Wu Liyuan, Li Chengyong, Huang Chao, Luo Yongyi, Huang Jiang, Chen Fajin, Huang Xin, Sun Ruikun
Laboratory for Coastal Ocean Variation and Disaster Prediction, College of Ocean and Meteorology, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, China.
School of Chemistry and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Observation and Research Station for Tropical Ocean Environment in Western Coastal Water, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, China.
J Hazard Mater. 2025 May 5;488:137332. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.137332. Epub 2025 Jan 22.
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.
微塑料污染是一个重大的全球环境问题，正在全球范围内受到越来越多的关注。边缘海尤其容易受到微塑料污染，但关于海洋沉积物中微塑料的数据仍然稀缺，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，以解读它们的分布、来源以及对边缘海生态系统的风险。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/千克。微塑料丰度的空间变异性显著，北部湾西部含量较低，东北部和东南部浓度较高。微塑料的空间分布在很大程度上受地质特征、水动力条件和人类活动驱动，受水深、沉积物粒度、有机碳含量和沉积物类型等当地环境因素的影响最小。污染负荷指数（PLI）表明微塑料污染程度较低，但聚合物危害指数（PHI）确定存在高生态风险，这可能是由于存在化学毒性较高的聚合物聚氯乙烯（PVC）。我们的研究结果突出了水动力过程在决定北部湾微塑料分布方面的重要作用。这些见解加深了我们对微塑料在半封闭边缘海中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依据。
