Baseline Study on Microplastic Distribution in the Open Surface Waters of the Korean Southwest Sea

• Published in: Water
• Main Authors: Byeong Kyu Min, Hui Ho Jeong, Mi Jo Ju, Uni Ko, Keum Hyang Dae, Hyun Jung Kim, Chon Rae Cho, Ho Young Soh, Yasuhiro Ishibashi, Hyeon Seo Cho
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2023
• Subjects: microplastics; Korean Southwest Sea; seawater; microplastic distribution; high-density plastic; low-density plastics; Hydraulic engineering; TC1-978; Water supply for domestic and industrial purposes; TD201-500; Arctic; Central Basin; Pacific
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3390/w15132393; https://doaj.org/article/049f86f171784017ac4ca0dea123ae97

This study investigated microplastic distribution characteristics by collecting surface seawater from sea areas to the south of Jeju Island in August 2020. The average microplastic abundance was 0.46 ± 0.27 particles/L (n = 23), and PE had a high ratio, averaging 53%. The levels of fragments and fib...