339 particles per kilogram in sand and 1,781 particles per cubic meter in seawater, with polyethylene as the most common polymer type.

2021 Marine Pollution Bulletin 135 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

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

Temporal and spatial distribution of microplastic in the sediment of the Han River, South Korea

The first comprehensive survey of microplastic temporal and spatial distribution in Han River sediment in South Korea found microplastics at all sites with concentrations varying by season and proximity to urban areas, with polyethylene and polypropylene fragments and fibers as the dominant types.

2023 Chemosphere 23 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

Distribution of microplastics in surface water of the lower Yellow River near estuary

Researchers characterized microplastics in surface water of the lower Yellow River near its estuary, finding that 93.12% were fibers, 87.94% were under 200 μm, and the main polymers were polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene. The study provides baseline data on the types and distribution of microplastics entering the Bohai Sea from one of China's major rivers.

2019 The Science of The Total Environment 468 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

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

A case study of distribution and characteristics of microplastics in surface water and sediments of the seas around Shenzhen, southern coastal area of China

This study characterized microplastics in surface water and sediments at 14 sites in the seas around Shenzhen, China, finding concentrations of 3.8 to 7.8 particles per liter in water and 26,000 to 100,000 particles per kilogram in sediments. Fibers and films dominated, polyethylene was the main polymer, and ecological risk was assessed as high, with microplastic abundance correlating with urbanization rate.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 54 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