Baseline assessment of microplastic concentrations in marine and freshwater environments of a developing Southeast Asian country, Viet Nam

In aquatic environments, assessment of microplastic concentrations is increasing worldwide but environments from developing countries remain under-evaluated. Due to disparities of facilities, financial resources and human resources between countries, protocols of sampling, analysis and observations...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Marine pollution bulletin 2021-01, Vol.162, p.111870, Article 111870
Main Authors:	Strady, Emilie, Dang, Thi Ha, Dao, Thanh Duong, Dinh, Hai Ngoc, Do, Thi Thanh Dung, Duong, Thanh Nghi, Duong, Thi Thuy, Hoang, Duc An, Kieu-Le, Thuy Chung, Le, Thi Phuong Quynh, Mai, Huong, Trinh, Dang Mau, Nguyen, Quoc Hung, Tran-Nguyen, Quynh Anh, Tran, Quoc Viet, Truong, Tran Nguyen Sang, Chu, Van Hai, Vo, Van Chi
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Adaptation Anthropogenic factors Aquatic environment Bay Bays Cities Developed countries Developing countries Environmental assessment Environmental Monitoring Environmental Sciences Fibers Financial resources Freshwater Freshwater environments Geologic Sediments Human resources Humans Inland water environment Lake Lakes LDCs Microplastics Plastics Reservoir River Rivers Sediment Sediments Surface water Vietnam Water Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis
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Summary:	In aquatic environments, assessment of microplastic concentrations is increasing worldwide but environments from developing countries remain under-evaluated. Due to disparities of facilities, financial resources and human resources between countries, protocols of sampling, analysis and observations used in developed countries cannot be fully adapted in developing ones, and required specific adaptations. In Viet Nam, an adapted methodology was developed and commonly adopted by local researchers to implement a microplastic monitoring in sediments and surface waters of 21 environments (rivers, lakes, bays, beaches) of eight cities or provinces. Microplastic concentrations in surface waters varied from 0.35 to 2522 items m-3, with the lowest concentrations recorded in the bays and the highest in the rivers. Fibers dominated over fragments in most environments (from 47% to 97%). The microplastic concentrations were related to the anthropogenic pressure on the environment, pointing out the necessity in a near future to identify the local sources of microplastics. •Microplastic concentrations were measured in 21 aquatic environments of Viet Nam.•A common sampling and analytical methodology was employed.•Microplastic concentrations in surface waters varied from 0.35 to 2522 items m−3.•The lowest concentrations were in the bays and the highest in the rivers.
ISSN:	0025-326X 1879-3363