Microplastic in Beach Sediments

Research is about the distribution of microplastic along the northern coast of Taiwan, but also about the spatial and temporal variations in beaches.

Important Findings

• All beaches along the north coast are polluted with microplastic
• Level of pollution is highest at the north and lower at the north-west and north-east coast. The reason are very likely ocean currents.
• Beaches can be polluted with more than 90 microplastic particles per square meter.
• After storm events amount of microplastic can increase up to four times from non-storm levels.

Publications

Bancin, L.J., Walther, B.A., Lee, Y.-C., Kunz, A.* (2019): Two-dimensional distribution and abundance of micro- and mesoplastic pollution in the surface sediment of Xialiao Beach, New Taipei City, Taiwan. Marine Pollution Bulletin 140: 75-85.

Walther, B.A., Kunz, A., Hu, C.-S. (2018). Type and quantity of coastal debris pollution in Taiwan: A 12-year nationwide assessment using citizen science data. Marine Pollution Bulletin 135: 862-872.

Kunz, A.*, Walther, B.A., Löwemark, L., Lee, Y.-C. (2016). Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan. Marine Pollution Bulletin 111 (1), 126-135.

Media

無所不在的海洋微塑膠入侵記 Article about the problem of microplastic pollution in Taiwan in the newsmagazine  報導者 The Reporter. Published on 9. February 2017.