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Updated: Aug 11, 2025
Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris
Published on: July 28, 2018
Distribution and sources of microplastics in the Beibu Gulf using in-situ filtration technique
Zuhao Zhu1, Kazi Belayet Hossain2, Huihua Wei1
1Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Marine Resources, Environment and Sustainable Development, Fourth Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beihai, PR China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Ecosystem and Bioresource, Fourth Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beihai, PR China.
Abstract:
The Beibu Gulf is a vital link between China and the ASEAN nations, and microplastic contamination is rising due to fast growth, coastal life, fisheries, and mariculture. The abundance, distribution, and source analyses were conducted at 25 sample points for this study. According to this study, the average MPs was 0.25 ± 0.05 items/m3, ranging from 0.01 items/m3 to 0.89 items/m3. Fibers, white, cellulose, and 0.33-1 mm were abundant in shape, color, composition, and size, respectively. Multi-statistics-based source analysis indicated land-based inputs (packing materials, textile materials, fisheries, and mariculture) were dominant in the Beibu Gulf. In this study, we also acknowledged a comprehensive comparison and convenience between plankton pumps and other conventional designs to collect microplastic samples from water. We suggested that using a uniform design could elevate the data quality of microplastics.
