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Distribution of microplastics in the tidal flats of La Parguera, Puerto Rico
Summary
Researchers studied the distribution of microplastics in tidal flat sediments behind mangrove forests at four sites in southwest Puerto Rico. They found an average of about 149 microplastic particles per kilogram of sediment, with abundance increasing at greater distances from mangrove trees. The study suggests that mangrove density and local human activity levels influence how microplastics accumulate in these critical coastal ecosystems.
Tidal flats form behind mangrove forests and are critical coastal ecosystems influenced by ocean and land-based processes. To assess microplastics (MPs, <5 mm) distribution within tidal flats we studied four sites in southwest Puerto Rico with varying mangrove densities and anthropogenic influences. We characterized MPs from surface sediments along a transect at each tidal flat. On average 148.64 ± 138.87 MPs kg were collected with the majority (55.5 %) 0.3-1 mm in size. MPs abundance within transects was positively correlated to distance from mangroves at three sites. The most common polymers were polyethylene (48.4 %) and polypropylene (16.1 %). As expected, the roadside site had the highest abundance of MPs, but surprisingly, a remote island site had the second highest amount. Two other sites likely benefited from thicker mangrove cover and less human interference. While mangroves minimized MPs accumulation, improved waste management is also needed to reduce MPs delivered to these ecosystems.