A critical review of microplastic pollution in urban freshwater environments and legislative progress in China: recommendations and insights

Xu, Yuyao; Ka Shun Chan, Faith; He, Jun; Johnson, Matthew; Gibbins, Christopher; Kay, Paul; Stanton, Thomas; Xu, Yaoyang; Li, Gang; Feng, Meili; Paramor, Odette; Yu, Xubiao; Zhu, Yong-guan

Abstract

Freshwater systems are vitally important, supporting diversity and providing a range of ecosystem services. In China, rapid urbanization (over 800 million urban population) has led to multiple anthropogenic pressures that threaten urban freshwater environments. Microplastics ([less than] 5?mm) result from intensive production and use of plastic materials, but their effects in urban freshwater environments remain poorly understood. Rising concerns over the ecological effects of microplastics have resulted in increased attention being given to this contaminant in Chinese freshwater systems. Some studies provide quantitative data on contamination loads, but in general relevant knowledge in freshwater environment remains narrow in China, and lacking adequate understanding of threshold levels for detrimental effects. Notably, non-standardized sample collection and processing techniques for point and non-point sources have hindered comparisons of contamination loads and associated risk. Meanwhile, legislative frameworks for managing microplastics in China remain in their infancy. This manuscript critically reviews what is known of the nature and magnitude of microplastic pollution in Chinese freshwater environments, and summarizes relevant Chinese legislation. It provides recommendations for improving the legislative framework in China and identifies research gaps that need to be addressed to improve management and regulatory strategies for dealing with microplastic pollution in Chinese urban freshwater environments.

Citation

Xu, Y., Ka Shun Chan, F., He, J., Johnson, M., Gibbins, C., Kay, P., …Zhu, Y. (2021). A critical review of microplastic pollution in urban freshwater environments and legislative progress in China: recommendations and insights. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 51(22), 2637-2680. https://doi.org/10.1080/10643389.2020.1801308

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 23, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Aug 6, 2020
• Publication Date: 2021
• Deposit Date: Aug 20, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 7, 2021
• Journal: Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology
• Print ISSN: 1064-3389
• Electronic ISSN: 1547-6537
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Open
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 51
• Issue: 22
• Pages: 2637-2680
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10643389.2020.1801308
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/4844623
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10643389.2020.1801308
• Additional Information: This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology on 4/8/2020, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/10643389.2020.1801308