Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Marine Resources, Environment and Sustainable Development, Fourth Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beihai 536000, PR China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Ecosystem and Bioresource, Fourth Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beihai 536000, PR China.
State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, PR China; College of Ocean and Earth Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, PR China; Coastal and Ocean Management Institute, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, PR China; College of Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, PR China.
Mar Environ Res. 2024 Nov;202:106797. doi: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106797. Epub 2024 Oct 18.
This study investigated the distribution, abundance, and mass budget of microplastics (MPs) in the Beibu Gulf, Northern South China Sea, focusing on their ecological significance and anthropogenic influence. Microplastics were found in all water and sediment samples, with concentrations in surface water ranging from 0.10 to 0.89 items/m³, and in bottom water from 0 to 0.85 items/m³. Sediment samples exhibited higher levels, ranging from 13.12 to 155.59 items/kg. The spatial distribution revealed higher concentrations along the northern Gulf and Guangxi Province, suggesting significant human influence from coastal activities, such as mariculture and industrial discharges. The study utilized both field data and a mass balance box model to estimate the MPs mass budget, revealing that oceanic flow and riverine discharge are major contributors, accounting for 49% and 52% of MPs, while Atmospheric deposition and sedimentation represents 8% and 1%, respectively. The inventory estimation calculated that 0.24 tons of MPs exist in the water column, and 137 tons in the sediment, emphasizing the substantial environmental burden posed by these pollutants. The significance of this research lies in its comprehensive assessment of MPs in a semi-enclosed gulf, providing critical insight into the role of coastal and hydrodynamic processes in MP distribution. This study highlights the urgent need for better waste management practices in coastal regions to mitigate microplastic pollution and its detrimental effects on marine ecosystems.
本研究调查了北部湾（中国南海北部的一个半封闭海湾）中微塑料（MPs）的分布、丰度和质量预算，重点关注其生态意义和人为影响。在所有水样和沉积物样本中都发现了微塑料，其中地表水的浓度范围为 0.10 至 0.89 个/立方米，底层水的浓度范围为 0 至 0.85 个/立方米。沉积物样本的浓度更高，范围为 13.12 至 155.59 个/千克。空间分布显示，北部湾北部和广西地区的浓度较高，表明沿海活动（如海水养殖和工业排放）对人类有重大影响。本研究利用现场数据和质量平衡箱模型来估计 MPs 的质量预算，结果表明海洋流动和河流排放是主要贡献者，分别占 MPs 的 49%和 52%，而大气沉积和沉降分别占 8%和 1%。清单估计表明，水柱状存在 0.24 吨 MPs，沉积物中存在 137 吨 MPs，强调了这些污染物对环境造成的巨大负担。本研究的意义在于对半封闭海湾中 MPs 进行了全面评估，深入了解了沿海和水动力过程在 MPs 分布中的作用。本研究强调了在沿海地区采取更好的废物管理措施的紧迫性，以减轻微塑料污染及其对海洋生态系统的不利影响。
