title: Occurrence of microplastics in the coastal marine environment: First observation on sediment of China.
abstract: Microplastics in sediments from the Beibu Gulf and the coastline of China Sea were investigated to evaluate the occurrence and abundance of microplastics in China for the first time. Microplastics (<5mm) were taken from sediments by a flotation method. The number of microplastics was counted by a fluorescence microscope, an instrument that is rarely used in the detection of microplastics in sediments. This instrument led to results that were satisfactory. Compared with other sampled areas, microplastics were found in massive concentrations in China. Four types of microplastics, HDPE, PET, PE and PS, were identified. The results will provide useful background information for further investigations.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 51006, China.
authors.forename: Qiongxuan
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 51006, China. Electronic address: Jppeng@gdut.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Jinping
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.affiliation: The Belle W. Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science, Clemson University, Georgetown 29440, USA.
authors.forename: Xubiao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 51006, China.
authors.forename: Fangchaizi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 51006, China.
authors.forename: Jundong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 51006, China.
authors.forename: Fenqiang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dong
mesh_terms: D002681:China; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods; D010969:Plastics / Q000032:analysis*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D010969:Plastics; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: China; FTIR; Fluorescence microscope; Microplastics; Sediment