May 2023
·
5 Reads
Microplastics are considered emerging pollutants. Their potential risks to the fragile ecosystem of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau should not be ignored. In order to determine the types, distribution, and morphological characteristics of microplastics in the water and sediments of Qinghai Lake, 26 water and sediment samples were characterized. A stereoscopic microscope and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy were used. Furthermore, the source and distribution of the microplastics were identified using the geographic information system (GIS) kriging interpolation method. Our results demonstrated that the microplastics present in the water and sediments of Qinghai Lake were mainly composed of polyethene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). Considering that packaging materials and fibres from fishery products contain PE and PP, it is likely that they are the primary source of microplastics in Qinghai Lake. As a result, the most elevated levels are found at the Lake’s centre. Concerning sediments, the highest amount was found at the Erlang Sword Scenic Site, which may display most of the tourism activities in the area. These results further indicate that tourism activities may be the primary source of microplastics in Qinghai Lake. In order to ensure the sustainable development of the Qinghai Lake Basin, it is essential to improve the management of this tourist destination.KeywordsPollutant source monitoringPolymer type detectionPollution characteristicsSpatial distribution