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Updated: Aug 2, 2026

Protocol for Microplastics Sampling on the Sea Surface and Sample Analysis
Published on: December 16, 2016
Distribution, compositional characteristics, and historical pollution records of microplastics in tidal flats of
Jaeyeon Park1, Seongjin Hong2, Won Joon Shim3
1Department of Convergence Study on the Ocean Science and Technology, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Busan 49112, Republic of Korea; Marine Ecosystem Research Center, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, Busan 49111, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
Studies on distribution of microplastics (MPs) in sediments of tidal flats are relatively scarce compared to other coastal areas. In this study, spatial and vertical distributions and compositions of MPs in tidal flat sediments along the west coast of Korea were investigated. The abundance of MPs in surface and core sediments ranged from 20 to 325 and 14 to 483 particles per 50 g dry weight, respectively. Polypropylene (51%) and polyethylene (36%) were the most dominant MPs; the size was <0.3 mm, and the shape was mostly fragments followed by fibers. The abundance of MPs in sediments has increased rapidly since the 1970s, and recently showed a slight decrease. Surface morphology of MPs analyzed using a scanning electron microscope revealed that the MPs in tidal flats were highly weathered mechanically and/or oxidatively. The results of this study provide valid baseline data on distributions of MPs in tidal flats.
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