Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Environmental Sources Marine & Wildlife Sign in to save

Microplastics in sediments from the southern Gulf of Mexico: Abundance, distribution, composition, and adhered pollutants

The Science of The Total Environment 2023 30 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 60 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

Merle M. Borges-Ramírez, Merle M. Borges-Ramírez, Fernando Morgado, Jaime Rendón–von Osten Jaime Rendón–von Osten Jaime Rendón–von Osten Merle M. Borges-Ramírez, Merle M. Borges-Ramírez, Jorge A. Benítez-Torres, Merle M. Borges-Ramírez, Merle M. Borges-Ramírez, Merle M. Borges-Ramírez, Merle M. Borges-Ramírez, Jaime Rendón–von Osten Jorge A. Benítez-Torres, Merle M. Borges-Ramírez, R. Isaac Rojas‐González, R. Isaac Rojas‐González, Merle M. Borges-Ramírez, Jaime Rendón–von Osten Jaime Rendón–von Osten Jaime Rendón–von Osten Fernando Morgado, Jaime Rendón–von Osten Jaime Rendón–von Osten Merle M. Borges-Ramírez, Jaime Rendón–von Osten Fernando Morgado, Merle M. Borges-Ramírez, Jaime Rendón–von Osten R. Isaac Rojas‐González, Jaime Rendón–von Osten Jaime Rendón–von Osten Merle M. Borges-Ramírez, Merle M. Borges-Ramírez, Jaime Rendón–von Osten Jaime Rendón–von Osten Jaime Rendón–von Osten Fernando Morgado, Merle M. Borges-Ramírez, Merle M. Borges-Ramírez, Merle M. Borges-Ramírez, Jaime Rendón–von Osten Jaime Rendón–von Osten Jaime Rendón–von Osten

Summary

Researchers analyzed microplastics in sediment samples from the southern Gulf of Mexico, covering over 26,000 square kilometers. They found an average of about 16 microplastic particles per kilogram of sediment, with fibers being the most common type, and detected heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons adhered to the plastic surfaces. The study highlights how microplastics in ocean sediments can act as carriers of additional toxic pollutants, compounding environmental and health risks.

Polymers

PA PE nylon

Study Type Environmental

Approximately 23 Mt of plastics reaches the ocean each year, fragmented into microplastics (MP). MPs are widely dispersed in the sea, becoming deposited in sediments. MPs are considered carriers of pollutants such as heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and, when ingested by biota, pose a high health risk. This study determined metals and PAHs in sedimentary microplastics from the southern Gulf of Mexico (GOM). One hundred twenty-four sediment samples were collected, covering an area of 26,220 km. The mean (±SD) of MPs in sediments was 16.46 ± 17.76 MPs/kg. The most abundant polymers were cellophane (CE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyethylene (PE), polyamides (PA), and nylon (NYL). A strong correlation (r: 0.83) was found between MP density and sediment depth. PA and PE were found near shorelines and PVDF near oil platforms. Aluminum, arsenic, and tin had the highest concentration (89.6 ± 94.6, 23.1 ± 70.3, and 19 ± 29.2 μg g, respectively), and acenaphthylene was the PAH with the highest concentration (3.4 ± 12.6 μg g). This study shows that MP with a higher density is found at greater depths, and this research is one of the first to cover a large area of the Gulf of Mexico.

Read via DOI PubMed

Share this paper

Post Share Share Pin Email