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Temporal Distribution of Microplastics and other Anthropogenic Particles in Abiotic Compartments of a Coastal Lagoon from the Atlantic Coast
Summary
Researchers found that wastewater discharged into France's Arcachon Bay releases an estimated 127 million anthropogenic particles — including 30 million microplastics — into the Atlantic Ocean every single day, with seasonal spikes linked to tourism and fishing. The findings highlight wastewater systems as a major ongoing pathway for microplastic pollution reaching open ocean environments.
This study characterizes anthropogenic particles (AP) and microplastics (MP) in treated wastewater, sea surface, water column and intertidal sediments from the Arcachon Bay (France) at four seasons. Their morphometric characteristics, polymer types and concentrations were described. Concentrations showed some seasonal variations that may be related to anthropogenic factors like tourism or fishing. Overall, 2687.4 ± 1335.2 AP.m−3 (614.7 ± 481.4 MP.m−3) were found in wastewater and we estimated that 127.4 ± 41.6 million of AP (30.0 ± 25.2 million of MP) could enter the Atlantic Ocean each day via the wastewater system. Mean concentrations at sea surface, in water column and intertidal sediments were respectively 0.79 ± 1.64 AP.m−3 (0.62 ± 1.30 MP.m−3), 778.90 ± 370.95 AP.m−3 (319.2 ± 214.6 MP.m−3) and 86.93 ± 67.77 AP.kg−1 (16.1 ± 19.1 MP.kg−1 dry weight). Finally, we proposed insights about sources of AP and MP based on their characteristics (e.g. textiles, tyres, fishing).