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Presence of microplastics in shipwrecks along the continental shelf of the state of Pernambuco – Brazil
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Researchers found microplastics in sediments surrounding every one of six shipwrecks examined on the continental shelf of Brazil, with nylon fibres being the most common type. The study shows that even remote, deep-water habitats far from shore are accumulating microplastic pollution, and suggests that wrecks may act as collection points that concentrate these particles on the seafloor.
This study analyses the microplastics in the sediment of areas surrounding shipwrecks on the Continental Shelf of Pernambuco, North eastern Brazil. The sediment collection was carried out around six wrecks. Flotation methodology was used to separate the possible microplastics from the sediment. Microplastics were classified by type and colour. Of the 6 shipwrecks analysed, 413 microplastic items were identified, with nylon fibre predominating. Fibres of blue colour were the most frequent, totalling 48.4%. The presence of microplastics in shipwrecks shows that this environment, even far from the coast, is subject to human activity. The accumulation of microplastics in the sediments surrounding the shipwrecks may pose a risk to marine life.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.