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Floating microplastic distribution in surface water of the Venice Lagoon and its drainage basin (Italy)
Summary
Researchers mapped floating microplastic distribution in the surface water of the Venice Lagoon and identified connections to the broader Adriatic Sea through tidal exchange. The lagoon was found to export microplastics to the Adriatic, making it a regional source rather than a simple sink.
Microplastics are an emerging contaminant increasingly present and widespread in various ecosystems and habitats. In recent years, numerous research projects focused on the study of their potential sources, distribution, characteristics, and negative effects on the marine environment and biota. Despite these efforts, there are still lacks of information on the presence and fate of this pollutant in the aquatic environments, particularly as regards the specific pathways. Coastal lagoons are transitional environments of great ecological and socio-economic importance as they represent biodiversity hotspots and provide valuable ecosystem services. However, these environments are subject to various human pressures, including microplastics pollution. In this study, a year-long investigation was carried out on the presence of floating microplastics in the waters of the Venice Lagoon and, for the first time, in its drainage basin. To this aim, the presence of floating microplastics was evaluated in 15 lagoon sites and 12 drainage basin sites over 12 months on seasonal basis, carrying out 4 sampling campaigns. Samplings were performed using two different methodologies: the manta trawls in lagoon sites and the immersion pump in the drainage basin sites. The presence of microplastics was detected in all collected samples. A higher concentration of microplastics was found in the drainage basin sites compared to the lagoon ones. This result could be explained by the proximity of microplastic sources in the freshwater environment, such as urban, agricultural, and industrial centers. Furthermore, the northern part of the drainage basin, corresponding to the main tributaries of the Lagoon, showed generally highest concentrations with respect to the southern one. In general, a pattern of contamination is highlighted from the inland to the coast. This research was funded by ARPAV, Regional Agency for Environmental Protection and Prevention of the Veneto, in the framework of the BSL 6. Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/558517/document