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Monitoring macro-litter and microplastics in the Venice coastal area (Italy): evaluation of their distribution and potential sources
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Researchers combined acoustic remote sensing to locate macro-litter on the seafloor and in the water column with microplastic sampling to evaluate marine litter contamination in the Venice coastal area of Italy. The integrated approach assessed distribution patterns, potential pollution sources, and the relationship between macro-litter and microplastic generation in a high-traffic coastal zone.
Marine litter, particularly plastics, constitutes a substantial and escalating marine pollutant, posing a global challenge. The degradation of macro-litter through diverse physical, chemical, and biological processes culminates in the generation of micro-litter, commonly known as microplastics. The objective of our study is to evaluate marine litter contamination employing acoustic remote sensing for identifying regions of macro-litter presence on the seafloor and water column and assessing microplastic concentrations across various environmental matrices: water, sediment, and biota (e.g. mussels and fish). This research contributes to the Integrated Environmental Assessment foreseen by the European project H2020 MAELSTROM (Smart technology for MArinE Litter SusTainable RemOval and Management). The monitoring of macro-litter and microplastic distribution was carried out at two sites in the Venice coastal area: an abandoned mussel farm offshore and a lagoon site, both facing considerable anthropogenic impacts. Findings reveal substantial marine litter accumulation in both sites. The analyses of the litter highlighted different types of items: predominantly aquaculture-related debris (e.g. ropes, nets, mooring blocks, and floating buoys) dominates the mussel farm area, while the Venice lagoon site showcases litter mainly sourced from urban activities and the city itself (e.g. car tires, crates, wrecks, etc.). Microplastics are present across all matrices and sites, with higher concentrations within the lagoon site. Furthermore, discernible distinctions in microplastic characteristics between the two sites correspond to the different macro-litter composition prevalent in each area. Consequently, the distribution of marine litter is intrinsically linked to the prevailing anthropogenic use of each site encompassing fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, and waste management endeavors. This research was co-funded under the EU H2020 Project "Smart technology for Marine Litter SusTainable RemOval and Management" MAELSTROM (GA n. 101000832). Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/558483/document
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