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Integrated approach for microplastic pollution assessment in the North-East Sardinia (Tyrrhenian Sea).
Summary
Researchers performed an integrated assessment of microplastic pollution across surface water, sediments, and biota collected from ports, coastal areas, and marine protected zones along the geomorphologically diverse northeast coast of Sardinia in the Tyrrhenian Sea. The multi-matrix approach revealed spatial patterns in microplastic contamination and enabled ecological risk assessment for this ecologically and economically important Mediterranean coastal region.
Microplastics (MPs) pollution in coastal areas depends on multiple factors, therefore, integration of data from different environmental matrices, is required to better understand MPs distribution and the ecological risk related to their occurrence in marine ecosystem. To this end, for the first time, an exhaustive assessment of MPs contamination in the Northeast coasts of Sardinia Island (Tyrrhenian Sea), characterized by high geomorphological variability and ecological-economical value was performed. MPs were analysed in surface water, sediment and biota collected from ports, areas close to mussels and fish farms, and marine protected areas (MPA). Obtained data were elaborated and integrated through a quantitative Weight of Evidence model providing an overall risk assessment of MPs pollution in the investigated areas. Results showed a global average abundance of 0.25±0.22 items/m3 surface water, 17.0±21.7 items/kg sediment, 1.47 ± 0.63 MPs/organism. However, higher levels in the abiotic matrices were measured in Olbia Port than Golfo Aranci and Tavolara-Punta Coda Cavallo MPA, respectively north and south from the harbour of Olbia entrance. In contrast, the highest percentage of organisms ingesting MPs was calculated for MPA (45 Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/558724/document