Damming has reduced sediment supply to most river deltas, impairing the land-building capacity and ecological services of tidal wetlands. How localised engineering structures, coupled with sediment starvation, drive shifts in intertidal ecology and morphodynamics within a deltaic system remains a critical knowledge gap. Here, high-resolution Unmanned Aerial Vehicle imagery and Terrestrial Laser Scanner topographic data are integrated to quantify the dynamics of the Nanhui wetlands, the largest marginal wetland in the Yangtze Delta, where riverine sediment input has decreased by more than 70% in the last decades. Results show that the total salt marsh area expanded from 21.80 ha in 2019 to 46.37 ha in 2022, with the area of native and invasive marsh species increasing by 58.5% and 221.1%, respectively. The salt marsh in the East Nanhui wetland rapidly increased, growing 7.2-fold to reach 31.25 ha, whereas the salt marsh extent in the South Nanhui wetland declined by 16%, shrinking to 15.12 ha. Groins promoting siltation in the East Nanhui wetland weakened the wave and tidal forcing. This facilitated the accumulation of sediment from coarser-grained sources, as well as the encroachment of native Scirpus mariqueter. On the contrary, following the reclamation of the upper intertidal and supratidal zones, the South Nanhui wetland suffered severe retreat and sustained coarsening of bed sediment, due to enhanced alongshore currents and waves. Sediment remobilised by erosion deposited in the high marsh, favouring the invasion of Spartina alterniflora. Hence, this study clarifies that anthropogenic effects coupled with changes in hydrodynamic regimes can bifurcate the intertidal eco-morphodynamics into two distinct states: prograding versus eroding. Reduced sediment availability is likely to increase erosion of native salt marshes, thereby favouring the encroachment of invasive high marsh vegetation. Our findings highlight the value of high-resolution measurements in revealing different trajectories of nature-based solutions for coastal protection in mega-deltas.

The role of monsoon-induced wave action in driving mangrove loss in deltaic settings remains underexplored in comparison with the role of anthropogenic activities. Here, we reveal that the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna Delta (GBMD), the world's largest mangrove ecosystem within a monsoon-dominated region, exhibited an increased trend in total mangrove area at a rate of 133.3 +/- 6.7 ha yr(-1) from 1988 to 2022, despite a landward retreat of the mangrove shoreline at 5.98 +/- 1.56 m yr(-1). Monsoon-driven wave action is the primary driver of mangrove loss, with sea-level rise and tropical cyclones acting as critical amplifiers that exacerbate wave-driven erosion. In contrast, tidal currents promote sediment redistribution into channels, backshore areas, and around barrier islands and sandbanks, thereby fostering mangrove colonization and largely compensating for mangrove loss. Our findings highlight how southwest monsoon-induced waves drive mangrove loss, shedding light on the mechanisms underlying mangrove degradation in wave-dominated coastal areas.

Mangroves play a critical role in wave attenuation, carbon storage and tidal flat accretion. However, the mechanisms linking mangrove sedimentation to tidal flat deposition environment were not well documented. This study reconstructed the historical sedimentation process of the Mai Po Mangrove Reserve, a low-energy system with limited human disturbance, using in situ observations, sediment core samples and remote sensing images. The results show that sediments at the seaward mangrove fringe experienced two coarsening phases during 1990–2024, with mean grain size decreasing from 6.58 ± 0.77 φ before 2006 to 5.80 ± 0.66 φ after 2006 and further to 5.20 ± 0.65 φ after 2017. Within the mangrove interior, mean grain size increased from 3.35 ± 0.38 φ to 5.14 ± 0.95 φ after 1996, and subsequently decreased to 3.96 ± 0.39 φ after 2017, remaining consistently coarser than the fringe. Meanwhile, the mass accumulation rate (MAR) declined markedly from 1.40 g cm−2 yr−1 in 1999 to 0.94 g cm−2 yr−1 in 2016 and then sharply rebounded to 1.31 ± 0.07 g cm−2 yr−1, whereas MAR within the interior steadily decreased, with a mean value of 0.54 ± 0.12 g cm−2 yr−1 over the study period, consistently lower than the fringe. The seaward expansion of northern mangroves intercepted tidal and fluvial sediments before they reached the sampling sites, driving sediment coarsening and the initial MAR decline. In contrast, Shenzhen River regulation enhanced fine sediment supply to the mangrove interior, leading to early-stage fining. Weaker hydrodynamic forcing and shorter hydroperiods maintained lower sediment accumulation in the interior. Additionally, occasional typhoon events triggered sediment coarsening in both zones, while sea-level rise exerted only minor influence. These findings provide a theoretical basis for resilience evaluation of mangrove wetland systems and the protection and restoration policy setting.

Mangroves are vital coastal ecosystems in tropical and subtropical regions, providing critical services such as typhoon wave attenuation and carbon sequestration. However, these ecosystems face increasing natural and anthropogenic threats. Here, we analysed the spatiotemporal dynamics of mangroves within Hainan's protected areas using multi-temporal remote sensing data from 1988 to 2023 and the Random Forest (RF) classifier, dividing them into six study areas. Our results show a net mangrove loss of 129.25 ha, characterized by three distinct phases: degradation (1988-2003), stabilization (2003-2013), and slight expansion (2013-2023). Spatially, Dongzhaigang showed consistent growth, and Huachangwan recovered after early losses, while others experienced net losses. The spatial distribution of mangroves tends to expand seaward, while losses are predominantly concentrated in landward regions. Five of the six study areas are located within coastal lagoons, where sheltered conditions and sediment input driven by tidal currents and waves promote seaward mangrove expansion. Despite a relative sea-level rise of 4.44 mm/year, mangroves continued to expand seaward, demonstrating resilience against inundation pressures. These lagoons also provide ideal conditions for coastal aquaculture, particularly in the landward zones. Although these protected areas were primarily established in the 1980s, significant expanses of landward mangroves between 1988 and 2003 were transformed into aquaculture ponds. Following 2003, strengthened ecological policies successfully halted degradation, enabling widespread mangrove recovery. These findings provide critical insights for enhancing mangrove resilience and guiding global restoration initiatives.

Opsariichthys rubriventris (Cyprinidae), a recently described cyprinid endemic in Guangdong’s streams, faces conservation risks due to its restricted range. Here we analyzed population genetic structure using mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b) and genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across seven populations in the Pearl River basin and adjacent river systems. Our results revealed extremely low within-population diversity and positive inbreeding coefficients (FIS) across all populations, indicating small effective population sizes. Strong genetic differentiation (FST up to 0.743) among rivers suggested limited connectivity. Phylogenetic analyses of cyt b and SNPs resolved four geographically discrete lineages corresponding to the Moyang, Xi, Dong, and Mingxi Rivers, with the Moyang lineage being basal. Divergence time estimates place the earliest split at ∼1.74 million years ago (Ma), with further mid-Pleistocene divergences. Biogeographic reconstructions support a stepwise expansion from the Moyang to the Xi, then to the Dong, and finally to the Mingxi River. Gene flow is highly asymmetric and largely confined within the Dong River. Demographic reconstructions indicate recent population declines without postglacial expansion, highlighting vulnerability. Based on our findings, we further proposed six evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) and four management units (MUs), all of which should be regarded as equally important conservation units, while the relatively higher genetic diversity observed in the Dong River lineage provides additional information for management planning. These findings underscore the urgent need for habitat restoration and genetic monitoring to conserve this endemic species in South China’s threatened freshwater ecosystems.

Mangroves play a crucial role in coastal protection and biodiversity but face escalating threats from anthropogenic pressures and climate-driven disturbances. Long-term monitoring remains challenging due to mangrove fragmentation and limited high-resolution historical data. This study presents a deep learning-based approach for mangrove identification, leveraging cloud-free Sentinel-2 MSI imagery (10 m resolution) and Mask R-CNN to map and analyze mangrove dynamics on Lantau Island, Hong Kong, from 2016 to 2024. The model integrates surface reflectance bands, spectral indices (EVI, LSWI, MVI), and elevation data, achieving high accuracy (mean absolute percentage error: 6.91%; root mean square error: 0.04 x 104 ha). Multi-source validation demonstrated its strong generalization capacity across global mangrove ecosystems. Spatiotemporal analysis revealed divergent trends in two key mangrove stands. In Shui Hau, mangrove area declined continuously from 0.77 ha in 2016 to 0.39 ha in 2024, accompanied by shoreline erosion at a rate of 3.07 m/yr. This loss was associated with reduced suspended sediment concentration and persistent high wave energy. In contrast, Tung Chung's mangrove area expanded from 3.28 ha to 3.59 ha, with shoreline accretion at 0.85 m/yr, supported by moderate wave dynamics and higher sediment availability. These findings underscore the value of 10 m resolution Sentinel-2 MSI imagery for historical mangrove mapping, providing critical insights for targeted conservation and management strategies.

Microplastics are widespread environmental contaminants with adverse health impacts. The gastrointestinal tract represents a primary site for host-microplastic contact and interactions, but microplastic-driven perturbations of the gut microbiome and how they mediate toxicity to the gut and host's health remain poorly elucidated. In this study, zebrafish (Danio rerio) were exposed to environmentally ubiquitous polyester microplastics and investigated for acute dysbiosis and host-microbiome molecular responses using an integrated histological and multi-omics approach. Gut transcriptomic results first revealed initial dysregulations under microplastic stress, increasing energy-metabolic activity and suppressing detoxification-associated pathways on day 3, followed by downregulated gut epithelial maintenance and anti-inflammatory responses by day 7. During this process, opportunistic bacterial taxa such as Edwardsiella and the microbial antioxidant biosynthesis pathway can be enriched transiently. The limited structural damage and modest microbiome alterations observed after acute exposure, however, may suggest partial resilience of the host gut and microbiome. This study demonstrates microplastic-induced gut impairment and host-microbiome responses to acute polyester microplastic stress, providing evidence to enable better characterization of the gut health risks associated with microplastic contamination.

Monitoring critical marine resources through non-invasive methods is essential for effective coastal management. Fish communities are vital components of coastal ecosystems, yet their biodiversity and assemblage structure face increasing threats from urbanization and intensified fishing pressure. This study utilized eDNA metabarcoding to assess territory-wide fish diversity, community composition, and environmental correlates across 16 sites in Hong Kong's highly urbanized estuarine-coastal waters. Our eDNA metabarcoding-based analysis identified 76 fish species, including commercially important and threatened taxa. Notably, fish diversity hotspots with high alpha diversity were found in the turbid western and central waters. Substantial overlap in species composition was observed between the western and central waters, as well as in the transition zones connecting these areas to the southern region. eDNA metabarcoding surveys exhibited distinct advantages in detecting fish species that are typically missed or underrepresented in convetional net-based trawl surveys, as reflected by the increased detection of small-sized, schooling, and elusive low-trophic-level fish taxa—particularly from Clupeiformes and Mugiliformes—in the current study. Environmental gradients, specifically salinity, total phosphorus, and chlorophyll a, had significant impacts on fish community dissimilarity. Co-occurrence network analysis identified putative keystone fish species, such as Sardinella melanura and Nibea coibor, underscoring their central roles in ecosystem stability. This study highlights the value of eDNA metabarcoding-based surveys for enhanced assessments of fish diversity, including rare and elusive low-trophic-level species, across complex estuarine gradients in urban coastal environments, thereby supporting effective coastal resource management.

The global decline of mangrove ecosystems underscores the imperative for effective conservation and restoration strategies, particularly through the designation and management of protected areas. Understanding mangrove spatiotemporal dynamics within these nature reserves is critical for informing sustainable conservation efforts. This study utilizes multi-temporal remote sensing data coupled with machine learning techniques to investigate the spatiotemporal changes in mangrove coverage within the Mai Po Nature Reserve, Hong Kong-a Ramsar site since 1984 and one of the earliest mangrove nature reserves globally. Over the past three decades (1986-2023), the reserve has experienced a notable expansion in mangrove vegetation, with an average growth rate of 5.7 ha per year. The shoreline exhibits a distinct "M"-shaped seaward expansion, with rapid progradation rates of 20.81 m per year in the northern region and 11.10 m per year in the southern region, while the central area shows a slower progression at 2.43 m per year. A transition from exponential to linear growth post-2005 correlates with decreased sediment supply from the Shenzhen River and the systematic removal of pioneer mangrove seedlings since 2006. Weak wave energy and tidal forces have also facilitated the observed expansion. Projections suggest that, under rising sea levels and without human intervention, the Mai Po mangroves could fully occupy the intertidal zone within approximately 219.5 years. Results indicate that the current conservation strategy has facilitated vegetation expansion; however, this has occurred at the expense of the loss of mudflat areas. This trade-off raises important conservation questions regarding how to effectively balance the management and regulation of estuarine mangroves to ensure both ecological preservation and habitat integrity. This study demonstrates substantial natural expansion under Ramsar protection, offering critical insights into the mechanisms governing mangrove growth and informing global conservation and management practices for these vital ecosystems.

While global mangrove forests have suffered significant loss, raising widespread concern, little information is available on how mangrove forests have changed along Africa's coast. This study employed multi-temporal remote sensing data and machine learning techniques between 1988 and 2023 to assess the spatiotemporal changes in mangrove forests cover across the Niger Delta, Africa's largest delta. This results indicated a decreasing trend in mangrove area within the Niger Delta, with a total loss of 2536 km2 over the past 38 years, leaving 7058 km2 by 2023. The mangrove forests have become increasingly interiorly fragmented while retreating landward at an average rate of 13.58 m per year. Spatially, mangrove distribution remains concentrated in estuarine extensions, with most retreat occurring at mangrove edges. The intensification of oil spills and urban expansion likely contribute to the internal degradation within the Niger Delta's mangrove forests, of which 54.27 % of the mangrove loss may have been caused by oil spills. Meanwhile, high-energy waves are the primary driver of edge erosion, and variations in wave energy result in a gradual slowdown of the landward retreat of mangrove boundaries-from the central Arcuate Niger Delta toward its flanking regions. Furthermore, increased sediment discharge from river into coastal waters enhances mangrove expansion in estuarine zones, and accelerating sea-level rise presents a growing threat to mangrove sustainability. The findings provide critical insights into the drivers of mangrove gain and loss, offering actionable guidance for optimizing global mangrove conservation and restoration strategies.

Climate change and anthropogenic pressures alter phytoplankton phenology, distribution, and bloom frequency. Healthy phytoplankton communities are crucial for biogeochemical processes, blue carbon sequestration, and climate change mitigation. By employing high-throughput 18S V4 rRNA metabarcoding, we addressed the need for profiling phytoplankton community and response mechanisms in urbanized coastal ecosystems. Through an extensive literature review, we further integrated available databases and updated taxonomic information to construct a functional screening database, comprising 469 algal species identified from literature as toxin-producing or bloom-forming, affecting ecosystem or human health. Results showed an abundance of Mediophyceae and Trebouxiophyceae enriched among the phytoplankton communities in areas with overarching anthropogenic input sources such as estuarine freshwater and wastewater effluents, respectively, with distributions inferred to associate with water current exchanges. The study also expanded current baseline inventory for studied Hong Kong waters, revealing novel harmful algae profiles dominated primarily by Karlodinium veneficum and Cyclotella choctawhatcheeana. We found that harmful algae compositions in various coastal zones were selectively driven by indicators such as salinity, pH, and nitrogen species loading during the wet season. The incorporation of phytoplankton community monitoring and harmful algae screening in this study streamlines and empowers current molecular-based coastal marine surveillance. This not only facilitates baseline monitoring and mechanistic understanding of harmful and bloom-forming algae occurrence patterns but also advances molecular approaches to inform effective management of water resources and mitigation strategies on a global scale.

The selection of primers is crucial for conducting eDNA metabarcoding studies, particularly in estuarine regions characterized by complex habitats and high fish diversity. However, most previous eDNA metabarcoding studies have not systematically screened or evaluated primers specifically tailored to the target areas. This study focuses on a high-diversity estuarine region (the Humen Estuary of the Pearl River) to conduct an ecological investigation using eDNA metabarcoding. The results demonstrate that in silico PCR can assist in primer selection for metabarcoding, but practical surveys still require empirical validation through actual water samples. Additionally, by constructing mock communities using fish tissue-derived DNA, this study identified a positive correlation between fish DNA concentration and metabarcoding read abundance. Finally, our findings confirm that the MiFish-U primer set is suitable for investigating fish diversity in the Humen Estuary of the Pearl River.

Microplastic pollution in coastal ecosystems poses significant environmental risks. Microplastic biofilms were investigated through field incubation in coastal waters over a 21-day period to identify harmful microorganisms. Screening results indicated generally low abundance but highly diverse and variable nature of harmful pathogens on microplastics, largely governed by polymer type in conjunction with water usage. Typhoon shelter exhibited the highest pathogen abundance in both seawater and microplastic biofilms, with the most dominant pathogen species on microplastic biofilms being the atypical Corynebacterium variabile primarily enriched on polystyrene biofilms. Other harmful species, such as Vibrio, Acinetobacter, and Pseudomonas, were found sporadically recruited. Functional annotation and network analysis indicated a co-occurrence of pathogen taxa with keystone taxa like Aeromonas, yet no significant correlation with ARGs. This study showed that the assemblage of pathogens in the plastisphere could be influenced by multiple factors, providing a valuable reference for assessing microplastic-related pathogen risks in coastal waters.

Salt marshes are vital estuarine ecosystems that have experienced significant global declines due to sediment dynamics and rising sea levels. Monitoring the dynamics of these habitats is crucial for elucidating the mechanisms driving such changes. This study investigates the spatiotemporal dynamics of salt marshes on JiuDuan Shoal, the largest uninhabited island in the Changjiang Estuary, from 2002 to 2022. Utilizing advanced machine learning techniques, we analyzed a comprehensive dataset comprising Landsat imagery, hydro-sediment measurements, and localized sea level rise data. The results reveal that salt marshes on JiuDuan Shoal underwent substantial seaward expansion, averaging 3.66 km2/yr, with vertical accretion rates of 0.15 m/yr. Conversely, bare flats shifted from slight deposition (0.01 m/yr from 2002 to 2014) to erosion (0.07 m/yr from 2014 to 2022). Spatial analyses identified distinct expansion patterns, with the Upper Shoal extending northwestward and the Middle-Lower Shoal expanding southwestward. Notably, enhanced tidal currents facilitated continued sediment deposition despite a more than 70 % decline in fluvial sediment discharge. The hydrodynamic changes from the Deep Waterway Project contribute to the observed spatial variability in salt marsh dynamics. Additionally, the invasion of Spartina alterniflora has accelerated the seaward marsh expansion. By elucidating the interplay between hydrodynamic changes and salt marsh resilience, our findings provide crucial insights for conservation strategies to safeguard coastal habitats in the face of ongoing environmental challenges.

Lake wetlands are critical components of freshwater ecosystems, providing crucial roles in water regulation and biodiversity conservation. However, these lake wetlands are experiencing pervasive and often irreparable losses due to anthropogenic activities and climate change. This study utilizes remote sensing imagery from 1987 to 2023 based on a machine learning technique to analyze the dynamic changes in the wetlands of Poyang Lake, the largest freshwater lake in China. The results revealed a substantial decline in Poyang's wetland area, totaling 242.71 km2 over the study period. The mudflat areas within the wetlands demonstrated a marked reduction of 64 %, equating to a loss of 617.60 km2, predominantly in the northern zone of the lake. In contrast, vegetation coverage increased significantly by 36 %, rising from 1035.32 km2 in 1987 to 1411.99 km2 in 2023, characterized by a net gain of 361.05 km2 primarily due to the encroachment of mudflats. Increases in rainfall have expanded water bodies in dish-shaped lakes, encroaching on the transitional mudflat areas, thus exacerbating wetland degradation. Additionally, intensified human activities, particularly the construction of the Three Gorges Dam, have profoundly altered the river-lake topography gradient and enhanced Poyang Lake's discharge capacity into the Changjiang River. This alteration appears to be a primary driver of the observed vegetation expansion. Concurrently, reservoir construction within the Poyang Lake basin has trapped water and sediment, and sand extraction within the lake basin has water and sediment entrapment, exacerbated by sand extraction activities that have directly diminished mudflat areas. The present work highlights the ongoing degradation trends of lake wetlands and elucidates the driving forces behind the evolution of Poyang Lake, providing valuable insights for management and conservation strategies aimed at promoting the restoration and sustainable development of lake wetlands.

High-responsivity hydrophones play a crucial role in monitoring ocean acoustic fields, detecting underwater targets, and conducting underwater acoustics research. To address the challenges of long-term, high-responsivity vector acoustic detection for low-frequency signals in deep-ocean environments, we have developed and evaluated an underwater acoustic subsurface buoy system capable of operating at depths of up to 2000 m. This system utilizes fiber-optic acoustic vector sensors to capture vector information of particle acceleration and acoustic pressure in the surrounding field. It offers excellent directionality and can autonomously function for six months with reliability. After undergoing various tests including laboratory tests, hydrostatic pressure tests, and pool tests, the system underwent a 9-day trial in the northern South China Sea. During the trial, ambient noise, anthropogenic noise, bioacoustics, and microseisms induced by tropical cyclone Ma-on were investigated. The system demonstrated the ability to detect signals from explosive sources up to 100 km away and pick up microseisms at frequencies as low as sub-0.1 Hz. These trials showcased the system's capability to operate effectively in deep-ocean environments for over six-month deployments and acquire high-quality target signals, with potential applications in seismology, acoustics, biology, and oceanography research.

Soil serves as a primary sink for microplastics. This review explicitly focuses on the mechanisms underlying microplastic aging and degradation in soil environments, and the ecological toxicity arising from microplastic transformation. The fragmentation processes of different microplastics depend on the characteristics of their mechanical dynamics and microstructures. Mechanical disruption can result in surface cracking, fragmentation, and subsequent formation of smaller microplastic particles. Exposure to ultraviolet and infrared radiation under natural sunlight can accelerate the embrittlement, stiffening, and eventual fragmentation of microplastics. Thermal degradation of microplastics primarily involves high temperature facilitating the dissociation of chemical bonds between polymer molecules. This process is similar to photodegradation that refers to oxidative reactions following the breakage of polymer chains. The humidity stability of microplastics is influenced by the hydrophilicity of their functional groups. Microplastics that enter the soil environment undergo aging and degradation due to the chewing action of soil fauna and enzymatic erosion within their digestive tracts. The causal relationship between microplastic aging and degradation is further explored, providing a comprehensive understanding of how microplastics transform under soil conditions. This work supplements targeted data on microplastic behavior in soil ecosystems and establishes a foundation for studies on microplastic pollution management in terrestrial environments.

Teratogens play a crucial role in the development of birth defects, making effective screening vital for prevention and management. This study aimed to develop an optimized zebrafish embryo-based platform for teratogenicity screening and further evaluate its findings with established clinical and animal data. Zebrafish embryos [6-8 h post-fertilization (hpf)] were exposed to 19 different test solutions, including nine known teratogens and ten non-teratogens, in 96-well plates, and mortality and morphological abnormalities were assessed at 48, 72, and 96 hpf. The half-lethal concentration (LC50) and half-effective concentration (EC50) were calculated from the counts of dead and abnormal embryos, respectively. The teratogenicity index (TI), defined as LC50/EC50, was used to classify the chemicals. Of the tested compounds, eight were identified as teratogenic, nine as non-teratogenic, and two outliers due to solubility constraints in this assessment. Notably, extending the exposure duration to 96 hpf provided a more accurate assessment of teratogenicity compared to shorter exposures. Eight teratogenic substances exhibited a TI greater than 3, while (-)-thalidomide did not yield a definitive TI due to low solubility. Among the non-teratogenic chemicals, nine had a TI below 3, with ajmaline also lacking a precise TI due to solubility constraints. These findings suggest that using a 6-8 hpf to 96 hpf exposure window and establishing a TI threshold of 3 can facilitate reliable teratogenicity risk assessment. Furthermore, the phenotypes observed in zebrafish embryos were consistent with typical teratogenic malformations documented in clinical and animal studies. This study demonstrates that the refined zebrafish embryo teratogenicity testing method coupled with the TI, can be an effective tool for assessing teratogenic risk.

Microplastic contamination in agricultural soils is of increasing concern, yet non-destructive detection of small-sized microplastics remains challenging due to the resolution limitations of FTIR spectroscopy and the time-consuming nature of traditional Raman imaging. Herein, we proposed an extrapolation method based on a "six-point S-shaped" sub-region sampling strategy for the high precision and ultra-efficient micro-Raman detection of microplastics. An optimized sample preparation protocol using 300 mg/L sodium dodecyl sulfate effectively facilitated the uniform dispersion of microplastics on excellent filter membranes. Six representative sub-regions were designed to reflect the actual particle distribution, including the center, transition region, and the edge of the membrane. Impressively, this strategy achieved over 91 % accuracy while reducing detection time by over 90 % and 70.6 % as compared to full-membrane detection and the fastest existing extrapolation method, respectively. Adjustments to image acquisition origin and spectral scanning parameters enabled the first rapid detection of soil microplastics as small as 1 μm. Furthermore, field application revealed that the microplastics in soil predominantly originate from polyethylene mulching residue, with smaller-sized particles being the most prevalent. All these results highlight the high efficiency and sensitivity of microplastic detection in soils, offering solid support for ecological risk assessment and management of agricultural environments.