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Purpose <p>This study aims to establish the first baseline assessment of microplastic (MP) contamination in Philippine seagrass bed sediments by comparing MP abundance, characteristics, and ecological risks between an urban coastal area (Buru-un) and a rural coastal area (Tubajon) in Northern Mindanao.</p> Methods <p>Surface sediments (0–2&#xa0;cm) were collected along three transects in both sites (<i>n</i> = 3 per site). Samples were processed using alkaline digestion (10% KOH), density separation (30% NaCl), stereomicroscopic identification, and ATR-FTIR analysis for polymer verification. Ecological risks were evaluated using contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), polymeric risk (H), and pollution risk index (PRI).</p> Results <p>A total of 85 MPs were recovered, with mean densities of 73.3 ± 20 items kg⁻<sup>1</sup> dw in Buru-un (the urban site) and 115.6 ± 143 items kg⁻<sup>1</sup> dw in Tubajon (the rural site). Higher MP concentrations in Tubajon can be attributed to unregulated domestic waste, agricultural runoff, and tourism activities. Fibers dominated the Buru-un (urban) seagrass beds, while films dominated the Tubajon coastal area (rural site). Polypropylene was the most abundant polymer across both locations. Risk indices indicated a low ecological risk overall, although polymer diversity suggests potential chronic exposure to seagrass habitats.</p> Conclusions <p>Both Buru-un (urban) and Tubajon (rural) seagrass beds act as sinks for MPs, with rural areas unexpectedly exhibiting higher contamination. This baseline underscores the need for enhanced waste governance in coastal communities and lays the groundwork for future monitoring of microplastic dynamics in Philippine seagrass ecosystems.</p>

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Microplastic disparities between urban (Buru-un) and rural (Tubajon) seagrass beds of Northern Mindanao, Philippines

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月14日

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  • Aiza D. Gabriel,
  • Yee Cheng Lim,
  • Frank Paolo Jay B. Albarico,
  • Joanna Mea Celmar,
  • Chiu-Wen Chen,
  • Cheng-Di Dong,
  • Hernando P. Bacosa

摘要

Purpose

This study aims to establish the first baseline assessment of microplastic (MP) contamination in Philippine seagrass bed sediments by comparing MP abundance, characteristics, and ecological risks between an urban coastal area (Buru-un) and a rural coastal area (Tubajon) in Northern Mindanao.

Methods

Surface sediments (0–2 cm) were collected along three transects in both sites (n = 3 per site). Samples were processed using alkaline digestion (10% KOH), density separation (30% NaCl), stereomicroscopic identification, and ATR-FTIR analysis for polymer verification. Ecological risks were evaluated using contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), polymeric risk (H), and pollution risk index (PRI).

Results

A total of 85 MPs were recovered, with mean densities of 73.3 ± 20 items kg⁻1 dw in Buru-un (the urban site) and 115.6 ± 143 items kg⁻1 dw in Tubajon (the rural site). Higher MP concentrations in Tubajon can be attributed to unregulated domestic waste, agricultural runoff, and tourism activities. Fibers dominated the Buru-un (urban) seagrass beds, while films dominated the Tubajon coastal area (rural site). Polypropylene was the most abundant polymer across both locations. Risk indices indicated a low ecological risk overall, although polymer diversity suggests potential chronic exposure to seagrass habitats.

Conclusions

Both Buru-un (urban) and Tubajon (rural) seagrass beds act as sinks for MPs, with rural areas unexpectedly exhibiting higher contamination. This baseline underscores the need for enhanced waste governance in coastal communities and lays the groundwork for future monitoring of microplastic dynamics in Philippine seagrass ecosystems.