Coupled effects of urbanization level and dam on microplastics in surface waters in a coastal watershed of Southeast China

Yaling Huang; Miao Tian; Fei Jin; Mengyun Chen; Zhigang Liu; Shuiqing He; Feixiang Li; Liyang Yang; Chao Fang; Jingli Mu

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111089

Coupled effects of urbanization level and dam on microplastics in surface waters in a coastal watershed of Southeast China

Mar Pollut Bull. 2020 May:154:111089. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111089. Epub 2020 Mar 20.

Authors

Yaling Huang¹, Miao Tian², Fei Jin³, Mengyun Chen¹, Zhigang Liu¹, Shuiqing He⁴, Feixiang Li⁵, Liyang Yang⁶, Chao Fang⁷, Jingli Mu⁸

Affiliations

¹ Fujian Key Laboratory of Functional Marine Sensing Materials, Institute of Oceanography, Minjiang University, Fuzhou 350108, China.
² Department of Marine Chemistry, National Marine Environmental Monitoring Center, Dalian 116023, China; College of Fisheries and Life Science, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian 116023, China.
³ Department of Marine Chemistry, National Marine Environmental Monitoring Center, Dalian 116023, China.
⁴ Fujian Key Laboratory of Functional Marine Sensing Materials, Institute of Oceanography, Minjiang University, Fuzhou 350108, China; College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou 350117, China.
⁵ Fujian Key Laboratory of Functional Marine Sensing Materials, Institute of Oceanography, Minjiang University, Fuzhou 350108, China; College of Environment and Resources, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, China.
⁶ College of Environment and Resources, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350116, China.
⁷ Laboratory of Marine Biology and Ecology, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361005, China.
⁸ Fujian Key Laboratory of Functional Marine Sensing Materials, Institute of Oceanography, Minjiang University, Fuzhou 350108, China; Department of Marine Chemistry, National Marine Environmental Monitoring Center, Dalian 116023, China. Electronic address: jlmu@mju.edu.cn.

PMID: 32319918
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111089

Abstract

Investigating the heterogeneous distribution pattern of plastic pollution in river systems is useful for better understanding the transport pathways of plastics from land to sea. Therefore, we analyzed samples from 17 sites to evaluate the distribution pattern of microplastics (MPs) in Minjiang River Watershed. The MP concentrations ranged between 0.12 and 2.72 n/L, with higher microplastic concentrations located in urban areas with greater population and gross domestic product (GDP) densities. MP concentrations were positively correlated with population density, GDP density, and built-up land use percentage, suggesting that increasing urbanization level will lead to greater plastic pollution. MP concentrations spanning the upstream and downstream sides of the SK Hydropower Dam showed decreasing trends, suggesting that MP settling would occur behind the dam and Shuikou Reservoir might serve as a sink for MPs. This study provides useful insight for revealing the effects of urbanization and dams on spatial distribution of riverine MPs.

Keywords: Dam; Microplastics; Spatial variation; Urbanization level.

MeSH terms

China
Environmental Monitoring
Microplastics
Plastics*
Urbanization
Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis*

Substances

Microplastics
Plastics
Water Pollutants, Chemical