Microplastics in Hong Kong's marine waters : Impact of rainfall and Pearl River discharge

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

2 Scopus Citations
View graph of relations

Author(s)

  • Michael C.Y. Cheng
  • Mengyang Liu
  • Yue Ma
  • Hoi Shan Chau
  • Luoluo Chen
  • Xiangrong Xu
  • Wai Thoe
  • Sunny W.C. Sun
  • Ron R. Yang
  • Paul K.S. Lam

Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Article number116635
Journal / PublicationMarine Pollution Bulletin
Volume205
Online published26 Jun 2024
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2024

Abstract

This study provided a systematic investigation of microplastics in Hong Kong's surface marine waters during the pandemic from 2019 to 2021. Microplastics (2.07 ± 4.00 particles/m3) exhibited significant temporal variations with higher abundance in the wet season, without a consistent trend after the mandatory mask-wearing requirement was announced. The impact of pandemic restrictions on microplastic distribution was found to be relatively minor. However, significant correlations between microplastic abundances and rainfall highlighted the substantial contribution of local emissions through surface runoff. Notably, sites in closer proximity to the Pearl River Delta exhibited higher microplastic abundances, indicating their association with emission sources. The influence of rainfall and adverse weather on marine microplastic loads demonstrated different sensitivities among various locations but can generally last for one month. These results revealed the impact of seasonal rainfall on coastal microplastics and emphasized the need for efforts to reduce microplastic discharge from land-based sources. © 2024 Elsevier Ltd.

Research Area(s)

  • Coastal waters, Plastic debris, Precipitation, Riverine input, Seasonal trend

Citation Format(s)

Microplastics in Hong Kong's marine waters: Impact of rainfall and Pearl River discharge. / Zhang, Kai; Cheng, Michael C.Y.; Liu, Mengyang et al.
In: Marine Pollution Bulletin, Vol. 205, 116635, 08.2024.

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review