Papers

61,005 results
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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

Spatiotemporal variations, source apportionment, and cross-regional impacts of microplastics in surface seawater of Chinese Marginal Seas

Researchers analyzed spatiotemporal patterns of microplastic pollution across China's marginal seas from 2016 to 2022, finding that the Bohai Sea had the highest contamination levels in both rainy and dry seasons. The Yangtze River Estuary, Pearl River Estuary, and Bohai Bay were identified as major hotspot regions contributing to surrounding marine pollution. Source analysis revealed that industrial manufacturing and plastic packaging were the primary contributors, with polyethylene and polypropylene dominating the composition.

2025 Marine Pollution Bulletin 6 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 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 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 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

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

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

A critical review on the sources and instruments of marine microplastics and prospects on the relevant management in China

This critical review examined sources, distribution, and monitoring instruments for marine microplastics in China, identifying key knowledge gaps and proposing management strategies to address the country's significant contribution to global ocean plastic pollution.

2018 Waste Management & Research The Journal for a Sustainable Circular Economy 157 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

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

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

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

Progress on microplastics research in the Yellow Sea, China

This review synthesizes progress on microplastics research in China's Yellow Sea, documenting plastic debris across surface water, water column, sediments, and marine organisms, and highlighting the influence of dense coastal human activity on this major Western Pacific marginal sea.

2020 Anthropocene Coasts 12 citations
Systematic Review Tier 1

Sources, Status, and Potential Risks of Microplastics in Marine Organisms of the Bohai Sea: A Systematic Review

This systematic review examines microplastic pollution in the Bohai Sea, finding that 62% of contamination comes from land-based sources and the rest from marine activities. The research highlights ecological risks to marine organisms in the region, which matters for human health since contaminated seafood from these waters is widely consumed.

2025 Toxics 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in China's inland water systems: A review of findings, methods, characteristics, effects, and management

This review synthesized findings on microplastic pollution across China's inland water systems — rivers, lakes, and reservoirs — documenting widespread contamination and identifying gaps in monitoring methods and research coverage.

2018 The Science of The Total Environment 511 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Pollution and Its Potential Correlation with Environmental Factors in Daya Bay, South China Sea

Researchers surveyed 26 sites in Daya Bay, China, finding microplastics in both surface water (up to ~14 items/L) and sediment (up to ~823 items/kg), with fibers and PET the dominant types. The study also identified correlations between microplastic abundance and environmental factors, highlighting how coastal waters near urbanized areas accumulate significant plastic contamination that threatens marine life.

2023 Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 12 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
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Chinese coastal waters: A mini-review of occurrence characteristics, sources and driving mechanisms

This mini-review compiles data on microplastic pollution across four Chinese coastal water regions, examining both natural and social factors that drive contamination levels. Researchers found that microplastic abundance varied significantly depending on sampling methods, and identified key sources including fishing activities, river discharge, and coastal development. The study highlights the need for standardized monitoring approaches to better track microplastic pollution trends in Chinese waters.

2024 Waste Management & Research The Journal for a Sustainable Circular Economy 2 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

Microplastic Distribution and Influence Factor Analysis of Seawater and Surface Sediments in a Typical Bay With Diverse Functional Areas: A Case Study in Xincun Lagoon, China

Researchers assessed microplastic distribution in Xincun Lagoon in China, finding that different human activities such as tourism, fishing, and aquaculture directly influenced the type and level of microplastic pollution in seawater and sediments.

2022 Frontiers in Environmental Science 33 citations
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

Microplastics Pollution and Their Potential Impact in Marine Systems: A Case Study in Shandong Peninsula, China

Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in marine environments around China's Shandong Peninsula, documenting contamination levels and potential impacts on the region's important fishing, aquaculture, and tourism industries.

2023 ACS ES&T Water 9 citations