, 2009 and Doyle et al., 2011). These plastic fragments constitute a frequently reported size inventory in many ingestion studies (Eriksson and Burton, 2003, Foekema et al., 2013 and Graham and Thompson, 2009). The size range of MP determines the potential impact of these contaminants on ecosystem biota (Mohamed Nor and Obbard, 2014). Dominance of smaller

particles increases the risks related to encounter frequency. S-MPPs were easily found in filter feeders in contrast to L-MPPs which were found frequently in carnivorous taxa (Foekema et al., 2013). The two research areas shared a similar composition of MP types. According to their shape, MP particles were categorized into four types: fibres, granules, plastic films and spherules. The fibres were the most common type, followed by granules and films. Spherules were the least common Selleckchem Everolimus type (Table 3). The Galunisertib clinical trial similar share of MP types in the Yangtze Estuary and East China Sea indicated a possible MP flux from the river to the adjacent sea. Fibrous MPs seems to be most abundant in the marine environment (Wright et al., 2013). Being adjacent to the most highly populated region, the study areas are bound to accept large amounts of land-based debris. This is in accordance with Browne et al. (2011) who suggested that the majority of MP fibres found in the marine

environment may be derived from sewage as a consequence of laundering clothes. On the other hand, the fibres may derive from rope material. Heavy marine traffic and fishery activities in the study areas brought more discarded rope material (Andrady, Metalloexopeptidase 2011 and Thompson et al., 2004). Lacking identification of the polymer types, further speculation on the

origins of plastic particles cannot be made. The potential negative impacts of plastic particles ingested were proved to be associated with various particle shapes (Wright et al., 2013). If ingested, organisms inhabiting the study areas are vulnerable to the shape-related toxicity of fibrous MPs. Strikingly, spherules were rarely found in our study while commonly existing in water column samples (Moore et al., 2001 and Law et al., 2010). A decrease in spherules may suggest that industry initiatives have been useful in reducing the loss of pellets into the environment during transportation. Similar results have been reported in two other studies (Ivar do Sul et al., 2013b and Ryan, 2008). Transparent and coloured MPs were the majority of plastic items, with small fractions of white and black plastic items (Fig. 3). Prominence of transparent and coloured MP corresponds to the prevalence of clear plastics used in the plastic products, such as packaging, clothing and fishing line (Cole et al., 2014). The colours may potentially contribute to the likelihood of MP ingestion due to food resemblance, the prevalence of plastics with these colours in the environment and an actual colour preference by the biota (Costa et al., 2010, Shaw and Day, 1994, Verlis et al.