Assessment of microplastic contamination in creek waters around Masan Bay, South Korea

Title
Assessment of microplastic contamination in creek waters around Masan Bay, South Korea
Author(s)
조유나; 장미; 한기명; 심원준; 홍상희
KIOST Author(s)
Cho, You Na(조유나)Jang, Mi(장미)Han, Gi Myung(한기명)Shim, Won Joon(심원준)Hong, Sang Hee(홍상희)
Alternative Author(s)
조유나; 장미; 한기명; 심원준; 홍상희
Publication Year
2019-10-16
Abstract
Riverine input is an important pathway for transporting microplastic to the ocean. Nevertheless, the information of microplastic in freshwater system is poorly understood. A heavily urbanized semi-enclosed bay, Masan Bay, in Korea was investigated spatiotemporally. The mean concentration of microplastics in five creeks was 1681 ± 480 (700-3360) n/m3. The high abundance of microplastics was detected in creeks crossing the high populated and industrialized areas than less populated and agricultural areas. The concentration of microplastic was high during the periods of high precipitation (July and September). The major polymer type was polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE). Fragment was dominant shape, and less than 300 μm size range accounted for 70% of the total microplastics. The annual flux of microplastics into the bay via creek waters was estimated as 2.8×1011 n/y. Input of microplastics was increased in September after rainy season.
URI
https://sciwatch.kiost.ac.kr/handle/2020.kiost/22253
Bibliographic Citation
11th Micropol and Ecohazard Conference, 2019
Publisher
IWA
Type
Conference
Language
English
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