We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Extraction and determination of microplastics and associated PAHs in seawater and beach sediments from the northwestern part of the Caspian Sea
Summary
Researchers collected microplastics and beach sediments from the northwestern Caspian Sea and used GC-MS to characterize polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons adsorbed on the MPs, finding PAH profiles consistent with petroleum combustion sources and documenting MP-PAH co-contamination in this landlocked sea.
The adsorption of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) on microplastics (MPs) in the marine environment is a pressing issue. This study, which focused on the northwestern part of the Caspian Sea, aimed to assess the extent of MP pollution and investigate the origin of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) adsorbed on MPs isolated from seawater and coastal sediments. In this study, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) measured the amount of PAHs. Detection limits were 0.1–1.3 ng g-1. Recovery experiments were conducted in 5 replicates at two concentration levels, 5 and 25 ng g-1. The recovery of standards was from 80.2 ± 5.2% to 99.1 ± 4.9%. The study also considered the relationship between PAH content and the size of the MPs. The concentration of Σ16PAHs at all investigated sampling sites ranged from 97.6 to 210.5 ng g-1 and from 93.9 to 332.3 ng g-1 in MPs from seawater and beach sediments, respectively. Notably, the study found that for MPs of 0.1 to 1 mm in size, the PAH concentrations determined by GC-MS were, on average, 20–40% higher than for 3–5 mm MPs. The concentration of PAHs in the northwestern part of the Caspian Sea was found to be lower than in the southern part, as indicated by our results, underscoring the significance of this study’s findings.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons affiliated with microplastics in surface waters of Bohai and Huanghai Seas, China
Microplastics collected from surface waters of the Bohai and Huanghai Seas in China were found to carry polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) at concentrations exceeding those in surrounding water, acting as concentrators of these carcinogenic compounds. The study documents that microplastics in heavily industrialized Chinese coastal seas accumulate PAHs that can be transferred to organisms that ingest them.
Contamination of the Caspian Sea Southern coast sediments with microplastics: A marine environmental problem
Microplastic occurrence was assessed in sediments from both recreational-tourism and non-tourist areas along the southern Caspian Sea coast of Iran. The study found microplastics at all sampling sites, with higher concentrations in tourist areas, establishing baseline contamination data for this large landlocked sea.
Microplastic particles in sediments and waters, south of Caspian Sea: Frequency, distribution, characteristics, and chemical composition
Researchers assessed microplastic occurrence in coastal sediments and surface waters along the southern Caspian Sea coast in Iran, finding mean concentrations of 15 items/kg in sediments and 710 items/m3 in coastal water. Fibers dominated at 97% of all MPs in both media and were predominantly black-colored, with smaller particles more prevalent in water than sediments.
Microplastics and associated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface water and sediment of the Bay of Bengal coastal area, India: sources, pathway and ecological risk
Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in surface water and sediment along two Bay of Bengal coastal beaches in India and found microplastics present at both sites. They also detected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, a group of harmful chemicals, adsorbed onto the microplastic surfaces at concentrations that varied by particle shape. The study highlights that microplastics in coastal waters act as carriers for toxic organic pollutants, potentially increasing ecological risks in the marine environment.
Distribution and Characterization of Microplastics in Surface Waters and the Southern Caspian Sea Coasts Sediments
Researchers investigated the distribution and characteristics of microplastics in surface waters and coastal sediments of the southern Caspian Sea across eight sampling stations, documenting concentrations and polymer types in the world's largest enclosed aquatic ecosystem.