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Research vessel survey & assessment of surface marine microplastics: a comparative study between international water and the united arab emirates
Summary
Researchers conducted ship-based surveys to assess the diversity and abundance of microplastics in surface seawater, comparing results across different oceanic regions and collection methods. The study identified significant variability in microplastic concentrations related to proximity to land and shipping routes.
Microplastics, defined as plastic particles smaller than 5mm in size, have emerged as a global environmental concern due to their ubiquity and potential adverse effects on marine ecosystems and human health. This survey aims to assess the diversity and the abundance of microplastics in surface seawater across International & the United Arab Emirates waters during the Research vessel cruise from Vigo, Spain to Abu Dhabi. The study employed a systematic sampling approach, collecting 42 water samples from international waters and 58 from UAE waters during the period of Nov to Dec 2022 to test the presence of microplastic. The results were categorized by size and type of polymers, using advanced analytical techniques, including Flow cam and FTIR spectroscopy with attached Microscope. The predominant size range of microplastics in both waters was found to be ¿5 to 50μm, constituting over 93 Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/543468/document