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Volume 4
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10.3390/microplastics4030055
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Microplastic Distribution in a Small-Scale Aquatic System with Limited Anthropogenic Influence: A Case Study in Sasebo City, Japan

by
Huiho Jeong
1,
Daigo Fukuda
1,
Ahmed Elwaleed
1,
Quynh Thi Nguyen
1,
Pyae Sone Soe
1,
Byeong Kyu Min
2,
Hyeon Seo Cho
3,
Tetsuro Agusa
1 and
Yasuhiro Ishibashi
1,*
1
Faculty of Environmental & Symbiotic Sciences, Prefectural University of Kumamoto, Tsukide 3-1-100, Higashi-Ku, Kumamoto 862-8502, Japan
2
Wando Regional Office, National Fishery Products Quality Management Service, Wando 59116, Republic of Korea
3
Department of Ocean Integrated Science, College of Fisheries & Ocean Science, Chonnam National University, 50 Daehak-Ro, Yeosu 59626, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Microplastics 2025, 4(3), 55; https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics4030055
Submission received: 21 March 2025 / Revised: 5 August 2025 / Accepted: 24 August 2025 / Published: 26 August 2025
(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Microplastics)
Versions Notes

Abstract

This study presents the first investigation into the distribution of microplastics (MPs) in Sasebo City, Japan, using principal component analysis (PCA) in conjunction with water flow velocity and salinity variables. The mean MP abundance was 82.4 ± 47.7 items/m3 (SSB1–SSB4), showing no significant difference among sampling points. The fragment-to-fiber ratio was 76:24, and polypropylene and polyethylene (each 41%) were the main polymers. Fragment abundance increased with decreasing particle size, while fibers were rare below 700 μm. PCA indicated distinct MP polymer and shape distributions corresponding to stagnant water (SSB1), high-flow conditions (SSB2 and SSB3), and seawater (SSB4). Based on the literature, the study area represents a case of a small-scale aquatic system with limited anthropogenic influence due to moderate population, short river length, efficient effluent discharge, minimal industry, good water quality, and the absence of significant spatial variation in MP abundance. The infrequent precipitation during the sampling event supports the findings of the present study as a reliable baseline for objectively assessing MP contamination. Compared to aquatic systems of varying scales and anthropogenic influence, this baseline is applicable to both small-scale and large-scale aquatic systems with significant influences. This will serve as a valuable reference for future MP studies across diverse freshwater environments.
Keywords: microplastics; small-scale freshwater; limited anthropogenic influence; flow conditions; salinity; principal component analysis; baseline data microplastics; small-scale freshwater; limited anthropogenic influence; flow conditions; salinity; principal component analysis; baseline data

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MDPI and ACS Style

Jeong, H.; Fukuda, D.; Elwaleed, A.; Nguyen, Q.T.; Soe, P.S.; Min, B.K.; Cho, H.S.; Agusa, T.; Ishibashi, Y. Microplastic Distribution in a Small-Scale Aquatic System with Limited Anthropogenic Influence: A Case Study in Sasebo City, Japan. Microplastics 2025, 4, 55. https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics4030055

AMA Style

Jeong H, Fukuda D, Elwaleed A, Nguyen QT, Soe PS, Min BK, Cho HS, Agusa T, Ishibashi Y. Microplastic Distribution in a Small-Scale Aquatic System with Limited Anthropogenic Influence: A Case Study in Sasebo City, Japan. Microplastics. 2025; 4(3):55. https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics4030055

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jeong, Huiho, Daigo Fukuda, Ahmed Elwaleed, Quynh Thi Nguyen, Pyae Sone Soe, Byeong Kyu Min, Hyeon Seo Cho, Tetsuro Agusa, and Yasuhiro Ishibashi. 2025. "Microplastic Distribution in a Small-Scale Aquatic System with Limited Anthropogenic Influence: A Case Study in Sasebo City, Japan" Microplastics 4, no. 3: 55. https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics4030055

APA Style

Jeong, H., Fukuda, D., Elwaleed, A., Nguyen, Q. T., Soe, P. S., Min, B. K., Cho, H. S., Agusa, T., & Ishibashi, Y. (2025). Microplastic Distribution in a Small-Scale Aquatic System with Limited Anthropogenic Influence: A Case Study in Sasebo City, Japan. Microplastics, 4(3), 55. https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics4030055

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