Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in surface bulk water and microlayer in southern coast of South Korea

Abstract

Microplastics, less than 1 mm in size, have been recently recognized as marine pollutants of significant concern due to their persistence, ubiquity, toxic potential, and potential to act as vectors for transfer of absorbed and additive toxic chemicals to marine organisms. There is growing requirement for global assessment of presence and distribution of microplastics. However, there is still a big data gap to be filled for global assessment of contamination of microplastics. In this study, microplastic debris was quantitatively determined in surface bulk water (top 20 cm at 3 stations) and surface microlayer (50-60 m at 21 stations) in southern coast of South Korea in May, 2012, which is receiving Nakdong River discharge. Abundance of microplastics in bulk water samples ranged from 8,117 to 21,475 particles/m3. Two stations located in semi-enclosed bays showed higher abundance than one at open off-shore station. Microplastic abundances in microlayer are in the range of 30,357-154,231 particles/m3. The average abundance of microplastics in surface microlayer (73,423 particles/m3) is about 5 times higher than that of surface bulk water (13,769 particles/m3). Relatively high abundances of microplastics were found at Stations 14-17 off-shore with patchness. Two stations located in semi-enclosed bays also showed relatively high abundance like as the bulk water samples. Among four categtoxic chemicals to marine organisms. There is growing requirement for global assessment of presence and distribution of microplastics. However, there is still a big data gap to be filled for global assessment of contamination of microplastics. In this study, microplastic debris was quantitatively determined in surface bulk water (top 20 cm at 3 stations) and surface microlayer (50-60 m at 21 stations) in southern coast of South Korea in May, 2012, which is receiving Nakdong River discharge. Abundance of microplastics in bulk water sa