Characteristics, drivers and ecological risk assessment of microplastics in the surface water of urban rivers in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area cities - A case study of Dongguan city.

ABSTRACT

In the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), microplastic pollution in urban rivers is a prominent problem due to the developed economy and high industrial intensity. Using the Xiaohai River, Hanxi River and Dongguan Canal in Dongguan City, an important node city in the GBA, as an example, microplastic characteristics, drivers and ecological risks in the surface water of three rivers were investigated. Results showed that the average abundance of rivers in the wet period (1646.22±154.73 items/m3) was 4.7 times higher than that in the dry period (351.09±34.2 items/m3). Microplastics were mainly in the form of fragments and fibers, with a size range of 30-500 µm, and appeared transparent with white color. The microplastic polymer types PE, PP, PET and PA accounted for more than 70%. There are large differences in the characteristics of microplastic pollution during different hydrological periods. Redundancy analysis showed that the distribution of plastics, chemical materials, packaging and printing industries along the rivers dominated the differences in microplastic abundance. The electronic information industry contributed most to the composition of microplastic polymer types. The polymer hazard index, pollution load index, and potential ecological risk index for rivers indicate a medium-high risk classification or higher. Therefore, the industrial layout along the urban rivers should be rationalized, the disposal of microplastics in wastewater should be increased, and the use of green plastic products should be promoted. This study provides support for the management of microplastic pollution in urban surface water in the GBA.