Mangroves are a unique and important type of coastal wetlands in the tropical and subtropical zones worldwide. The abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics in the mangrove sediments however are still poorly understood. The present study aimed to illustrate the characteristics, abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics in different mangrove sediments along the south-eastern coastal zones of China. Microplastic samples (roughly 10-20 kg fresh sediments at each site) taken from 21 sampling sites showed various shapes, colors, composition, sizes, surface morphology, abundance and strong spatial heterogeneity. Five different shapes of microplastics with a variety of colors were detected in the mangrove sediments, among which foams (74.6%) and fibers (14.0%) were the dominant types. The polymer composition of the microplastics identified based on the FT-IR and μ-FTIR covered polystyrene (75.2%), polypropylene (11.7%), rayon (4.6%), polyester (3.4%), polyethylene (2.8%) and acrylic (2.4%). The observed microplastics with a size range of less than 2 mm made up 58.6% of the total microplastic particles. The microplastics had various surface morphologies, exhibiting complicated weathered surfaces. The abundance of microplastics showed a substantial variation among the sampling sites, ranging from 8.3 to 5738.3 items kg (dry sediment). Altogether, our study provides a better understanding of microplastic pollution status and prevention policy-making of mangrove habitats in China.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.134807 | DOI Listing |
Sci Total Environ
January 2025
College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China. Electronic address:
Mangrove ecosystem has attracted global attention as a hotspot for mercury (Hg) methylation. Although numerous biotic and abiotic parameters have been reported to influence methylmercury (MeHg) production in sediments, the key factors determining the elevated MeHg levels in mangrove wetlands have not been well addressed. In this study, Hg levels in the sediments from different habitats (mudflats, mangrove fringe, and mangrove interior) in the Futian mangrove wetland were investigated, aiming to characterize the predominant factors affecting the MeHg production and distinguish the key microbial taxa responsible for Hg methylation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnviron Pollut
January 2025
Center of Advanced Technology for the Environment (CATE), Graduate School of Agriculture, Ehime University, 3-5-7 Tarumi, Matsuyama 790-8566, Japan; Center for Marine Environmental Studies (CMES), Ehime University, 2-5 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama 790-8577, Japan. Electronic address:
The first comprehensive analysis of halogenated organic compounds (HOCs), including 209 full congeners of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 26 organochlorinated pesticides (OCPs), 41 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and four other brominated flame retardants (BFRs), was performed on surface mangrove sediments from Bintan Island, Province of the Riau Archipelago, Indonesia. Among the measured HOC contaminants, the mean concentration of ∑PCBs (2.3±0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Hazard Mater
January 2025
Department of Biology, College of Science, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong Province 515063, PR China. Electronic address:
Anthropogenic activities have led to serious contamination of halogenated organic pollutants (HOPs), such as PCBs, PBDEs, and HBCDs, in the mangrove wetland. Biodegradation of HOPs is generally driven by environmental microorganisms harboring dehalogenase genes. However, little is known if HOPs can affect the distributions of HOPs-degrading bacteria and dehalogenase genes in the mangrove wetlands.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Rep
January 2025
Department of Environmental Studies and Geology, Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA, USA.
Geologic records of tropical cyclones (TCs) in low-energy, back-barrier environments are established by identifying marine sediments via their allochthonous biogeochemical signal. These records have the potential to reconstruct TC intensity and frequency through time. However, modern analog studies are needed to understand which biogeochemical indicators of overwash sediments are best preserved and how post-depositional changes may affect their preservation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicroorganisms
December 2024
Pinglu Canal and Beibu Gulf Coastal Ecosystem Observation and Research Station of Guangxi, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Marine Biodiversity Conservation, College of Marine Sciences, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou 535011, China.
Mangroves, as blue carbon reservoirs, provide a unique habitat for supporting a variety of microorganisms. Among these, bacteria play crucial roles in the biogeochemical processes of mangrove sediments. However, little is known about their community composition, spatial distribution patterns, and environmental driving factors, particularly across the large geographical scales of mangrove wetlands.
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