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Contamination by microplastics in the Bay of Marseille (Gulf of Lion, France): an integrative diagnosis from the surface to depth
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Researchers conducted an integrative assessment of microplastic contamination across all marine compartments of the Bay of Marseille - from surface waters to depth - addressing the 'Missing Plastic Paradox' caused by studies that focus only on surface measurements. The study combined surface sampling with water column and sediment analysis to produce a comprehensive estimate of microplastic stocks in the Mediterranean's Gulf of Lion.
Microplastics (MP) contaminate all marine compartments, from the surface to the deep sea. However, accurately estimating MP stock in marine environments overall remains challenging, as the water column and the sediment remain largely understudied. Most studies focus only on MP present at the surface, leading to an observational bias that could contribute to the M̈issing Plastic Paradox.̈ The Mediterranean Sea is assumed to concentrate about 7 Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/564621/document
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Contamination by microplastics in the Bay of Marseille (Gulf of Lion, France): an integrative diagnosis from the surface to depth
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Researchers conducted an integrative assessment of microplastic contamination in the Bay of Marseille (Gulf of Lion) from the surface to the seafloor, addressing the observational bias caused by studies that focus only on surface waters and contributing to resolving the 'Missing Plastic Paradox' in the Mediterranean Sea.
CONTAMINATION BY MICROPLASTICS IN THE BAY OF MARSEILLE (Gulf of Lion, France): AN INTEGRATIVE DIAGNOSIS FROM THE SURFACE TO THE SEAFLOOR
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Researchers conducted an integrative biannual survey of microplastic distribution in the Bay of Marseille from 2020 to 2023, measuring concentrations in surface waters, the water column, and surface sediments at 15 stations, and also constructing a historical contamination record back to the 1950s from a sediment core. Mean concentrations of 5.83 MPs/m3 in surface waters and 865 MPs/kg dry sediment were found, with no statistically significant spatiotemporal trends except in one winter survey, highlighting the need to include all marine compartments to avoid underestimating total microplastic stocks.
Microplastics Spatiotemporal Distribution and Abundance in Water and Sediments from the Bay of Marseille
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A two-year study of the Bay of Marseille found microplastics in both surface waters and sediments across all seven sampling stations, with concentrations varying by season and location. Urban runoff and proximity to the coastline were associated with higher microplastic levels. The Mediterranean Sea, heavily bordered by dense populations, continues to show widespread and persistent microplastic contamination.
Microplastics spatiotemporal distribution and variability in marine habitats along the North-Western Mediterranean coastal waters.
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Researchers assessed microplastic spatiotemporal distribution across multiple Mediterranean marine habitat types including water surface, sediment, and biota, revealing significant variability by location and season. The multi-compartment approach showed that no single habitat type captures the full extent of microplastic contamination.
An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea
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Researchers found that micro- and mesoplastic debris were widely and uniformly distributed across the Western Mediterranean Sea, with average surface concentrations of approximately 130,000 microplastic particles per km2 and 5,700 mesoplastic particles per km2. Fragment morphology and polymer composition analysis indicated a predominantly land-based origin for the debris.
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