Zhu Zuhao, Pang Shuting, Su Qiongyuan, Wei Huihua, Qu Yi, Chen Jie, Huang Liangliang
School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Marine Resources, Environment and Sustainable Development, Fourth Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beihai, 536000, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Ecosystem and Bioresource, Fourth Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beihai, 536000, China.
School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning, 530004, China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Marine Resources, Environment and Sustainable Development, Fourth Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beihai, 536000, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Ecosystem and Bioresource, Fourth Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beihai, 536000, China.
Mar Environ Res. 2025 Mar;205:106931. doi: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106931. Epub 2024 Dec 31.
A large-scale investigation of the surface sediments in the Beibu Gulf was conducted in this study to reveal the contamination characteristics of microplastics in the surface sediments of the Beibu Gulf. The results showed that the abundance of microplastics ranged from 12.91 to 251.69 items/kg, dry weigh (DW), with an average abundance of 84.34 ± 51.85 items/kg (DW). The highest abundance of microplastics was found in the estuary of northwestern Hainan, influenced by the West Guangdong Coastal Current. The overall distribution of abundance showed a decreasing trend from nearshore to offshore. Microplastics in the surface sediments were predominantly in the form of fiber (87.51%), with a predominant white color. The polymer of microplastics in surface sediment was primarily polyester (43.43%). The main sources of microplastics include household items, textile products, food packaging, fishing activities, industrial activities, sewage discharges, and biochemical materials, of which household products and textile products are the most important sources. The results of the risk evaluation showed that the sediment of Beibu Gulf was contaminated with microplastics (pollution load index >1) and the polymer risk was at low to extremely high levels. The high abundance of microplastics and highly toxic polymers resulted in increased ecological risk. These findings highlight the urgent need to implement timely and effective measures to reduce the impact of intensive human activities on microplastic pollution. At the same time, the study data provide an important reference for future ecotoxicological investigations, pollution management strategies and microplastic policy development.
本研究对北部湾表层沉积物进行了大规模调查，以揭示北部湾表层沉积物中微塑料的污染特征。结果表明，微塑料丰度范围为12.91至251.69个/千克干重（DW），平均丰度为84.34±51.85个/千克（DW）。受粤西沿岸流影响，海南西北部河口微塑料丰度最高。丰度的总体分布呈现出从近岸到近海递减的趋势。表层沉积物中的微塑料主要为纤维形态（87.51%），颜色以白色为主。表层沉积物中微塑料的聚合物主要是聚酯（43.43%）。微塑料的主要来源包括家居用品、纺织产品、食品包装、渔业活动、工业活动、污水排放和生化材料，其中家居产品和纺织产品是最重要的来源。风险评估结果表明，北部湾沉积物受到微塑料污染（污染负荷指数>1），聚合物风险处于低到极高水平。微塑料的高丰度和高毒性聚合物导致生态风险增加。这些发现凸显了迫切需要及时采取有效措施，以减少人类密集活动对微塑料污染的影响。同时，研究数据为未来的生态毒理学调查、污染管理策略和微塑料政策制定提供了重要参考。
