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Updated: Jan 30, 2026

Protocol for Microplastics Sampling on the Sea Surface and Sample Analysis
Published on: December 16, 2016
Preliminary study of the source apportionment and diversity of microplastics: Taking floating microplastics in the
Teng Wang1, Xinqing Zou2, Baojie Li3
1School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Coastal and Island Development, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China.
Abstract:
At present, the study of microplastic sources is in a relatively preliminary stage due to the complexity of microplastic features in the environment. Based on a literature review, we developed a source-specific classification system for the quantitative analysis of microplastic sources. The classification system includes ten types of microplastics based on morphology and composition and can identify their main sources and the associated probabilities. To reflect the complexity of types and sources in the regional combination of microplastics, we first propose a microplastic diversity index (D1-D'(MP)). We use the South China Sea as an example to carry out quantitative source analysis and calculate the diversity index. Eight types of microplastics were found, mainly consisting of maritime coatings (type "Gran_coat") (33.0%) and synthetic fibers (type "Fib_thin") (29.6%). We also found that the diversity increased with offshore distance. In addition, we partitioned surface microplastics globally according to a two-dimensional microplastic abundance-diversity index. We believe that these indicators can effectively reflect pollution status and ultimately lead to different types of control measures. In the future, additional indicators for the characterization of microplastics must be included in the classification system to establish a one-to-one source analysis system for microplastic characteristics and source apportionment. In general, our study may provide new insights into the establishment of more accurate and quantitative source apportionment techniques and effective pollution control.
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