Baseline concentration of microplastics in surface water and sediment of the northern branches of the Mekong River Delta, Vietnam

The Mekong River Delta in Vietnam, is concerned by numerous microplastic-related issues such as a lack of wastewater treatment facilities and mismanagement of plastic waste released from agriculture, aquaculture and related activities. This study aimed to examine the presence of microplastics in surface water and sediment by collecting samples from six sites along the Tien River and its distributaries in February 2019. The results showed that the average concentration of microplastics over the entire area was 53.8 +/- 140.7 items m(-3) in surface water and 6.0 +/- 2.0 items g(-1) dried weight in sediment, with a predominance of microplastic fibres rather than fragments, respectively 85 % and 98 % in surface water and sediment. In the main flow of surface water, the concentration of microplastics was stable; however, in the sediment, microplastic concentration was affected by the high dynamic flow regime rather than the sources where microplastics are released.

Automated summary

This study examines the presence of microplastics in the Mekong River Delta in Vietnam and finds that both surface water and sediment contain microplastics, with a predominance of microplastic fibers. The concentration of microplastics is stable in surface water but influenced by high dynamic flow in sediment.