First Survey of Microplastics in Gyeonggi Coastal Waters... Average 1.40 per 1㎥

Microplastic Testing

For the first time, results of microplastic investigations along the coast of Gyeonggi Province have been released.

The Gyeonggi Marine Fisheries Resources Research Institute announced on the 5th that the annual average concentration of floating microplastics along the Gyeonggi coast ranged from a minimum of 0.15 to a maximum of 3.85 pieces per 1 ton (㎥) of seawater, with an overall average of 1.40 pieces observed.

The Marine Fisheries Resources Research Institute selected five locations near Pungdo, Ipado, Gubongdo, Hwaseong Barrage, and Sihwa Barrage to continuously monitor the level of microplastic pollution in the Gyeonggi Sea. These results are based on samples collected last year and represent the first survey results since microplastic monitoring began in 2021.

Microplastics are small plastic fragments less than 5mm in size, mainly originating from plastic pieces brought in from land that gradually break down into smaller pieces over time due to weathering such as strong ultraviolet rays.

Microplastics under 5mm include a total of eight types: polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyester (PES), polyamide (PA), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyurethane (PU), and acrylic.

Among the microplastics found, three types?PS (such as Styrofoam), PP (disposable delivery containers), and PE (paper cups, plastic bags)?accounted for 98.9% of the total. By composition, the order was PS (41.4%) > PP (29.4%) > PE (28.1%) > others (1.1%).

By survey point, the area near Hwaseong Barrage showed the highest annual average concentration of microplastics at 1.80 pieces per 1㎥. The lowest concentration was near Sihwa Barrage, with 1.11 pieces per 1㎥.

Kim Bong-hyun, director of the Gyeonggi Marine Fisheries Resources Research Institute, stated, "Although official risk assessment standards for microplastics have not yet been established, we will scientifically present the need for waste management in each Gyeonggi area through continuous monitoring in the future."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.