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Stormwater outlets: A source of microplastics in coastal zones of Cape Town, South Africa
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Sampling of coastal water, sediment, and biota near Cape Town stormwater outlets in both dry and wet seasons found microplastics in all matrices, confirming urban stormwater runoff as a significant pathway for microplastic delivery to coastal zones.
The runoff from stormwater outlets are potential sources of microplastics (MPs) in coastal zones. The characteristics and concentrations of MPs in coastal water, sediment and biota (mussels, whelks and sea urchins) were measured in summer (2020/2021) (dry season) and winter (2021) (wet season) from three sites (Camps Bay, Mouille Point and Three Anchor Bay) in Cape Town. MPs were characterised visually using a stereo microscope and chemically using spectroscopy. MP concentrations were higher in water and sediment during winter, and higher in biota in summer. Compared to control sites, MPs were higher at all impact sites sampled. MPs extracted were mainly black polyester (PEST) fibres, 1000 to 2000 μm in length averaging 0.15 MPs/L in water, 52.11 MPs/kg dry weight in sediment and 1.35 MPs/g soft tissue wet weight in biota. The results indicate that coastal stormwater systems are potential sources of MPs in the coastal environment of Cape Town.
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Characteristics and pollution risks of microplastics in coastal invertebrates adjacent to stormwater outlets of Cape Town
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Researchers compared microplastic abundance and pollution risk indices in mussels, sea urchins, and whelks adjacent to stormwater outlets in Cape Town across wet and dry seasons, finding higher microplastic loads during the dry season at impact sites with fibers and polyester-cotton blends predominating, implicating stormwater runoff as a key pathway.
Characteristics and pollution risks of microplastics in coastal invertebrates adjacent to stormwater outlets of Cape Town
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Researchers compared microplastic abundance and pollution risk indices in mussels, sea urchins, and whelks adjacent to stormwater outlets in Cape Town across wet and dry seasons, finding higher microplastic loads during the dry season at impact sites with fibers and polyester-cotton blends predominating, implicating stormwater runoff as a key pathway.
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