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Updated: Jul 8, 2025
Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris
Published on: July 28, 2018
A case study on microplastics pollution characteristics in fouling organisms in typical aquaculture bay, China
Kexin Song1, Wei Jin2, Guang Yang2
1Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, 222005, PR China; Analytical Instrumentation Center, Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya, 572000, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, PR China.
Abstract:
Microplastics (MPs) and fouling organisms are prevalent in oceans worldwide. The study aims to investigate the pollution characteristics of MPs in fouling organisms. The study found significant inter-specific differences in the MPs abundance, while the length of MPs is consistent. The average number of MPs in N. exigua is 0.00 ± 0.00. There is a correlation between MPs abundance and weight in sessile group, while gastropods don't. Direct observation has demonstrated that the radulae of N. radula can envelop MPs. Fiber and blue are the predominant forms and colors of MPs found in fouling organisms. It is noteworthy that all film and fragment MPs observed were of a blue hue and had a size limitation of 500 μm. The characteristics of MPs between sessile organisms are more similar than those between gastropods. This study has improved our understanding of the pollution characteristics of MPs in fouling organisms, specifically gastropods.
