Spatial and seasonal distribution of microplastics on sandy beaches along the Hengchun Peninsula coast

• Main Authors: Mei-Chi Chen, 陳美琪
• Other Authors: Te-Hao Chen
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2018
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/m3m6wd

碩士 === 國立東華大學 === 海洋生物研究所 === 106 === Marine plastic particles (Microplastics, MPs) pollution is currently one of the world's greatest concerns. Most MPs are from the breakdown of larger plastics，and others are from plastic raw material, including “micro-beads” used as personal cosmetics and microplastic textile fiber from fabric washing.However, there is still little relevant research in Taiwan. We have wet and dry seasons in June and November 2017.Thus, the study is based on 8 sampling sites along the sandy shore in Hengchun Peninsula where is located in southern Taiwan. Techniques in the study include application of saturated salt water density separation method to extract plastic particles at first. Second, classify the particles according to shape and color with microscope. Finally, use Fourier transform attenuated total infrared spectroscopy (Attenuated Total internal Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared spectrosocopy, ATR-FTIR) to identify the chemical composition of plastic particles. The result shows that MPs are ubiquitous on the beach in Hengchun Peninsula, especially on the recreational beach. The highest percentage of MPs is fiber (97%), and white is the dominant color (57%). The quantity of MPs on Baisha beach is significantly higher than Baolisi, Houbihu, and Jialeshuei. This study also discusses the volume, shape, sorts, spatial and seasonal distribution of MPs. It can provide not only information for studies of global MPs distribution along the coast but also reference to the coastal management in Taiwan.