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A framework for systematic microplastic ecological risk assessment at a national scale.
Yifei Qiu1, Shenglu Zhou1, Chuchu Zhang2
1School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China; Key Laboratory of Coastal Zone Exploitation and Protection, Ministry of Natural Resources, Nanjing, 210024, China.
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)
|April 14, 2023
Summary
Microplastic pollution poses a significant ecological risk in China. A systematic assessment reveals 74% of soils and 47% of aquatic environments face medium to high pollution levels, with serious risks identified.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Ecotoxicology
- Pollution Assessment
Background:
- Microplastic pollution is a pervasive global issue affecting both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
- A comprehensive, systematic assessment of microplastic ecological risks, particularly in China, has been lacking.
- Understanding the extent and impact of microplastics is crucial for effective environmental management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically assess the ecological risks of microplastic pollution in China's soil, aquatic, and sediment environments.
- To develop and apply a framework for evaluating microplastic risks, considering spatial distribution, toxicity, and human impacts.
- To identify key environmental factors influencing microplastic pollution levels and transport.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a systematic literature review, screening 128 articles covering 3459 sites across China.
- Applied a literature quality assessment to ensure reliability of the included studies.
- Developed and utilized a risk assessment framework incorporating pollution load index, predicted no-effect concentrations (PNEC) versus measured environmental concentrations (MECs), and a pressure-state-response model.
Main Results:
- 74% of studied soil environments and 47% of aquatic environments exhibited medium to high microplastic pollution levels.
- Ecological risk assessment indicated serious risks, with 97.70% of soil studies and 50.77% of aquatic studies exceeding safe thresholds.
- Microplastic pollution in the Pearl River Delta was classified as high-risk, with UV radiation, rainfall, and river runoff identified as exacerbating factors.
Conclusions:
- Microplastic pollution presents substantial ecological risks across China's terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
- The developed framework provides a robust method for assessing microplastic risks and informing mitigation strategies.
- Environmental factors like UV radiation, rainfall, and river runoff significantly influence microplastic distribution and pollution intensity.
