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Maritime and lagoon beaches sediments mineral phases and potentially toxic elements characterization and evaluation of microplastics retention
Summary
Researchers characterized beach sediments from 16 locations in Portugal, including both ocean-facing and lagoon beaches, looking at mineral content, toxic elements, and microplastic presence. They found elevated levels of arsenic, chromium, and zinc at some sites, along with microplastic contamination across the study area. The findings suggest that both chemical and microplastic pollution in beach sediments may pose risks to people who use these coastal areas.
The present study aimed to characterize the texture, mineral phases, and geochemical composition of sixteen sediment samples of beaches in Portugal, from maritime and Ria de Aveiro lagoon environments. Additionally, the presence of Microplastics (MPs) in these sediments was estimated. Sediments from both environments were classified as sands, with a quartz content ranging ∼70–90 %. The physicochemical parameters showed neutral conditions, with pH between 6.16 and 7.05, typically of this type of setting. The concentration of As, Cr, and Zn was above sediment guidelines, suggesting anthropogenic contamination, particularly in one location, posing a risk to beach users. Contamination indices and toxicological assessment confirmed anthropogenic contamination, particularly by Cr on the maritime beaches, highlighting pollution and toxicity risk. This may be linked to industrial, domestic, and agricultural activities, population density, traffic, as well as traditional fishing practices. MPs were identified in both sediments and water samples from maritime and Ria de Aveiro beaches, ranging 38 to 958 MP/kg. The more abundant identified MPs were PUR, ABS, and PE, mainly in the form of fibers, with different colors. • Concentration of As, Cr, and Zn in sediments was above sediment guidelines. • Contamination indices and toxicological assessment confirmed anthropogenic contamination. • Microplastics (MPs) were identified in all sediments and water samples. • More abundant MPs were PUR, ABS, and PE, mainly in the form of fibers.