The marine plastic pollution levels in Southeast Asia are among the highest in the world. To develop mitigation measures in the region, we must increase our understanding of the impacts and risks of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems and their essential functions. In a collaborative effort, an interdisciplinary, international group of experts from Australia, Indonesia, Ireland, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam developed a research agenda for marine plastic pollution in Southeast Asia, synthesised current knowledge and identified areas for further research. The inductive method was used to identify 21 research questions under five nonpredefined key themes, which were grouped according to the following: (1) describe marine plastic pollution in Southeast Asia; (2) analyze its movement and fate in the region; (3) describe the biological and chemical modifications marine plastic pollution undergoes; (4) describe its economic, social, and environmental impacts; and (5) identify possible solutions for regional policies. These research priority areas highlight the importance of better understanding the fate and degradation of marine plastic pollution, as well as the impacts and risks it may pose to communities and ecosystems. Having a thorough understanding of these aspects will assist in supporting actions that are currently hindered by transborder problems, a lack of responsibility, and inaction to tackle the issue at its source within the region. As a profoundly affected region by marine plastic pollution, Southeast Asian countries provide a unique opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of both high-tech and low-tech solutions, and to share insights and actionable models with the rest of the world concerning innovative and socially inclusive changes in marine plastic governance.
The current study examines the contamination of microplastics in three greenhouse types: abandoned, normal, and simple. The findings revealed that the abundance of microplastics was found to be the highest in the abandoned greenhouse, followed by the normal greenhouse and simple greenhouse. The mean abundance of microplastic organic fertilizer and irrigation water was also high.[…]
The study examines the distribution of residual film after eight years of film mulching in mid-April 2018. Results from the study revealed that eight years of mulching significantly increased the quantity of agricultural mulch film residues in the soil. The size of residual film fragments was found to vary from 0.25 cm2 to 109 cm2,[…]
A study in Yuanmou County, Yunnan Province, investigated microplastic pollution in different land uses, including facility farmland, traditional farmland, orchard, grassland, and woodland. Results showed a significant difference in microplastic abundance and characteristics between different land use types. Facility farmlands, traditional farmlands, and orchard lands had higher microplastic abundance than grasslands and woodlands. The main[…]
The study analysed 225 soil samples from maize planting zones in northern China, revealing that long-term plastic film mulching increases microplastic pollution in agricultural soils. The abundance of microplastics was significantly higher in mulched soils (754 ± 477 items kg-1) than in non-mulched soils (376 ± 149 items kg-1). The length of time with film[…]
The study examined the relative abundances and morphological distributions of microplastics (MPs) in water, sediments, and farmland soils in the Caohai Lake region. The estuary in the study area was considered a potential sink for MP transportation. Transparent and black MPs accounted for a large proportion of MPs in the five environments, with possible sources[…]