Seasonal distribution of microplastics in the surface waters of the Yellow Sea, China

Different studies are filling the gaps in the distribution map of global marine microplastics. However, the data on the seasonal variation is relatively limited, which may lead to overestimation or underestimation of the distribution level of microplastics. To understand baseline data and seasonal variations of the microplastics in the surface seawater of the Yellow Sea, a survey over four seasons was conducted during 2017-2018. Microplastics were collected using a 330 μm manta net. It was found that the abundance of microplastics was 0.63 ± 0.57 particles/m³. The seasonal abundance variation was spring > summer ≈ winter > autumn. The main categories were foam, line, and fragments, accounting for 32 %, 19 %, and 19 % of the total amount, respectively, and the dominant components were polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyethylene terephthalate, accounting for 38 %, 22 %, and 22 % of particles, respectively. The factors affecting the variation included wind-induced mixing, river input, and environmental topography.