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Based on the Lagrangian random walk particle tracking method and the global ocean reanalysis data, this study simulated the drift-diffusion process in ocean of microplastic particles (density less than seawater) discharged by coastal cities in China for 12 consecutive years. The results reveal that most of the microplastics (80.33%) essentially end up ashore or in the marginal seas around China, a small portion of microplastics (18.22%) enter the Sea of Japan and the Northwest Pacific Ocean via the Tsushima Strait and the Osumi-Kaikyo with the Kuroshio Tide, a very small portion of microplastics (1.45%) enter into the waters of Southeast Asian countries along with the west boundary current of South China Sea. The concentration distribution characteristics have obvious seasonal variation in the high concentration areas (the marginal seas around China and Sea of Japan). The mainly destination area of microplastics released in different cities is different. • Microplastic's transportation in ocean discharged by China's coastal cities. • Most of the microplastics (80.33%) end up ashore or in the marginal seas around China. • Two channels (18.22%, 1.45%) are exported from the marginal seas around China. • The concentration have seasonal variation in the marginal seas around China and Japan. • The microplastics's mainly destination area released in different cities is different. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On 06 January 2018, the Sanchi tanker collided with a Hong Kong-flagged cargo ship at 30°42′42″N, 124°56′42″E in the East China Sea (ECS). In this paper, we used a Northwest Pacific (NWP) operational oil spill forecasting system of National Marine Environmental Forecasting Center of China (NMEFC) to forecast the oil drifting trajectory during Sanchi collision accident. In order to reveal the major errors sources and improve the accuracy of the forecasting system, we designed five numeric simulation scenarios. In the five scenarios, we input the different current and wind forcing data into the forecasting system, and set the different oil released time. By the analysis and discussion of the five numeric simulation results, we drew the conclusions following: 1) The error of wind and the inaccuracy released time of oil were the major error sources of the NWP operational oil spill forecasting system of NMEFC during the accident. 2) We should further strengthen the observation of the complicated vortex region of Kuroshio Current to improve the prediction accuracy of material transport in ocean. 3) In the event that this information is unavailable, uncertainty analysis should be conducted by simulating the oil spill on all kinds of different released conditions. • We designed five numeric simulation scenarios to reveal the major errors sources. • Wind error and inaccuracy released time of oil were the major error sources. • We should further strengthen the observation of Kuroshio Current. • Uncertainty analysis should be conducted if released time of oil is inaccuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]