Microplastics in the surface waters of the South China sea and the western Pacific Ocean: Different size classes reflecting various sources and transport

Potential threats of microplastics and pathogenic bacteria to the immune system of the mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis

As one of the main components of marine pollution, microplastics (MPs) inevitably enter the mussel aquaculture environment. At the same time, pathogenic bacteria, especially pathogens such as Vibrio, can cause illness outbreaks, leading to large-scale death of mussels. The potential harm of MPs and pathogenic bacteria to bivalve remains unclear. This study designed two experiments (1) mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) were exposed to 100 particles/L or 1,000 particles/L polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA, 17.01 ± 6.74 μm) MPs and 1 × 107 CFU/mL Vibrio parahaemolyticus at the same time (14 days), and (2) mussels were exposed to 100 particles/L or 1,000 particles/L MPs for a long time (30 days) and then exposed to 1 × 107 CFU/mL V. parahaemolyticus to explore the effects of these two stresses on the mussel immune system. The results showed that after the combined exposure of V. parahaemolyticus and MPs, the lysosomal membrane stability of hemocytes decreased, lysozyme activity was inhibited, and hemocytes were induced to produce more lectins and defensins to fight pathogenic invasion. Long-term exposure to MPs caused a large amount of energy consumption in mussels, inhibited most of the functions of humoral immunity, increased the risk of mussel infection with pathogenic bacteria, and negatively affected mussel condition factor, the number of hemocytes, and the number of byssuses. Mussels may allocate more energy to deal with MPs and pathogenic bacterial infections rather than for growth. Above all, MPs exposure can affect mussel immune function or reduce its stress resistance, which in turn has an impact on mollusk farming.

Microplastics in multi-environmental compartments: Research advances, media, and global management scenarios

During the past decades, microplastics (MPs) have become an emerging concern due to their persistence and potential environmental threat. MP pollution has become so drastic that it has been found in the human food chain, breast milk, polar regions, and even the Himalayan basin, lake, etc. Inflammation, pulmonary hypertension, vascular occlusions, increased coagulability and blood cell cytotoxicity, disruption of immune function, neurotoxicity, and neurodegenerative diseases can all be brought on by severe microplastic exposure. Although many MPs studies have been performed on single environmental compartments, MPs in multi-environmental compartments have yet to be explored fully. This review aims to summarize the muti-environmental media, detection tools, and global management scenarios of MPs. The study revealed that MPs could significantly alter C flow through the soil-plant system, the structure and metabolic status of the microbial community, soil pH value, biomass of plant shoots and roots, chlorophyll, leaf C and N contents, and root N contents. This review reveals that MPs may negatively affect many C-dependent soil functions. Different methods have been developed to detect the MPs from these various environmental sources, including microscopic observation, density separation, Raman, and FT-IR analysis. Several articles have focused on MPs in individual environmental sources with a developed evaluation technique. This review revealed the extensive impacts of MPs on soil-plant systems, microbial communities, and soil functions, especially on water, suggesting possible disturbances to vital ecological processes. Furthermore, the broad range of detection methods explored emphasizes the significance of reliable analytical techniques in precisely evaluating levels of MP contamination in various environmental media. This paper critically discusses MPs' sources, occurrences, and global management scenarios in all possible environmental media and ecological health impacts. Future research opportunities and required sustainable strategies have also been suggested from Bangladesh and international perspectives based on challenges faced due to MP's pollution.

Assessing Microplastics and Nanoparticles in the Surface Seawater of Venice Lagoon-Part I: Methodology of Research

Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) both represent significant concerns in environmental sciences. This paper aims to develop a convenient and efficient methodology for the detection and measurement of MPs and nanoparticles from surface seawater and to apply it to the water samples collected from the UNESCO site of Venice and its lagoon, more precisely in the Venice-Lido Port Inlet, Grand Canal under Rialto Bridge, and Saint Marc basin. In this study, MPs were analyzed through optical microscopy for their relative abundance and characterized based on their color, shape, and size classes, while the concentration and the mean of nanoparticles were estimated via the Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis technique. Bulk seawater sampling, combined with filtration through a cascade of stainless-steel sieves and subsequent digestion, facilitates the detection of MPs of relatively small sizes (size classes distribution: >1 mm, 1000-250 μm, 250-125 μm, 125-90 μm, and 90-32 μm), similar to the size of MPs ingested by marine invertebrates and fishes. A protocol for minimizing interference from non-plastic nanoparticles through evaporation, digestion, and filtration processes was proposed to enrich the sample for NPs. The findings contribute to the understanding of the extent and characteristics of MPs and nanoparticle pollution in the Venice Lagoon seawater, highlighting the potential environmental risks associated with these pollutants and the need for coordinated approaches to mitigate them. This article is based on scientific research carried out within the framework of the H2020 In-No-Plastic-Innovative approaches towards prevention, removal and reuse of marine plastic litter project (G.A. ID no. 101000612).

Influence of monsoon seasonality and tidal cycle on microplastics presence and distribution in the Upper Gulf of Thailand

Southeast Asian countries are recognized as significant contributors to the discharge of abundant plastic waste into the ocean. In this study, we conducted neuston net surveys on Si Chang Island of the Gulf of Thailand, a coral reef conservation area, to determine the presence of microplastic (MP) pollution. The survey, conducted during the wet (southwesterly monsoon), transition, and dry seasons (northeasterly monsoon), revealed that the MP abundance was in the range of 0.02-42.46 particles m-3. The precipitation, wind, and current direction induced by monsoons influenced the abundance and distribution of MP, presenting a significant seasonality. The cluster analysis for colors and polymer types of MPs suggested that the origin of plastic particles is diverse. Based on our results, a proposal for the generation, sources, and pathways for MPs in the Gulf of Thailand is presented: 1) plastic wastes exposed to strong UV light during the dry season get fragmented around the river, and 2) heavy rains wash away the particles during the wet season. This proposal is applicable to tropical regions, including the Gulf of Thailand. Therefore, this paper concluded that ocean currents induced by monsoons and the unique climate, resulting in the generation of MPs on land, increase MP presence and distribution in the ocean surrounding Southeast Asia countries. Furthermore, coral reef ecosystems can be particularly threatened by MPs in these areas. So, an increase in MP monitoring on coral ecosystems from Thailand and the world is highly recommended.

Biofragmentation of Polystyrene Microplastics: A Silent Process Performed by Chironomus sancticaroli Larvae

Polystyrene (PS) is one of the main synthetic polymers produced around the world, and it is present in the composition of a wide variety of single-use objects. When released into the environment, these materials are degraded by environmental factors, resulting in microplastics. We investigated the ability of Chironomus sancticaroli (Diptera, Chironomidae) to promote the fragmentation of PS microspheres (24.5 ± 2.9 μm) and the toxic effects associated with exposure to this polymer. C. sancticaroli larvae were exposed to 3 different concentrations of PS (67.5, 135, and 270 particles g-1 of dry sediment) for 144 h. Significant lethality was observed only at the highest concentration. A significant reduction in PS particle size as well as evidence of deterioration on the surface of the spheres, such as grooves and cracks, was observed. In addition, changes in oxidative stress biomarkers (SOD, CAT, MDA, and GST) were also observed. This is the first study to report the ability of Chironomus sp. to promote the biofragmentation of microplastics. The information obtained demonstrates that the macroinvertebrate community can play a key role in the degradation of plastic particles present in the sediment of freshwater environments and can also be threatened by such particle pollution.

Integrating aggregate exposure pathway and adverse outcome pathway for micro/nanoplastics: A review on exposure, toxicokinetics, and toxicity studies

Micro/nanoplastics (MNPs) have emerged as a significant environmental concern due to their widespread distribution and potential adverse effects on human health and the environment. In this study, to integrate exposure and toxicity pathways of MNPs, a comprehensive review of the occurrence, toxicokinetics (absorption, distribution, and excretion [ADE]), and toxicity of MNPs were investigated using the aggregate exposure pathway (AEP) and adverse outcome pathway (AOP) frameworks. Eighty-five papers were selected: 34 papers were on detecting MNPs in environmental samples, 38 papers were on the ADE of MNPs in humans and fish, and 36 papers were related to MNPs toxicity using experimental models. This review not only summarizes individual studies but also presents a preliminary AEP-AOP framework. This framework offers a comprehensive overview of pathways, enabling a clearer visualization of intricate processes spanning from environmental media, absorption, distribution, and molecular effects to adverse outcomes. Overall, this review emphasizes the importance of integrating exposure and toxicity pathways of MNPs by utilizing AEP-AOP to comprehensively understand their impacts on human and ecological organisms. The findings contribute to highlighting the need for further research to fill the existing knowledge gaps in this field and the development of more effective strategies for the safe management of MNPs.

MicroRaman spectroscopy detects the presence of microplastics in human urine and kidney tissue

There is a growing concern within the medical community about the potential burden of microplastics on human organs and tissues. In this study, we investigated by microRaman spectroscopy the presence of microplastics in human kidneys and urine. Moreover, an open-access software was developed and validated for the project, which enabled the comparison between the investigated spectra and a self-created spectral database, thus enhancing the ability to characterize polymers and pigments in biological matrices. Healthy portions of ten kidneys obtained from nephrectomies, as well as ten urine samples from healthy donors were analyzed: 26 particles in both kidney and urine samples were identified, with sizes ranging from 3 to 13 μm in urine and from 1 to 29 μm in kidneys. The most frequently determined polymers are polyethylene and polystyrene, while the most common pigments are hematite and Cu-phthalocyanine. This preclinical study proves the presence of microplastics in renal tissues and confirms their presence in urine, providing the first evidence of kidney microplastics deposition in humans.

Detecting small microplastics down to 1.3 μm using large area ATR-FTIR

Large area attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (LAATR-FTIR) is introduced as a novel technique for detecting small microplastics (MPs) down to 1.3 μm. Two different LAATR units, one with a zinc selenide (ZnSe) and one with a germanium (Ge) crystal, were used to detect reference MPs < 20 μm, and MPs in marine water samples, and compared with μ-FTIR in transmission mode. The LAATR units performed well in identifying small MPs down to 1.3 μm. However, they were poorly suited for large MPs as uneven particle thickness resulted in uneven contact between crystal and particle, misinterpreting large MPs as many small MPs. However, for more homogeneous matrices, the technique was promising. Further assessment indicated that there was little difference in spectra quality between transmission mode and LAATR mode. All in all, while LAATR units struggle to substitute transmission mode, it provides additional information and valuable information on small MPs.

Does the mouth size influence microplastic ingestion in fishes?

This study investigated microplastic (MP) contamination in six tropical fish species of different mouth sizes and trophic levels from Saint Martin's Island, Bay of Bengal. A total of 309 microplastics (MPs) were extracted from the gastrointestinal tract (GT) of these selected fishes, where the presence of MPs was 100 %. The mean abundance of MPs was significantly varied among the species and ranged from 4.38 to 10 MPs/GT (p < 0.05). This study revealed that MP incidence was strongly correlated with the mouth-to-body ratio of the selected fishes (r = 0.424, p = 0.003) and trophic levels (r = 0.458, p = 0.002). Results suggest that fish with larger mouths are more likely to ingest MPs, intentionally or unintentionally, compared to those with smaller mouths.

Microplastic enrichment capacity of Ctenochaetus striatus from the habitat environment - An example in Xisha, South China Sea

Microplastic pollution is a widespread concern in the global marine environment. In this study, microplastic pollution status in Xisha waters was investigated. Microplastics were found in all seawater samples, and 90.76 % of C. striatus samples were detected with microplastics. The average abundance of microplastics in seawater samples was 0.64 ± 0.39 items/L, and the abundance of microplastics in the gills and gastrointestinal tracts (GITs)of C. striatus was 1.14 ± 0.41 items/L and 1.80 ± 0.49 items/L, respectively. Shapes of microplastics in the seawater and in the gills and GITs of C. striatus were mainly fibers and films, and the majority of the particle sizes being <1 mm, and the polymers were mainly PET. In addition, the abundance of microplastics in the gills and GITs of C. striatus was positively correlated with that in the seawater, and the correlation was higher in the gills than in the GITs, which means that the accumulation of microplastics in the gills was more closely related to their habitats. The positive correlation between microplastic abundance in the gills and GITs of C. striatus and its body size may be due to the fact that larger individuals have greater energetic demands, require more energy requirements, consume more food, and thus increase the chances of ingesting microplastics.

Microplastic contamination in commercial fish feeds: A major concern for sustainable aquaculture from a developing country

Plastic pollution has become a global issue nowadays. Due to the increased population in developing countries, we largely depend on fish from our aquaculture industry to meet the required protein demand. Though several studies documented plastic ingestion in freshwater and marine organisms, very limited studies have been conducted to elucidate microplastic (MP) contamination in commercial fish feed. Therefore, this study was designed to identify, quantify, and characterize microplastics (MPs) in commercial fish feeds in Bangladesh and assess possible health risks in fish consuming different commercial fish feeds. All fish feed samples were 100 % contaminated with MPs, where the mean abundance of MPs ranged between 500 and 2200 MPs/kg. No significant differences among different types of feeds (e.g., starter, grower, and finisher) were observed in terms of MPs abundance (F = 0.999, p = 0.385). This study revealed that fiber was the most dominant shape of MPs (90 %), while the most dominant color of MPs was red (34 %), followed by black (31 %) and blue (19 %). The 100-1500 µm size class covers 88 % of the total MPs in the collected fish feed samples. Identified polymers in the samples were polyethylene (PE, 37.71 %), polyvinyl chloride (PVC, 27.14 %), polypropylene (PP, 22.08 %), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET, 13.07 %), respectively, where PE and PVC fall under the risk category IV to V. The Pollution load index (PLI) values of all fish feed samples were <10, indicating the risk category of I (low risk). Therefore, this study highly recommended avoiding plastic materials in the packaging and storing purposes of feed ingredients in the feed mills to ensure contamination-free fish feed for sustainable aquaculture.

Simulation of seasonal transport of microplastics and influencing factors in the China Seas based on the ROMS model

Elucidating the mechanisms governing microplastic transport and spatial distribution in offshore waters is essential to microplastic control. However, current research on microplastic transport in the China Seas is largely restricted to small-scale investigations, which do not provide a comprehensive result. Therefore, in this study, we used the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) combined with the Lagrangian Transport (LTRANS v.2) model to investigate how microplastics are transported around the China Seas during different seasons and under climatological river discharge. Our findings showed that the microplastic pathways and spatial distributions exhibit marked seasonal variations controlled by circulation patterns in the China Seas, river discharge values, and the characteristics of the microplastic materials. Floating microplastics exhibited the longest transport distance in summer, when microplastics from the Pearl River could be transported up to 1375.8 km through the Tokara and Tsushima straits. The heavy pollution areas in summer were located in the South Yellow Sea and East China Sea, mainly resulting from the contribution of the Yangtze River (>66%). In autumn and winter, more than three-quarters of the microplastics beached off the south-central Chinese coast. In addition, simulating the vertical velocity of the water prolonged the time required for microplastics to reach the open ocean, thereby reducing the amount of microplastics entering the Pacific Ocean by 6% compared to the simulation without the vertical velocity of the water in summer. Microplastics with higher densities were generally transported shorter distances. The transmission distances of PET and PS were two orders of magnitude smaller than that of PE. This study enhances knowledge of the sources and fates of offshore microplastics and provides scientific support for offshore microplastic control.

Surface structures changes and biofilm communities development of degradable plastics during aging in coastal seawater

Biodegradable plastics (BPs) are a suitable alternative to conventional plastics. Still, their excessive or unplanned use may disrupt the abundance and community structure of the microbial population. To this end, a 58-day experiment in which biodegradable plastic objects, such as bags and boxes, were exposed to near-coastal seawater was conducted. They also assessed how they affected the diversity and organization of bacterial populations in seawater and on the surface of BPs products. It is evident that after the exposure time, both BP's bag and box products deteriorate in the ocean to varying degrees. The results of high-throughput sequencing of bacterial communities in seawater and those colonized on BPs products reveal significant differences in microbial community structures between seawater and BPs plastic samples. These suggest that the degradation of biodegradable plastics is shadowed by microorganisms and exposure time, while BP products influence the structural characteristics of microbial communities.

Insight into the marine microplastic abundance and distribution in ship cooling systems

Microplastics (MPs) are becoming widely recognized as one of many global environmental issues. Although recently, it has been suggested that marine plastics may affect a ship's operation, the presence of MPs in a ship's cooling system has not received significant attention. In this study, samples of 40 L each were taken from each of the five main pipes (sea chest (SC), ejector pump (EP), main engine jacket freshwater pump (MJFP), main engine jacket freshwater cooler (MJFC), and expansion tank (ET)) in each season (February, May, July, October 2021) to identify and characterize MPs in the five main pipes of the ship cooling system from the training ship Hanbada, Korea Maritime and Ocean University. As a result of FTIR analysis, the total MP abundance was 24,100 particles/m³ in the cooling system of the ship. MP concentrations were observed to be higher (p < 0.05) in winter and spring (dry season: 1578 ± 604 particles/m³) than in summer and autumn (wet season: 990 ± 390 particles/m³). In addition, the MP concentration in the seawater cooling system (SCS) (1509 ± 553 particle/m³) was slightly higher (p > 0.05) than that in the freshwater cooling system (FCS) (1093 ± 546 particles/m³). Compared to previous studies, it was confirmed that the quantitative amount of MPs on board was similar to or slightly less than the concentration of MPs investigated along the coast of Korea (1736 particles/m³). To identify the chemical composition of MPs, an optical microscope and FTIR analysis was carried out, and PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), and PET (polyethylene terephthalate) were identified as major chemicals in all samples. MPs in the form of fibers and fragments accounted for approximately 95% of the total. This study provided evidence of MP contamination in the main pipe in the cooling system of the ship. These findings confirm that marine MPs existing in seawater may have flowed into the ship's cooling system, and it is necessary to understand the effect of marine MPs on the ship's engine and cooling system through continuous monitoring.

Spatial analysis of the influence on "microplastic communities" in the water at a medium scale

The issue of microplastics in freshwater has been growing in concern. Besides their abundance, the characteristics of microplastics are also important issues. The concept of "microplastic communities" has been utilized to assess differences in microplastic characteristics. In this study, we utilized the "microplastic community" approach to evaluate the impact of land use on microplastic characteristics in water at a provincial scale in China. The abundance of microplastics in water bodies in Hubei Province varied between 0.33 items/L and 5.40 items/L, with an average of 1.74 items/L. Microplastics were significantly more abundant in rivers than in lakes and reservoirs, and their abundance was negatively correlated with the distance from the nearest residential district of sampling sites. Similarities of microplastic communities were significantly different in mountainous and plain areas. Anthropogenic surfaces increased microplastic abundance and tended to decrease the size of microplastics, whereas natural vegetation had the opposite effect. The effect of land use on microplastic community similarity was greater than that of geographic distance. However, spatial scale limits the effect of various factors on microplastic community similarity. This study revealed the comprehensive influence of land use on microplastic characteristics in water and emphasized the importance of spatial scale in the study of microplastic characteristics.

Distribution and risk assessment of microplastics in typical ecosystems in the South China Sea

Microplastic pollution in the marine environment has attracted worldwide attention. The South China Sea is considered a hotspot for microplastic pollution due to the developed industries and high population density around the South China Sea. The accumulation of microplastics in ecosystems can adversely affect the health of the environment and organisms. This paper reviews the recent microplastic studies conducted in the South China Sea, which novelty summarizes the abundance, types, and potential hazards of microplastics in coral reef ecosystems, mangrove ecosystems, seagrass bed ecosystems, and macroalgal ecosystems. A summary of the microplastic pollution status of four ecosystems and a risk assessment provides a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of microplastic pollution on marine ecosystems in the South China Sea. Microplastic abundances of up to 45,200 items/m³ were reported in coral reef surface waters, 5738.3 items/kg in mangrove sediments, and 927.3 items/kg in seagrass bed sediments. There are few studies of microplastics in the South China Sea macroalgae ecosystems. However, studies from other areas indicate that macroalgae can accumulate microplastics and are more likely to enter the food chain or be consumed by humans. Finally, this paper compared the current risk levels of microplastics in the coral reef, mangrove, and seagrass bed ecosystems based on available studies. Pollution load index (PLI) ranges from 3 to 31 in mangrove ecosystems, 5.7 to 11.9 in seagrass bed ecosystems, and 6.1 to 10.2 in coral reef ecosystems, respectively. The PLI index varies considerably between mangroves depending on the intensity of anthropogenic activity around the mangrove. Further studies on seagrass beds and macroalgal ecosystems are required to extend our understanding of microplastic pollution in marine environments. Recent microplastic detection in fish muscle tissue in mangroves requires more research to further the biological impact of microplastic ingestion and the potential food safety risks.

Floating plastic accumulation and distribution around Kuroshio Current, western North Pacific

The distribution of floating plastic debris around the Kuroshio Current which transports plastics from the coastal waters of Asian countries to North Pacific subtropical gyre, was investigated in 2014. The mean abundance and weight of plastic debris on the sea surface were 100,376 counts/km² and 446.16 g/km², respectively. Intensive plastic accumulation was observed in the frontal area between the northern edge of the Kuroshio and coastal waters off Shikoku, while a relatively higher abundance in the south of Kuroshio was generally associated with anticyclonic mesoscale eddies. Such an accumulation resulted from the eddy-Kuroshio interactions which are specifically associated with the offshore non-large meandering Kuroshio path. Overall, white, fragmented, small-sized (≤1 mm) particles with polyethylene and polypropylene polymers were dominant. In the southern area of Kuroshio, the contribution of polystyrene and larger-sized plastic was higher, suggesting a rapid influx of fresh particles from western Japan to offshore by the northwest monsoon.

The role of available nitrogen in the adsorption of polystyrene nanoplastics on magnetic materials

Several studies have been conducted on nanoplastics (NPs). However, few studies have investigated the complexity of the interactions between NPs and other aqueous pollutants in multi-solute media. In this study, the adsorption of polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) on magnetic materials (MS) in the presence of available nitrogen (AN) was studied. The results demonstrated that the adsorbed amount of PSNPs increased in the presence of ammonium nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N), whereas no significant difference was detected on the adsorbed amount of PSNPs using nitrate nitrogen (NO₃^--N) as a cosolute. The increase in the adsorbed amount of PSNPs was attributed to the formation of an MS-PSNPs-NH₄⁺-N complex. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and zeta potential analyses indicated that the PSNPs with NH₄⁺-N as a cosolute can be bound on the MS surfaces. Moreover, the change in the PSNPs amount adsorbed by MS depends on the valence state, electronegativity of the coexisting ions, and the surface properties and functional groups of PSNPs. Additionally, the ionic strength, dissolved organic matter, solution pH, metal cations and the subsequent release of MS-coated PSNPs and NH₄⁺-N changed considerably in different aquatic systems and artificial nitrating fluids. Among different natural aquatic systems, the PSNPs adsorption on MS was excellent in lake water. The results indicate high potential for the attachment of PSNPs to MS in the presence of AN and further deepen the understanding of removing NPs using magnetic materials in aqueous systems with various coexisting contaminants.

Microplastic pollution threats coastal resilience and sustainability in Xiamen City, China

Microplastics have raised growing awareness due to their ubiquity and menaces to coastal resilience and sustainability. The abundance, distribution, and characteristics of microplastics in water and organisms in Xiamen were evaluated. Results showed that the average abundance of microplastics in the surface water of Xiamen Bay was 1.55 ± 1.94 items/m³. The dominant color, size, shape, and polymer type were white, 1.0-2.5 mm, and fragments and lines, and polyethylene and polypropylene, respectively. The average abundance of microplastics in the fish in Xiamen was 2.44 ± 1.56 items/g wet weight. They were dominated by fibers of blue polyethersulfone and polyethylene terephthalate, and sizes <2.5 mm. There was a negative correlation between the polymer type in fish and that in water, while a positive correlation between shapes of microplastics of both fish species. Results will aid in formulating management measures for preventing microplastic pollution in Xiamen, ultimately promoting coastal resilience and sustainability of coastal communities.

Assessing contamination of microplastics in the Ghanaian coastal sea using a self-constructed LADI trawl

Almost everywhere in the marine ecosystem contains microplastics. Although their environmental contamination is a global problem, relatively little is known about their distribution and abundance in the Gulf of Guinea. This study looked at the spatial dynamics of microplastics in the sea surface water off the coast of Ghana. Four chosen areas were found to have non-variable concentrations ranging from 1.14 to 2.79 particles m^-3 using a self-constructed Low-Tech Aquatic Debris Instrument (LADI) trawl (333 μm mesh). The most abundant shapes were fragments and pellets, while the most common colors were colored and transparent particles. The polymer types found in the microplastics selected for investigation using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy in Attenuated Total Reflectance mode (ATR-FT-IR) were Polypropylene, Polyethylene, and Polystyrene. These results provide an important baseline on microplastic pollution along the Ghanaian coast suggesting the LADI trawl as an accurate quantitative sampling tool for microplastics from sea surface water.