the C transect was significantly higher than any of the other transects (Kruskal–Wallis test, p = 0.029 < 0.05; Mann–Whitney U test,
all p < 0.05) (Fig. 2). Directly facing the south branch of the Yangtze
Estuary, the C transect was subject to more influences of riverine
discharge. This finding confirmed that rivers have a huge effect
on MP abundance in the marine environment