Ocean current modulation of the spatial distribution of microplastics in the surface sediments of the Beibu Gulf, China

IF 12.2 1区 环境科学与生态学 Q1 ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL
Liyuan Wu , Chengyong Li , Chao Huang , Yongyi Luo , Jiang Huang , Fajin Chen , Xin Huang , Ruikun Sun
{"title":"Ocean current modulation of the spatial distribution of microplastics in the surface sediments of the Beibu Gulf, China","authors":"Liyuan Wu ,&nbsp;Chengyong Li ,&nbsp;Chao Huang ,&nbsp;Yongyi Luo ,&nbsp;Jiang Huang ,&nbsp;Fajin Chen ,&nbsp;Xin Huang ,&nbsp;Ruikun Sun","doi":"10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.137332","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Microplastic pollution, a major global environmental issue, is gaining heightened attention worldwide. Marginal seas are particularly susceptible to microplastic contamination, yet data on microplastics in marine sediments remain scarce, especially in the Beibu Gulf. This study presents a large-scale investigation of microplastics in the surface sediments of the Beibu Gulf to deciphering their distribution, sources and risk to marginal seas ecosystems. The results reveal widespread microplastic contamination, with an average abundance of 391 ± 27 items/kg in sediments. The spatial variability of microplastic abundance was significant, with lower levels in the western Beibu Gulf and higher concentrations in the northeastern and southeastern regions. The spatial distribution of microplastics was largely driven by geological features, hydrodynamic conditions, and human activity, with minimal influence from local environmental factors such as water depth, sediment grain size, organic carbon content, and sediment types. The pollution load index (PLI) suggests a low level of microplastic contamination, but the polymer hazard index (PHI) identified a high ecological risk, likely due to the presence of PVC, a polymer with higher chemical toxicity. Our findings highlight the significant role of hydrodynamic processes in determining microplastic distribution in the Beibu Gulf. These insights enhance our understanding of microplastic dispersal and its governing factors in semi-enclosed marginal seas, providing foundation for targeted pollution control strategies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":361,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Hazardous Materials","volume":"488 ","pages":"Article 137332"},"PeriodicalIF":12.2000,"publicationDate":"2025-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Hazardous Materials","FirstCategoryId":"93","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304389425002444","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0

Abstract

Microplastic pollution, a major global environmental issue, is gaining heightened attention worldwide. Marginal seas are particularly susceptible to microplastic contamination, yet data on microplastics in marine sediments remain scarce, especially in the Beibu Gulf. This study presents a large-scale investigation of microplastics in the surface sediments of the Beibu Gulf to deciphering their distribution, sources and risk to marginal seas ecosystems. The results reveal widespread microplastic contamination, with an average abundance of 391 ± 27 items/kg in sediments. The spatial variability of microplastic abundance was significant, with lower levels in the western Beibu Gulf and higher concentrations in the northeastern and southeastern regions. The spatial distribution of microplastics was largely driven by geological features, hydrodynamic conditions, and human activity, with minimal influence from local environmental factors such as water depth, sediment grain size, organic carbon content, and sediment types. The pollution load index (PLI) suggests a low level of microplastic contamination, but the polymer hazard index (PHI) identified a high ecological risk, likely due to the presence of PVC, a polymer with higher chemical toxicity. Our findings highlight the significant role of hydrodynamic processes in determining microplastic distribution in the Beibu Gulf. These insights enhance our understanding of microplastic dispersal and its governing factors in semi-enclosed marginal seas, providing foundation for targeted pollution control strategies.

Abstract Image

洋流对北部湾表层沉积物中微塑料空间分布的调节作用
微塑料污染是一个重大的全球性环境问题,正在引起全世界的高度关注。边缘海域特别容易受到微塑料污染,但海洋沉积物中微塑料的数据仍然很少,特别是在北部湾。本研究对北部湾表层沉积物中的微塑料进行了大规模调查,以解读其分布、来源和对边缘海洋生态系统的风险。结果显示微塑料污染广泛存在,沉积物中平均丰度为391±27个/kg。微塑料丰度的空间变异性显著,北部湾西部较低,东北部和东南部较高。微塑料的空间分布主要受地质特征、水动力条件和人类活动的驱动,受水深、沉积物粒度、有机碳含量和沉积物类型等局部环境因素的影响最小。污染负荷指数(PLI)表明微塑料污染水平较低,但聚合物危害指数(PHI)表明生态风险较高,可能是由于PVC的存在,这是一种具有较高化学毒性的聚合物。我们的研究结果强调了水动力过程在确定北部湾微塑料分布中的重要作用。这些见解增强了我们对半封闭边缘海域微塑料扩散及其控制因素的理解,为有针对性的污染控制策略提供了基础。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
求助全文
约1分钟内获得全文 求助全文
来源期刊
Journal of Hazardous Materials
Journal of Hazardous Materials 工程技术-工程:环境
CiteScore
25.40
自引率
5.90%
发文量
3059
审稿时长
58 days
期刊介绍: The Journal of Hazardous Materials serves as a global platform for promoting cutting-edge research in the field of Environmental Science and Engineering. Our publication features a wide range of articles, including full-length research papers, review articles, and perspectives, with the aim of enhancing our understanding of the dangers and risks associated with various materials concerning public health and the environment. It is important to note that the term "environmental contaminants" refers specifically to substances that pose hazardous effects through contamination, while excluding those that do not have such impacts on the environment or human health. Moreover, we emphasize the distinction between wastes and hazardous materials in order to provide further clarity on the scope of the journal. We have a keen interest in exploring specific compounds and microbial agents that have adverse effects on the environment.
×
引用
GB/T 7714-2015
复制
MLA
复制
APA
复制
导出至
BibTeX EndNote RefMan NoteFirst NoteExpress
×
提示
您的信息不完整,为了账户安全,请先补充。
现在去补充
×
提示
您因"违规操作"
具体请查看互助需知
我知道了
×
提示
确定
请完成安全验证×
copy
已复制链接
快去分享给好友吧!
我知道了
右上角分享
点击右上角分享
0
联系我们:info@booksci.cn Book学术提供免费学术资源搜索服务,方便国内外学者检索中英文文献。致力于提供最便捷和优质的服务体验。 Copyright © 2023 布克学术 All rights reserved.
京ICP备2023020795号-1
ghs 京公网安备 11010802042870号
Book学术文献互助
Book学术文献互助群
群 号:481959085
Book学术官方微信