Abstract
Microplastic pollution has attracted worldwide attention. Compared with the status quo of microplastic pollution in marine environment and other major rivers and lakes, the relevant data of the Yellow River Basin is relatively poor. The abundance, types, and spatial distribution characteristics of microplastic pollution in the silts and surface water of the Yellow River Basin were reviewed. Meanwhile, the status of microplastic pollution in the national center city and Yellow River Delta wetland was discussed, and the corresponding prevention and control measures were put forward. The data collected in this study showed that the spatial distribution of microplastic pollution in silts and surface water of the Yellow River Basin increased from upstream to downstream, especially in the Yellow River Delta wetland. There are obvious differences between the types of microplastics in silt and surface water in the Yellow River Basin, which is mainly related to the materials of microplastics. Compared with similar regions in China, the microplastic pollution levels in national key cities and national wetland parks in the Yellow River Basin are in the medium to high degree, which should be paid attention to. Plastic exposure through various ways will cause serious impact on aquaculture and human health in the Yellow River beach area. To control microplastic pollution in the Yellow River Basin, it is necessary to improve the relevant production standards, laws, and regulations and improve the capacity of biodegradable microplastics and the engineering degradation capacity of plastic waste.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Data Availability
The datasets generated during and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
References
Akdogan, Z., & Guven, B. (2019). Microplastics in the environment: A critical review of current understanding and identification of future research needs. Environmental Pollution, 254, 113011. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113011
Chen, Y., Leng, Y., Liu, X., & Wang, J. (2020). Microplastic pollution in vegetable farmlands of suburb Wuhan, central China. Environmental Pollution, 257, 113449. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113449
Corinaldesi, C., Canensi, S., Carugati, L., Lo Martire, M., Marcellini, F., Nepote, E., Sabbatini, S., & Danovaro, R. (2022). Organic enrichment can increase the impact of microplastics on meiofaunal assemblages in tropical beach systems. Environmental Pollution, 292, 118415. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118415
Ding, L., Mao, R. F., Guo, X., Yang, X., Zhang, Q., & Yang, C. (2019). Microplastics in surface waters and sediments of the Wei River, in the northwest of China. Science of the Total Environment, 667, 427–434. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.02.332
Dodson, G. Z., Shotorban, A. K., Hatcher, P. G., Waggoner, D. C., Ghosal, S., & Noffke, N. (2020). Microplastic fragment and fiber contamination of beach sediments from selected sites in Virginia and North Carolina, USA. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 151, 110869. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.110869
Fan, J., Zou, L., & Zhao, G. (2021). Microplastic abundance, distribution, and composition in the surface water and sediments of the Yangtze River along Chongqing City, China. Journal of Soils and Sediments, 21, 1840–1851. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-021-02902-5
Gong, X. L., Zhang, D. Y., & Pan, X. L. (2020). Pollution and characterization of microplastics in the sediments of the Yellow River. Arid Zone Research, 37, 790–798. https://doi.org/10.13866/j.azr.2020.03.29
Han, M., Niu, X., Tang, M., Zhang, B. T., Wang, G., Yue, W., Kong, X., & Zhu, J. (2020). Distribution of microplastics in surface water of the lower Yellow River near estuary. Science of the Total Environment, 707, 135601. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135601
Jian, M., Zhang, Y., Yang, W., Zhou, L., Liu, S., & Xu, E. G. (2020). Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in China’s largest freshwater lake system. Chemosphere, 261, 128186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128186
Jiang, Y., Yang, F., Kazmi, S. S. U. H., Zhao, Y., Chen, M., & Wang, J. (2022). A review of microplastic pollution in seawater, sediments and organisms of the Chinese coastal and marginal seas. Chemosphere, 286, 131677. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131677
Law, K. L. (2017). Plastics in the marine environment. Annual Review of Marine Science, 9, 205–229. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-marine-010816-060409
Lechner, A., Keckeis, H., Lumesberger-Loisl, F., Zens, B., Krusch, R., Tritthart, M., Glas, M., & Schludermann, E. (2014). The Danube so colourful: A potpourri of plastic litter outnumbers fish larvae in Europe’s second largest river. Environmental Pollution, 188, 177–181. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2014.02.006
Leslie, H. A., van Velzen, M. J. M., Brandsma, S. H., Vethaak, A. D., Garcia-Vallejo, J. J., & Lamoree, M. H. (2022). Discovery and quantification of plastic particle pollution in human blood. Environment International, 163, 107199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2022.107199
Li, A. F., Li, F. X., Qiu, J. B., Yan, C., Liu, C., Meng, F. P., Li, Z. Y., Li, J., Lang, Y. H., & Hu, H. (2019). Pollution status, biological toxicity and control strategy of microplastics in water environments: A review. Periodical of Ocean University of China, 49, 88–100.
Li, Y., Lu, Z., Zheng, H., Wang, J., & Chen, C. (2020). Microplastics in surface water and sediments of Chongming Island in the Yangtze Estuary. China. Environmental Sciences Europe, 32, 15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-020-0297-7
Li, J., Sun, W., Li, M., & Meng, L. (2021). Coupling coordination degree of production, living and ecological spaces and its influencing factors in the Yellow River Basin. Journal of Cleaner Production, 298, 126803. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126803
Lim, B. K. H., & San Thian, E. (2022). Biodegradation of polymers in managing plastic waste-A review. Science of the Total Environment, 813, 151880. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151880
Limonta, G., Mancia, A., Benkhalqui, A., Bertolucci, C., Abelli, L., Fossi, M. C., & Panti, C. (2019). Microplastics induce transcriptional changes, immune response and behavioral alterations in adult zebrafish. Scientific Reports, 9, 15775. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-52292-5
Liu, E. K., He, W. Q., & Yan, C. R. (2014). ‘White revolution’ to ‘white pollution’-agricultural plastic film mulch in China. Environmental Research Letters, 9, 091001. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/9/9/091001
Liu, K., Feng, Z. H., Fang, T., Xu, J. T., & Ye, H. D. (2017). Evaluation of three extraction methods for microplastics in intertidal sediments. Journal of Hydroecology, 38, 36–42.
Liu, Y., Zhang, J. D., Cai, C. Y., He, Y., Chen, L. Y., Xiong, X., Huang, H. J., Tao, S., & Liu, W. X. (2020). Occurrence and characteristics of microplastics in the Haihe River: An investigation of a seagoing river flowing through a megacity in northern China. Environmental Pollution, 262, 114261. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114261
Liu, R. P., Li, Z. Z., Liu, F., Dong, Y., Jiao, J. G., Sun, P. P., & Rm, E. W. (2021). Microplastic pollution in Yellow River, China: Current status and research progress of biotoxicological effects. China Geology, 4, 585–592. https://doi.org/10.31035/cg2021081
Liu, C. J., Luo, Z. X., Yan, Y., Lin, H. R., Hu, G. R., & Yu, R. L. (2022). Occurrence characteristics of microplastics in mangrove sediments in the Jiulong River estuary and the association with heavy metals. Environmental Science, 43, 239–246. https://doi.org/10.13227/j.hjkx.202104162
Lu, D., & Sun, D. (2019). Development and management tasks of the Yellow River Basin: A preliminary understanding and suggestion. Acta Geographica Sinica, 74, 2431–2436. https://doi.org/10.11821/dlxb201912001
Luan, X., Cui, X., Zhang, L., Chen, X., Li, X., Feng, X., Chen, L., Liu, W., & Cui, Z. (2021). Dynamic material flow analysis of plastics in China from 1950 to 2050. Journal of Cleaner Production, 327, 129492. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.129492
Luo, W., Su, L., Craig, N. J., Du, F., Wu, C., & Shi, H. (2019). Comparison of microplastic pollution in different water bodies from urban creeks to coastal waters. Environmental Pollution, 246, 174–182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2018.11.081
Mak, C. W., Yeung, K.C.-F., & Chan, K. M. (2019). Acute toxic effects of polyethylene microplastic on adult zebrafish. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 182, 109442. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.109442
Mani, T., Hauk, A., Walter, U., & Burkhardt-Holm, P. (2015). Microplastics profile along the Rhine River. Scientific Reports, 5, 17988. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep17988
McCormick, A., Hoellein, T. J., Mason, S. A., Schluep, J., & Kelly, J. J. (2014). Microplastic is an abundant and distinct microbial habitat in an urban river. Environmental Science & Technology, 48, 11863–11871. https://doi.org/10.1021/es503610r
Najafi, S. K. (2013). Use of recycled plastics in wood plastic composites - A review. Waste Management, 33, 1898–1905. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2013.05.017
Niu, S., Wang, X., Rao, Z., & Zhan, N. (2021). Microplastics present in sediments of Yushan River: A case study for urban tributary of the Yangtze River. Soil & Sediment Contamination, 30, 314–330. https://doi.org/10.1080/15320383.2020.1841731
Pan, Z., Sun, Y., Liu, Q., Lin, C., Sun, X., He, Q., Zhou, K., & Lin, H. (2020). Riverine microplastic pollution matters: A case study in the Zhangjiang River of Southeastern China. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 159, 111516. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111516
Quinn, B., Murphy, F., & Ewins, C. (2017). Validation of density separation for the rapid recovery of microplastics from sediment. Analytical Methods, 9, 1491–1498. https://doi.org/10.1039/c6ay02542k
Ren, B., & Du, Y. (2021). Coupling coordination of economic growth, industrial development and ecology in the Yellow River Basin. China Population Resources and Environment, 31, 119–129.
Ren, P., Dou, M., Wang, C., Li, G., & Jia, R. (2020). Abundance and removal characteristics of microplastics at a wastewater treatment plant in Zhengzhou. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 27, 36295–36305. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-09611-5
Roohi, B. K., Kuddus, M., Zaheer, M. R., Zia, Q., Khan, M. F., Ashraf, G. M., Gupta, A., & Aliev, G. (2017). Microbial enzymatic degradation of biodegradable plastics. Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, 18, 429–440. https://doi.org/10.2174/1389201018666170523165742
Rujnic-Sokele, M., & Pilipovic, A. (2017). Challenges and opportunities of biodegradable plastics: A mini review. Waste Management & Research, 35, 132–140. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242x16683272
Saboor, F. H., Hadian-Ghazvini, S., & Torkashvand, M. (2022). Microplastics in aquatic environments: Recent advances in separation techniques. Periodica Polytechnica-Chemical Engineering, 66, 167–181. https://doi.org/10.3311/PPch.18930
Song, D., Wang, X., Shang, Y., Pang, H., Song, X., Zhuang, Y., Guo, H., Zhang, Q., & Zhang, J. (2022). characteristics of microplastic pollution in sediments of Zhengzhou urban rivers. Periodical of Ocean University of China, 52, 99–105.
Su, L., Xue, Y., Li, L., Yang, D., Kolandhasamy, P., Li, D., & Shi, H. (2016). Microplastics in Taihu Lake, China. Environmental Pollution, 216, 711–719. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2016.06.036
Sun, Y. W., Jia, L.L. (2017). Research on the correlation between government favoritism and urban economic development-Taking the national central city as an example. Proceedings of 2017 International Conference on Public Administration (12th) & International Symposium on West African Studies (1st), 2, 116–125.
Vermaire, J. C., Pomeroy, C., Herczegh, S. M., Haggart, O., & Murphy, M. (2017). Microplastic abundance and distribution in the open water and sediment of the Ottawa River, Canada, and its tributaries. Facets, 2, 301–314. https://doi.org/10.1139/facets-2016-0070
Wan, Z., Wang, C., Zhou, J., Shen, M., Wang, X., Fu, Z., & Jin, Y. (2019). Effects of polystyrene microplastics on the composition of the microbiome and metabolism in larval zebrafish. Chemosphere, 217, 646–658. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.11.070
Wang, C., Xing, R., Sun, M., Ling, W., Shi, W., Cui, S., & An, L. (2020a). Microplastics profile in a typical urban river in Beijing. Science of the Total Environment, 743, 140708. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140708
Wang, S., Zhang, C., Pan, Z., Sun, D., Zhou, A., Xie, S., Wang, J., & Zou, J. (2020b). Microplastics in wild freshwater fish of different feeding habits from Beijiang and Pearl River Delta regions, south China. Chemosphere, 258, 127345. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127345
Wang, L. L. (2019). Study on toxicological effects of pvc microplastics juvenile Yellow River Carp. Xinxiang: Henan Normal University, 25–40.
Wu, N., Zhang, Y., Zhang, X., Zhao, Z., He, J., Li, W., Ma, Y., & Niu, Z. (2019). Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in the surface water and sediment of two typical estuaries in Bohai Bay, China. Environmental Science-Processes & Impacts, 21, 1143–1152. https://doi.org/10.1039/c9em00148d
Wu, F., Zhang, F., Liu, X. J., Xie, L. G., & Cui, J. G. (2022). Study on the characteristics of microplastics pollution in urban water sediments after comprehensive regulation of rivers: Taking the Taiyuan section of Fenhe River as an example. Environmental Pollution & Control, 44, 61–66. https://doi.org/10.15985/j.cnki.1001-3865.2022.01.011
Xiong, X., Wu, C., Elser, J. J., Mei, Z., & Hao, Y. (2019). Occurrence and fate of microplastic debris in middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River - From inland to the sea. Science of the Total Environment, 659, 66–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.12.313
Yan, M., Nie, H., Xu, K., He, Y., Hu, Y., Huang, Y., & Wang, J. (2019). Microplastic abundance, distribution and composition in the Pearl River along Guangzhou City and Pearl River estuary, China. Chemosphere, 217, 879–886. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.11.093
Yan, M., Yang, J., Sun, H., Liu, C., & Wang, L. (2022a). Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in sediments of a man-made lake receiving reclaimed water. Science of the Total Environment, 813, 152430. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152430
Yan, Z., Liu, Y., Zhang, T., Zhang, F., Ren, H., & Zhang, Y. (2022b). Analysis of microplastics in human feces reveals a correlation between fecal microplastics and inflammatory bowel disease status. Environmental Science & Technology, 56, 414–421. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.1c03924
Yang, Z., Li, S., Ma, S., Liu, P., Peng, D., Ouyang, Z., & Guo, X. (2021). Characteristics and removal efficiency of microplastics in sewage treatment plant of Xi’an City, northwest China. Science of the Total Environment, 771, 145377. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145377
Yu, J. X., & Liu, T. Q. (2012). Preparation and testing of polylactic acid ultra thin fiber membrane as the sustained release material. Advanced Materials Research, 538–541, 68–71. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.538-541.68
Yu, L., Zhang, J. D., Liu, Y., Chen, L. Y., Tao, S., & Liu, W. X. (2021). Distribution characteristics of microplastics in agricultural soils from the largest vegetable production base in China. Science of the Total Environment, 756, 143860. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143860
Yuan, W., Liu, X., Wang, W., Di, M., & Wang, J. (2019). Microplastic abundance, distribution and composition in water, sediments, and wild fish from Poyang Lake, China. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 170, 180–187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.11.126
Yuan, H. Y., Hou, L., Liang, Q. B., Li, J. C., & Ren, J. (2021). Correlation between microplastics pollution and eutrophication in the near shore waters of Dianchi Lake. Environmental Science, 42, 3166–3175. https://doi.org/10.13227/j.hjkx.202012100
Yue, J. J., Zhao, S., Cheng, H. D., Duan, X. Y., Shi, H. H., Wang, L., & Duan, Z. H. (2021). Distribution of micro-plastics in the soil covered by different vegetation in Yellow River Delta wetland. Environmental Science, 42, 204–210. https://doi.org/10.13227/j.hjkx.202005030
Zhang, K., Su, J., Xiong, X., Wu, X., Wu, C., & Liu, J. (2016). Microplastic pollution of lakeshore sediments from remote lakes in Tibet plateau, China. Environmental Pollution, 219, 450–455. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2016.05.048
Zhang, S., Zhang, G., & Ju, H. (2020). The spatial pattern and influencing factors of tourism development in the Yellow River Basin of China. PLoS ONE, 15, e0242029. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0242029
Zhang, Y., Liang, J., Zeng, G., Tang, W., Lu, Y., Luo, Y., Xing, W., Tang, N., Ye, S., Li, X., & Huang, W. (2020). How climate change and eutrophication interact with microplastic pollution and sediment resuspension in shallow lakes: A review. Science of the Total Environment, 705, 135979. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135979
Zhang, J., Wang, L., Trasande, L., & Kannan, K. (2021). Occurrence of polyethylene terephthalate and polycarbonate microplastics in infant and adult feces. Environmental Science & Technology Letters, 8, 989–994. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.estlett.1c00559
Funding
This research was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation grant number 32102819.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
All authors made substantial contributions in conceptualizing drafting, developing, and reviewing the manuscript.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare no competing interests.
Additional information
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Sun, ZL., Sun, LQ. & Wang, B. Microplastic Pollution in the Yellow River Basin: Current Status and Control Strategy. Water Air Soil Pollut 234, 30 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-022-06038-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-022-06038-1