We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Emerging pollutants sorbed on beach microplastics. Evaluation in the coast of gran canaria (spain)
Summary
Researchers evaluated the sorption of emerging pollutants including steroid hormones and UV filters onto beach microplastics collected from Gran Canaria, Spain, examining how microplastics act as vectors for endocrine-disrupting compounds and personal care product ingredients in coastal environments. The study found measurable accumulation of these contaminants on beach microplastics, demonstrating a combined pollution risk from plastic particles and their sorbed chemical cargo.
In recent years, microplastics (MPs) have been shown to adsorb organic substances on their surface, enabling them to act as pollution vectors. This results in a combined harmful effect from both the microplastics and the pollutants which are adsorbed on them. Among these pollutants, endocrine-disrupting compounds and personal care products, even at trace levels, are particularly concerning due to their detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems. Steroid hormones, a key group of endocrine disruptors, can enter the environment through treated wastewater and attach to MPs. On the other hand, UV filters from sunscreens, designed to protect against solar radiation, also pose a significant risk. A growing body of research has highlighted their potential effects on marine organisms, especially regarding bioaccumulation and biomagnification processes. For example, in the marine environment of Gran Canaria, these pollutants have been detected in significant concentrations in various organisms, raising concerns about their long-term ecological impacts.In this study, MPs from six beaches around the island of Gran Canaria were collected, classified, and analyzed monthly between January and April 2024. Emerging pollutants were assessed using ultrasonic assisted extraction and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UAE-UHPLC-MS/MS). The results indicated that the highest number of MPs was found on the beaches in the north and east of the island, with fragments being the dominant type of microplastic. Regarding the presence of adsorbed emerging pollutants, the highest concentrations of steroid hormones were detected on beaches near submarine discharges of treated wastewater, while UV filters were found in most of the beaches surveyed at higher concentrations than steroid hormones. This study underscores the need for ongoing monitoring and regulation to mitigate the impact of MPs and associated pollutants on marine ecosystems. Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/566795/document