Distribution of Microplastics in the Beach Indicating Anthropogenic Sediments: Case Study in Can Gio HCM City, Vietnam

Nguyen Van Lap; Lieu Kim Phuong; Nguyen Thi Mong Lan; Vo Thi Hong Quyen

doi:doi:10.11648/j.earth.20251406.19

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Distribution of Microplastics in the Beach Indicating Anthropogenic Sediments: Case Study in Can Gio HCM City, Vietnam

Nguyen Van Lap^*

, Lieu Kim Phuong, Nguyen Thi Mong Lan, Vo Thi Hong Quyen

Published in Earth Sciences (Volume 14, Issue 6)

Received: 4 November 2025 Accepted: 1 December 2025 Published: 31 December 2025

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Abstract

Research on characteristics, composition, size, shape (fragment, fiber, granular), distribution, and content of microplastics in coastal sediments was conducted through boreholes and excavations on identified cross-sections. Field surveys were conducted in the rainy and dry seasons, drilling (2m/borehole) and excavations (1.0 x 0.8 x 1.0) to collect samples at low tide. Changes in sediment environment and microplastics in the 2m borehole column, and seasonal changes in sediment structure and microplastics were studied in the excavations. Changes in microplastic content in the sediment sample column (borehole, excavation) and sediment OSL age were also determined. Synthesizing documents on the cross-sections will determine the distribution characteristics of microplastics in coastal alluvial sediments in the study area. Coastal sedimentary environments are determined based on analysis of grain size, sediment structure and diatoms in borehole and excavation samples. In addition, geomorphology and coastal sediments play an important role in determining sedimentary environments such as intertidal, subtidal, beach, sand bar, etc. The presence of microplastics with varying composition and content in borehole sedimentary environments of geological cross-sections is the basis for studying the distribution and source of microplastics. The research results show that the microplastic content is medium to very low, about 0-300 microplastics / 1000 g of dry sediment sample, often found in fine, medium and silty sand in the upper intertidal sediments (0 to -0.6 m) with an age of about 30 years ago (OSL age), and does not appear in the lower part of the drill core (from -0.7 m to -2 m). In addition, microplastics do not appear in clay-silt and clay-silt-sand. Two areas with quite concentrated microplastic content are the intertidal flats of Soai Rap and Dong Tranh rivers in Dong Hai commune and the Long Tau river mouth area in Can Thanh town; the intertidal flats in the middle of Long Hoa commune has a non-concentrated microplastic content.

Published in	Earth Sciences (Volume 14, Issue 6)
DOI	10.11648/j.earth.20251406.19
Page(s)	309-319
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Microplastics, Coastal Sediments, Beach, Can Gio HCMC, Boreholes, Intertidal

References

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Lap, N. V., Phuong, L. K., Lan, N. T. M., Quyen, V. T. H. (2025). Distribution of Microplastics in the Beach Indicating Anthropogenic Sediments: Case Study in Can Gio HCM City, Vietnam. Earth Sciences, 14(6), 309-319. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20251406.19

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ACS Style

Lap, N. V.; Phuong, L. K.; Lan, N. T. M.; Quyen, V. T. H. Distribution of Microplastics in the Beach Indicating Anthropogenic Sediments: Case Study in Can Gio HCM City, Vietnam. Earth Sci. 2025, 14(6), 309-319. doi: 10.11648/j.earth.20251406.19

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AMA Style

Lap NV, Phuong LK, Lan NTM, Quyen VTH. Distribution of Microplastics in the Beach Indicating Anthropogenic Sediments: Case Study in Can Gio HCM City, Vietnam. Earth Sci. 2025;14(6):309-319. doi: 10.11648/j.earth.20251406.19

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@article{10.11648/j.earth.20251406.19,
  author = {Nguyen Van Lap and Lieu Kim Phuong and Nguyen Thi Mong Lan and Vo Thi Hong Quyen},
  title = {Distribution of Microplastics in the Beach Indicating Anthropogenic Sediments: Case Study in Can Gio HCM City, Vietnam},
  journal = {Earth Sciences},
  volume = {14},
  number = {6},
  pages = {309-319},
  doi = {10.11648/j.earth.20251406.19},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20251406.19},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.earth.20251406.19},
  abstract = {Research on characteristics, composition, size, shape (fragment, fiber, granular), distribution, and content of microplastics in coastal sediments was conducted through boreholes and excavations on identified cross-sections. Field surveys were conducted in the rainy and dry seasons, drilling (2m/borehole) and excavations (1.0 x 0.8 x 1.0) to collect samples at low tide. Changes in sediment environment and microplastics in the 2m borehole column, and seasonal changes in sediment structure and microplastics were studied in the excavations. Changes in microplastic content in the sediment sample column (borehole, excavation) and sediment OSL age were also determined. Synthesizing documents on the cross-sections will determine the distribution characteristics of microplastics in coastal alluvial sediments in the study area. Coastal sedimentary environments are determined based on analysis of grain size, sediment structure and diatoms in borehole and excavation samples. In addition, geomorphology and coastal sediments play an important role in determining sedimentary environments such as intertidal, subtidal, beach, sand bar, etc. The presence of microplastics with varying composition and content in borehole sedimentary environments of geological cross-sections is the basis for studying the distribution and source of microplastics. The research results show that the microplastic content is medium to very low, about 0-300 microplastics / 1000 g of dry sediment sample, often found in fine, medium and silty sand in the upper intertidal sediments (0 to -0.6 m) with an age of about 30 years ago (OSL age), and does not appear in the lower part of the drill core (from -0.7 m to -2 m). In addition, microplastics do not appear in clay-silt and clay-silt-sand. Two areas with quite concentrated microplastic content are the intertidal flats of Soai Rap and Dong Tranh rivers in Dong Hai commune and the Long Tau river mouth area in Can Thanh town; the intertidal flats in the middle of Long Hoa commune has a non-concentrated microplastic content.},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Distribution of Microplastics in the Beach Indicating Anthropogenic Sediments: Case Study in Can Gio HCM City, Vietnam
AU  - Nguyen Van Lap
AU  - Lieu Kim Phuong
AU  - Nguyen Thi Mong Lan
AU  - Vo Thi Hong Quyen
Y1  - 2025/12/31
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20251406.19
DO  - 10.11648/j.earth.20251406.19
T2  - Earth Sciences
JF  - Earth Sciences
JO  - Earth Sciences
SP  - 309
EP  - 319
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-5982
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20251406.19
AB  - Research on characteristics, composition, size, shape (fragment, fiber, granular), distribution, and content of microplastics in coastal sediments was conducted through boreholes and excavations on identified cross-sections. Field surveys were conducted in the rainy and dry seasons, drilling (2m/borehole) and excavations (1.0 x 0.8 x 1.0) to collect samples at low tide. Changes in sediment environment and microplastics in the 2m borehole column, and seasonal changes in sediment structure and microplastics were studied in the excavations. Changes in microplastic content in the sediment sample column (borehole, excavation) and sediment OSL age were also determined. Synthesizing documents on the cross-sections will determine the distribution characteristics of microplastics in coastal alluvial sediments in the study area. Coastal sedimentary environments are determined based on analysis of grain size, sediment structure and diatoms in borehole and excavation samples. In addition, geomorphology and coastal sediments play an important role in determining sedimentary environments such as intertidal, subtidal, beach, sand bar, etc. The presence of microplastics with varying composition and content in borehole sedimentary environments of geological cross-sections is the basis for studying the distribution and source of microplastics. The research results show that the microplastic content is medium to very low, about 0-300 microplastics / 1000 g of dry sediment sample, often found in fine, medium and silty sand in the upper intertidal sediments (0 to -0.6 m) with an age of about 30 years ago (OSL age), and does not appear in the lower part of the drill core (from -0.7 m to -2 m). In addition, microplastics do not appear in clay-silt and clay-silt-sand. Two areas with quite concentrated microplastic content are the intertidal flats of Soai Rap and Dong Tranh rivers in Dong Hai commune and the Long Tau river mouth area in Can Thanh town; the intertidal flats in the middle of Long Hoa commune has a non-concentrated microplastic content.
VL  - 14
IS  - 6
ER  -

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Nguyen Van Lap

Institute of Life Sciences, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

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http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5295-6811
Lieu Kim Phuong

Institute of Life Sciences, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

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Nguyen Thi Mong Lan

Institute of Life Sciences, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

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Vo Thi Hong Quyen

Institute of Life Sciences, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

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Lap, N. V., Phuong, L. K., Lan, N. T. M., Quyen, V. T. H. (2025). Distribution of Microplastics in the Beach Indicating Anthropogenic Sediments: Case Study in Can Gio HCM City, Vietnam. Earth Sciences, 14(6), 309-319. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20251406.19

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ACS Style

Lap, N. V.; Phuong, L. K.; Lan, N. T. M.; Quyen, V. T. H. Distribution of Microplastics in the Beach Indicating Anthropogenic Sediments: Case Study in Can Gio HCM City, Vietnam. Earth Sci. 2025, 14(6), 309-319. doi: 10.11648/j.earth.20251406.19

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AMA Style

Lap NV, Phuong LK, Lan NTM, Quyen VTH. Distribution of Microplastics in the Beach Indicating Anthropogenic Sediments: Case Study in Can Gio HCM City, Vietnam. Earth Sci. 2025;14(6):309-319. doi: 10.11648/j.earth.20251406.19

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.earth.20251406.19,
  author = {Nguyen Van Lap and Lieu Kim Phuong and Nguyen Thi Mong Lan and Vo Thi Hong Quyen},
  title = {Distribution of Microplastics in the Beach Indicating Anthropogenic Sediments: Case Study in Can Gio HCM City, Vietnam},
  journal = {Earth Sciences},
  volume = {14},
  number = {6},
  pages = {309-319},
  doi = {10.11648/j.earth.20251406.19},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20251406.19},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.earth.20251406.19},
  abstract = {Research on characteristics, composition, size, shape (fragment, fiber, granular), distribution, and content of microplastics in coastal sediments was conducted through boreholes and excavations on identified cross-sections. Field surveys were conducted in the rainy and dry seasons, drilling (2m/borehole) and excavations (1.0 x 0.8 x 1.0) to collect samples at low tide. Changes in sediment environment and microplastics in the 2m borehole column, and seasonal changes in sediment structure and microplastics were studied in the excavations. Changes in microplastic content in the sediment sample column (borehole, excavation) and sediment OSL age were also determined. Synthesizing documents on the cross-sections will determine the distribution characteristics of microplastics in coastal alluvial sediments in the study area. Coastal sedimentary environments are determined based on analysis of grain size, sediment structure and diatoms in borehole and excavation samples. In addition, geomorphology and coastal sediments play an important role in determining sedimentary environments such as intertidal, subtidal, beach, sand bar, etc. The presence of microplastics with varying composition and content in borehole sedimentary environments of geological cross-sections is the basis for studying the distribution and source of microplastics. The research results show that the microplastic content is medium to very low, about 0-300 microplastics / 1000 g of dry sediment sample, often found in fine, medium and silty sand in the upper intertidal sediments (0 to -0.6 m) with an age of about 30 years ago (OSL age), and does not appear in the lower part of the drill core (from -0.7 m to -2 m). In addition, microplastics do not appear in clay-silt and clay-silt-sand. Two areas with quite concentrated microplastic content are the intertidal flats of Soai Rap and Dong Tranh rivers in Dong Hai commune and the Long Tau river mouth area in Can Thanh town; the intertidal flats in the middle of Long Hoa commune has a non-concentrated microplastic content.},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Distribution of Microplastics in the Beach Indicating Anthropogenic Sediments: Case Study in Can Gio HCM City, Vietnam
AU  - Nguyen Van Lap
AU  - Lieu Kim Phuong
AU  - Nguyen Thi Mong Lan
AU  - Vo Thi Hong Quyen
Y1  - 2025/12/31
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20251406.19
DO  - 10.11648/j.earth.20251406.19
T2  - Earth Sciences
JF  - Earth Sciences
JO  - Earth Sciences
SP  - 309
EP  - 319
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2328-5982
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20251406.19
AB  - Research on characteristics, composition, size, shape (fragment, fiber, granular), distribution, and content of microplastics in coastal sediments was conducted through boreholes and excavations on identified cross-sections. Field surveys were conducted in the rainy and dry seasons, drilling (2m/borehole) and excavations (1.0 x 0.8 x 1.0) to collect samples at low tide. Changes in sediment environment and microplastics in the 2m borehole column, and seasonal changes in sediment structure and microplastics were studied in the excavations. Changes in microplastic content in the sediment sample column (borehole, excavation) and sediment OSL age were also determined. Synthesizing documents on the cross-sections will determine the distribution characteristics of microplastics in coastal alluvial sediments in the study area. Coastal sedimentary environments are determined based on analysis of grain size, sediment structure and diatoms in borehole and excavation samples. In addition, geomorphology and coastal sediments play an important role in determining sedimentary environments such as intertidal, subtidal, beach, sand bar, etc. The presence of microplastics with varying composition and content in borehole sedimentary environments of geological cross-sections is the basis for studying the distribution and source of microplastics. The research results show that the microplastic content is medium to very low, about 0-300 microplastics / 1000 g of dry sediment sample, often found in fine, medium and silty sand in the upper intertidal sediments (0 to -0.6 m) with an age of about 30 years ago (OSL age), and does not appear in the lower part of the drill core (from -0.7 m to -2 m). In addition, microplastics do not appear in clay-silt and clay-silt-sand. Two areas with quite concentrated microplastic content are the intertidal flats of Soai Rap and Dong Tranh rivers in Dong Hai commune and the Long Tau river mouth area in Can Thanh town; the intertidal flats in the middle of Long Hoa commune has a non-concentrated microplastic content.
VL  - 14
IS  - 6
ER  -

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