Impacts of Typhoon Haikui on the composition and diversity of microplastics in Xiamen’s coastal beaches

Zhang Chengyi; Li Xueyan; Zhang Yimeng; Huang Zipeng; Wang Tao; Liu Sha; Wu Fengrun

doi:10.12284/hyxb2025006

Volume 47 Issue 3

Mar. 2025

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Article Navigation > Haiyang Xuebao > 2025 > 47(3): 27-38

Zhang Chengyi，Li Xueyan，Zhang Yimeng, et al. Impacts of Typhoon Haikui on the composition and diversity of microplastics in Xiamen’s coastal beaches[J]. Haiyang Xuebao，2025, 47(3)：27–38 doi: 10.12284/hyxb2025006

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Impacts of Typhoon Haikui on the composition and diversity of microplastics in Xiamen’s coastal beaches

doi: 10.12284/hyxb2025006

1.
School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Xiamen University of Technology, Xiamen 361024, China
2.
School of Environment, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China
3.
State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China

Received Date: 2024-06-25
Rev Recd Date: 2024-12-02

Available Online: 2025-03-25

Publish Date: 2025-03-31

Abstract

Abstract

The dynamics of microplastic pollution in coastal zones, in the context of climate change, is a crucial global environmental issue. This study investigated and analyzed changes in microplastic abundance, composition, and diversity in beach sediments in Xiamen City before and after Typhoon Haikui. The results showed that the abundance of microplastics on the beaches in Xiamen City before Typhoon Haikui was (251.5 ± 27.9) n/kg, which significantly decreased to (127.0 ± 18.8) n/kg post-typhoon. Before and after the typhoon, the composition of microplastics on the beaches exhibited distinct variations. In particular, the abundance of smaller particles (<500 μm) significantly decreased, while the proportion of fibrous particles increased. Moreover, the typhoon event led to a general decrease in the Shannon-Wiener diversity index, while the Pielou’s evenness index increased. Based on the results of this study and previous research, it is concluded that heavy rainfall is the driving factor behind the changes in microplastic abundance and composition on Xiamen’s beaches caused by Typhoon Haikui. The impact of typhoons on the dynamics of microplastic pollution in coastal zones results from the coupling of multiple physical processes, influenced by a complex combination of factors, such as dynamic conditions, sediment physical and chemical factors, and topography. In the future, it will be necessary to conduct long-term monitoring of hydrological and meteorological data, and to carry out more in-depth, systematic, and comprehensive research on the underlying mechanisms.
- typhoon,
- coastal beaches,
- microplastic pollution,
- diversity

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