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

Zhu, Lin; Bai, Huaiyu; Chen, Bijuan; Sun, Xuemei; Qu, Kun; Xia, Bin

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.04.182

Cited by 307 publications

(94 citation statements)

References 70 publications

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“…The concentration of microplastics was lower following strong wind events, suggesting that wind plays a role in vertical mixing of microplastics out of surface waters. In a surface water study of microplastics in the North Yellow Sea, China, microplastics were observed at all 19 study sites, with an average concentration of 545 items m −3 , which is about average for other surface water studies in the region (Zhu et al, ). These authors attributed the higher abundance of these microplastics in the northern than the southern portion of the bay to prevailing wind patterns and proximity of developed land.…”

Section: Fate Of Microplastics In the Oceanmentioning

confidence: 66%

“…In a recent meta‐analysis of microplastic polymer distribution, Erni‐Cassola et al () confirmed that most polymers observed in surface waters were polyethylene and polypropylene, low‐density polymers common in single‐use products. This is true of coastal zones as well; for example, polyethylene dominated surface water in the aforementioned study of the North Yellow Sea (Zhu et al, ). Deeper in the water column, denser particles (e.g., polyester, polyamide, and acrylics) may dominate (Erni‐Cassola et al, ).…”

Section: Fate Of Microplastics In the Oceanmentioning

confidence: 96%

See 1 more Smart Citation

A Global Perspective on Microplastics

Hale¹,

Seeley²,

Guardia³

et al. 2020

JGR Oceans

569

270

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Society has become increasingly reliant on plastics since commercial production began in about 1950. Their versatility, stability, light weight, and low production costs have fueled global demand. Most plastics are initially used and discarded on land. Nonetheless, the amount of microplastics in some oceanic compartments is predicted to double by 2030. To solve this global problem, we must understand plastic composition, physical forms, uses, transport, and fragmentation into microplastics (and nanoplastics). Plastic debris/microplastics arise from land disposal, wastewater treatment, tire wear, paint failure, textile washing, and at-sea losses. Riverine and atmospheric transport, storm water, and disasters facilitate releases. In surface waters plastics/microplastics weather, biofoul, aggregate, and sink, are ingested by organisms and redistributed by currents. Ocean sediments are likely the ultimate destination. Plastics release additives, concentrate environmental contaminants, and serve as substrates for biofilms, including exotic and pathogenic species. Microplastic abundance increases as fragment size decreases, as does the proportion of organisms capable of ingesting them. Particles <20 μm may penetrate cell membranes, exacerbating risks. Exposure can compromise feeding, metabolic processes, reproduction, and behavior. But more investigation is required to draw definitive conclusions. Human ingestion of contaminated seafood and water is a concern. Microplastics indoors present yet uncharacterized risks, magnified by the time we spend inside (>90%) and the abundance of polymeric products therein. Scientific challenges include improving microplastic sampling and characterization approaches, understanding long-term behavior, additive bioavailability, and organismal and ecosystem health risks. Solutions include improving globally based pollution prevention, developing degradable polymers and additives, and reducing consumption/expanding plastic reuse.

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Section: Fate Of Microplastics In the Oceanmentioning

confidence: 66%

Section: Fate Of Microplastics In the Oceanmentioning

confidence: 96%

A Global Perspective on Microplastics

Hale¹,

Seeley²,

Guardia³

et al. 2020

JGR Oceans

569

270

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The abundance of microplastics in sediments in the Changjiang Estuary was 121 items/kg dry weight (Peng et al 2017). For the North Yellow Sea, microplastic abundance was 545 items/m 3 in surface water and 37 items/kg dry weight in sediments (Zhu et al 2018). Microplastic abundance in surface waters of the Bohai Sea was 0.33 n/m 3 (W. .…”

Section: Surface Water In Marginal Seasmentioning

confidence: 99%

Progress and prospects of marine microplastic research in China

Peng

Zhu

2019

Anthropocene Coasts

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Research on microplastics in China is progressing rapidly. Within recent years, more than 30 research institutes have conducted research on marine microplastic in estuaries, coasts, open sea, and Polar regions. Microplastics have been detected in freshwater systems (lakes, rivers, and wastewater treatment plants) and coastal and marine environments. This paper reviews the research progress of microplastics in China, providing information on topics including the methodology, quantification of microplastics in various habitats, eco-toxicological effect, biodegradation, management, and control of plastic waste and microplastics. This paper discusses the sampling and analysis of microplastic in different media, followed by spatial and temporal distribution of microplastics in marginal seas and coastal and freshwater systems. After summarizing the recent advances on toxicology research and risk assessment of microplastics, this paper provides suggestions for future study to provide baseline information for better risk assessment and improved understanding of the lifecycle of microplastics in the environment.

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“…China is the largest producer of plastic waste, and its output of plastic to the ocean is assumed to exceed 25% of the total global loading (Jambeck et al, 2015). Investigations show that microplastic pollution is especially serious in coastal and estuarine regions of China from north to south (Zhao et al, 2014;Qiu et al, 2015;Peng et al, 2017;Zhu et al, 2018), including the Ou River estuary at Southeast China where this study is located (Zhao et al, 2015). Similar to most coastal zones in China, the sediment settling rate and hence expansion of tidal mudflats surrounding the Ou River estuary are greatly accelerated by invasion of the saltmarsh cordgrass Spartina alterniflora .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%