Evaluating public risk perception and governance options for microplastic contamination in the Yellow Sea

Abstract

Marine microplastics (MMP), are less than 5 mm in diameter, are a growing environmental pollutant of worldwide interest. They are hazardous to marine life and pose a potential risk to human health. The proper governance process requires public awareness and support, although there is limited information on how risk perception influences choices regarding management strategies. The objectives of this study were (1) to determine people's perceptions of the risks associated with MMP in Jiaozhou Bay, China, (2) to assess the governance choices, and (3) to investigate the impact of socio-demographic factors and perceived risks on willingness to pay (WTP) to mitigate them. A questionnaire survey was conducted among 442 Qingdao residents using a structured questionnaire. Respondents rated the perceived health and environmental risks of MMP and evaluated governance scenarios using the Choice Experiment Model (CEM). Latent class analysis and hybrid logistic regression were used to determine the determinants of preferences and heterogeneity in governance support. The majority of respondents (69.2 %) also identified MMP as a severe threat to human health, but few identified strong ecological risks. The policy variables that were most popular among the population included monitoring programs, average restrictions on single-use plastics, and ambivalent attitudes towards recycling systems. The younger and more educated respondents were more willing to pay, whereas the older respondents were less supportive of recycling actions. Latent class analysis identified two categories: one with a comprehensive management approach, which preferred all three strategies, and one with a preventive regulation approach, which preferred monitoring and plastic restrictions but weakly supported recycling. The results highlight the importance of aligning governance with social values. Enhancement of monitoring networks and open data sharing should be emphasized as a way of establishing confidence and awareness. Bans on plastic must be implemented gradually by investing in biodegradable substitutes and improving recycling systems, with community participation necessary to control MMP over the long term. Research highlights the importance of risk perception in determining the outcome of social support, providing evidence-based advice on the adaptive governance of new marine pollutants.