Microplastics on beaches and mangrove sediments along the coast of South China

Accumulation of microplastics (MPs) data on a global scale is key to supporting plastic waste management for protecting ecosystems. To respond this call, a sampling campaign was conducted in the summer and winter seasons of 2018 to collect beach and mangrove sediment samples from 32 sites along the coastline of South China. The MPs concentrations in the intertidal zone along the coast of South China were comparable to those in other regions around the world. Polystyrene foams and fibers were the most abundant debris in the 0.2-5 mm and 0.02-2 mm MPs, respectively. Principal component and correlation analyses indicated that the abundances of MPs were related to wind direction, wastewater discharge amount, and tourist and fishing activities. Risk assessments suggested that potential ecological risks induced by MPs on beaches and mangrove forest along the coast of South China should not be overlooked.

Automated summary

Accumulation of microplastics data on a global scale is crucial for supporting plastic waste management and protecting ecosystems. Sampling campaigns conducted in South China revealed comparable concentrations of MPs to other regions worldwide, with polystyrene foams and fibers being the most abundant debris. Principal component and correlation analyses showed that MPs abundances were linked to factors like wind direction, wastewater discharge, and human activities, posing potential ecological risks that should not be ignored along the coast of South China.