Gao Liu, Wang Zezheng, Peng Xianzhi, Su Yuanyuan, Fu Pengcheng, Ge Chengjun, Zhao Jinjin, Yang Liang, Yu Huamei, Peng Licheng
College of Ecology and Environment, Hainan University, Haikou, Hainan Province, 570228, China; Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, China.
Key Laboratory of Environmental Resources Utilization and Protection of Guangdong Province, China.
Environ Pollut. 2022 Feb 1;294:118636. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118636. Epub 2021 Dec 7.
In this study, the distribution, abundance, morphology, and composition of microplastics (MPs) in surface seawater and sediment of Hainan Island were systematically investigated. Seawater and sediment samples were collected from six functional zones, including harbor, industrial district, sparsely populated area, tourist area, residential area, and aquaculture area. The abundance of MPs in seawater was 0.46-19.32 items/L, with an average of 2.59 ± 0.43 items/L, which were similar to those detected in the South China Sea (e.g., Nansha (1.25-3.20 items/L) and Xisha (2.57 ± 1.78 items/L)). The highest level was detected in Qinglan Bay Estuary, and the lowest was in Sanya West Island. The abundance of MPs in sediment was 41.18-750.63 items/kg, with an average of 372.47 ± 62.10 items/kg; the highest concentration was detected at Tanmen Port, and the lowest was in Lingao sea area. It was detected that the MPs with smaller size exhibited a higher concentration in seawater. MPs were commonly black and white, and predominantly linear and fragmented in shape. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was the dominant polymer, which might be derived from laundry wastewater. The petroleum concentration was 0.02-0.21 mg/L in the investigated area, with harbors being the most severely polluted areas. Furthermore, this study also found that MPs pollution was positively correlated with petroleum in seawater, indicating similarities between MPs and petroleum-based sources of pollution. This study identifies the contamination and characteristics of MPs and their correlation with petroleum in Hainan Island, the biggest island in the South China Sea, providing important data for further research on protecting marine ecosystems.
本研究系统调查了海南岛表层海水和沉积物中微塑料（MPs）的分布、丰度、形态和组成。海水和沉积物样本采自六个功能区，包括港口、工业区、人口稀少地区、旅游区、居民区和养殖区。海水中MPs的丰度为0.46 - 19.32个/升，平均为2.59 ± 0.43个/升，与在南海检测到的类似（如南沙（1.25 - 3.20个/升）和西沙（2.57 ± 1.78个/升））。最高水平在清澜湾河口检测到，最低在三亚西岛。沉积物中MPs的丰度为41.18 - 750.63个/千克，平均为372.47 ± 62.10个/千克；最高浓度在潭门港检测到，最低在临高海域。检测发现，尺寸较小的MPs在海水中浓度较高。MPs通常为黑色和白色，形状主要为线性和碎片状。聚对苯二甲酸乙二酯（PET）是主要聚合物，可能来自洗衣废水。研究区域内石油浓度为0.02 - 0.21毫克/升，港口是污染最严重的区域。此外，本研究还发现海水中MPs污染与石油呈正相关，表明MPs与石油类污染源具有相似性。本研究确定了中国南海最大岛屿海南岛MPs的污染情况、特征及其与石油的相关性，为进一步开展海洋生态系统保护研究提供了重要数据。
