Microplastics (MPs), recognized as an emerging global environmental concern, have been extensively detected worldwide, with specific attention directed towards the Yangtze River Estuary (YRE) and East China Sea (ECS) regions. Despite their critical research significance, there remains a knowledge gap concerning the distribution of MPs in the benthic layer within this area, particularly regarding interactions governing their occurrence. Here we illuminate the distribution of MPs within the benthic layer and unravel the intricate interplay between bottom water and sediment in the YRE and ECS. We find that MPs are notably more abundant in bottom water, ranging from 8 to 175 times higher than in surface water. These MPs predominantly consist of polyester fibers, exhibit a size range between 0.5 and 5.0 mm, and display distinct coloration. Co-occurrence network analysis and Principal Coordinate Analysis confirm a robust correlation between MPs in bottom water and sediment, signifying the pivotal role of bottom water in mediating the distribution and transportation of MPs within the benthic layer. Furthermore, a positive correlation between MPs in sediment and bottom water turbidity underscores the impact of surface sediment resuspension and upwelling on MPs distribution. This study clarifies the intricate interactions within the benthic layer and highlights the crucial role of bottom water as a mediator in the vertical distribution of MPs, advancing our understanding of the “source-to-sink” transport processes governing MPs within water-sediment systems.

To deal with polyacrylamide (PAM) wastewater, granular sludge formed in glucose-fed sequencing batch reactors (SBR) was employed to cultivate PAM-degrading granules. Three replicated SBRs were operated with increasing PAM concentration in the influent from 67 to 670 mg L⁻¹, and the hydraulic retention time was increased at the same time from 1 d to 6 d during the six-phase of the 43 d acclimation period. The well-acclimated PAM-degrading granules were different from the seeding granules in colour, mean diameter, biomass density and settle ability, and could use PAM as the sole carbon and nitrogen source. In the batch experiments, PAM degradation rate by granules was determined as 2.23 mg PAM g⁻¹ MLSS h⁻¹. According to the analysis of the intermediates of PAM biodegradation, PAM was degraded initially through hydrolysis of the amide group, and no acrylamide monomer was detected. With the help of LC/MS, the main intermediate was identified as polyacrylic acid with a low molecular weight. Therefore, the PAM-degrading granular sludge may be employed for removing PAM in the wastewater produced from tertiary oil recovery that uses polymeric flooding technology.