Occurrences and distribution of microplastic pollution and the control measures in China. (April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fu, Dongdong; Chen, Chein Min; Qi, Huaiyuan; Fan, Zhengquan; Wang, Zezheng; Peng, Licheng; Li, Bo
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 153(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-04
• Subjects: Microplastics -- Distribution -- Ecotoxicological effects -- Controlling countermeasures -- China; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.110963
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: Microplastics (MPs) pollution has been increasingly investigated in marine and freshwater environments, even in atmosphere in China. Current literatures show that MPs contamination is highly related to human activities and geomorphology. Higher MPs occurrences were detected in freshwaters than those in seawaters in China. Furthermore, the abundance of MPs was influenced by many factors, including sampling method, unit of measurement, characteristics of sampling area, and others. Currently, investigating the condition of MPs occurrences and distribution on a broader scale and developing standardized protocol, along with basic toxicological research, will help to address crucial knowledge gaps regarding MPs pollution, their interaction with other pollutants and ecological consequences on individual, population or ecosystem levels in the environment. Meanwhile, this review calls for more efforts to be made for better and scientifically sound risk management for mitigation of MPs pollution in China. Graphical abstract: Unlabelled Image Highlights: Microplastics pollution receives increasing concerns of China in the past five years. More studies focused on the distribution of microplastics in water. Migration and ecotoxicological effects of microplastics remained poorly understood. Further investigation on environmental effects of microplastics is needed.