Assessment of microplastic content in water, sediment and two marine species in the estuary and coastal area of Can Gio

Abstract

Microplastics are a relatively new sort of pollutant, but they have gained a lot of attention due to their widespread and persistent presence in aquatic ecosystems. This study examined a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, HCMC's Can Gio Mangrove Forest. The estuaries have been chosen to evaluate the accumulated microplastic content in surface water, column water, bed sediments, and two specific species (oyster and mudskipper). Dong Dinh Estuary, Dong Hoa Estuary, Soai Rap Estuary, and Long Hoa River are the selected estuaries. Its connected waterways receive waste from the city center and from the Eastern Sea. The microplastic concentration in surface water (1.43±0.5 - 3.48±0.92 items/L), column water (1.83±0.06 - 6.80 ± 4.10 items/L), bed sediment (46.67±23.09 - 290±81.85 items/kg), oyster (Saccostrea) (1.5±0.96 - 1.8±0.38 items/individual), and mudskipper (Periophthalmodon schlosseri) (0.2±0.35 - 0.52±0.36 items/individual). The dry season had higher levels of microplastic abundance than the wet season. In comparison to urban rivers and other habitats, the level of microplastic contamination in the estuary of Can Gio's mangrove forest was significantly lower. The main shapes of microplastics are fibers (62.57%) and fragments (35.57%). FTIR identified the composition as PP (45.45%) and PE (18.18%). The size distribution of microplastics is relatively consistent across the ranges of 0.3 mm, 0.3-0.5 mm, 0.5-1 mm, and 1-5 mm. Microplastic pollution in the Can Gio Estuary's surface water, column water, and sediment might help develop microplastic reduction techniques. Microplastics in oysters and mudskippers are attentive. Our research highlights microplastic contamination in river life