Spatial patterns of micoplastic distributions along shorelines influenced by riverine discharges

Abstract

A shoreline is known as one of final destinations of floating marine plastic debris. However, the abundance and distribution of small plastics in beach sediments are not well addressed yet. The previous studies on distribution of microplastics in a beach are very limited and have mainly focused on distribution in highstranded line. The cross-sectional distribution of microplastics across a beach is not evaluated so far. Theone of aims in this study is quantitative determination of standing stock of mesoplastics (1-25 mm in size)and microplastics (<1 mm in size) in Heungnam beach which is suffered from marine debrisdischarged from Nakdong River, South Korea. Spatial distribution and composition of meso- and micro-plastics are evaluatedalong the the cross-section of the beach. In addition, spatial distribution of both meso- and micro-plastics in six sand beaches including Heungnam beach according to distance from Nakdong River mouth was investigated. Spatial distribution patterns and composition of different size classes of plastic debris were evaluated.oplastics in a beach are very limited and have mainly focused on distribution in highstranded line. The cross-sectional distribution of microplastics across a beach is not evaluated so far. Theone of aims in this study is quantitative determination of standing stock of mesoplastics (1-25 mm in size)and microplastics (<1 mm in size) in Heungnam beach which is suffered from marine debris discharged from Nakdong River, South Korea. Spatial distribution and composition of meso- and micro-plastics are evaluated along the the cross-section of the beach. In addition, spatial distribution of both meso- and micro-plastics in six sand beaches including Heungnam beach according to distance from Nakdong River mouth was investigated. Spatial distribution patterns and composition of different size classes of plastic debris were evaluated.