Synthesis of dominant plastic microfibre prevalence and pollution control feasibility in Chinese freshwater environments

Yuyao Xu; Faith Ka Shun Chan; Thomas Stanton; Matthew F Johnson; Paul Kay; Jun He; Jue Wang; Chuilan Kong; Zilin Wang; Dong Liu; Yaoyang Xu

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146863

Synthesis of dominant plastic microfibre prevalence and pollution control feasibility in Chinese freshwater environments

Sci Total Environ. 2021 Aug 20:783:146863. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146863. Epub 2021 Mar 31.

Authors

Yuyao Xu¹, Faith Ka Shun Chan², Thomas Stanton³, Matthew F Johnson⁴, Paul Kay⁵, Jun He⁶, Jue Wang⁷, Chuilan Kong⁷, Zilin Wang⁷, Dong Liu⁸, Yaoyang Xu⁸

Affiliations

¹ School of Geographical Sciences, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo 315100, China. Electronic address: Yuyao.XU@nottingham.edu.cn.
² School of Geographical Sciences, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo 315100, China; School of Geography and Water@Leeds Research Institute, University of Leeds, Leeds LS29JT, UK. Electronic address: faith.chan@nottingham.edu.cn.
³ School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Science, Brackenhurst Campus Nottingham Trent University, Southwell NG25 0QF, UK.
⁴ School of Geography, University of Nottingham, University Park, NG7 2RD Nottingham, UK. Electronic address: m.johnson@nottingham.ac.uk.
⁵ School of Geography and Water@Leeds Research Institute, University of Leeds, Leeds LS29JT, UK.
⁶ Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo 315100, China. Electronic address: jun.he@nottingham.edu.cn.
⁷ School of Geographical Sciences, University of Nottingham Ningbo China, Ningbo 315100, China.
⁸ Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Science, Ningbo Monitoring Station, Ningbo, China.

PMID: 33872912
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146863

Abstract

Microplastic pollution of freshwaters is known to be a great concern in China and these pollutants can be discharged into the coastal environment through fluvial processes, posing threats to the global marine ecosystem. This paper reviewed the literature measuring microplastic pollution in the Chinese freshwater environment and found that microfibres dominate other plastic morphologies in more than 65% of samples collected in surface water, sediments and effluents of wastewater treatment plants and domestic sewers. Current potential sources of microfibre pollution are identified including fishery activities, laundry sewage, and waste textiles according to previous research. Recommendations are offered using the circular economy management framework, such as textile waste reuse and recycling systems in China, for improving current control measures for microplastics in freshwaters.

Keywords: China; Freshwater; Microfibre; Microplastic; Textile.