Nationwide Meta-Analysis of Microplastic Distribution and Risk Assessment in China's Aquatic Ecosystems, Soils, and Sediments

Abstract

Microplastic (MP) accumulation has recently become a pressing global environmental challenge. China is a major producer and consumer of plastic products, and MP pollution in China has garnered significant attention from researchers. However, accurate and comprehensive investigations of national-level MP pollution are lacking. In this study, we systematically collated a national MP pollution dataset consisting of 7766 water, soil, and sediment sampling points from 544 publicly published studies and revealed the spatiotemporal distribution and potential risks of MP pollution in China. The results indicate that the MP distribution is affected by various regional factors, such as the economic development level, population distribution, and geographical environment, exhibiting a wide range and complexity. MP concentrations in economically prosperous areas are relatively high in general, and MP pollution levels in aquatic ecosystems are generally greater than those in soil and sediment. Considering the uncertainty and lack of standard data in traditional microplastic risk assessment methods, this article underscores the urgency of developing a comprehensive big data and artificial intelligence (AI)-based regulatory framework. This work provides a large amount of accurate MP pollution data and a fresh perspective on the leveraging of AI for microplastic pollution regulation.

Keywords: Microplastics, Aquatic, soil and sediment, Pollution map, Risk assessment, Artificial intelligence