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Microplastics in sediments from the southern Gulf of Mexico: Abundance, distribution, composition, and adhered pollutants
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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.
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.
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Abundance and composition of microplastics in Tampico beach sediments, Tamaulipas State, southern Gulf of Mexico
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Researchers analyzed beach sediments from Tampico, Mexico, on the Gulf of Mexico coast and found microplastics present in all samples. The most common types were fragments and fibers made of polyethylene and polypropylene, and concentrations ranged from 256 to 2,830 particles per 20 grams of sediment. The study adds to growing evidence that microplastic contamination is widespread along Gulf of Mexico coastlines.
Ubiquity of microplastics in coastal seafloor sediments
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Researchers applied a novel method to quantify microplastic concentrations in seafloor sediments from 42 coastal sites across southeastern Australia. They found microplastics in all samples at an average concentration of 3.4 particles per milliliter of sediment, predominantly as filaments. The study demonstrates that microplastic contamination of coastal seafloor sediments is ubiquitous and that hydrological and sediment properties influence deposition patterns.
Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments: Insights into microplastic accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries
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Researchers surveyed microplastic abundance in beach sediments across seven locations in Mobile Bay, a northern Gulf of Mexico estuary. The study found microplastics were ubiquitous at concentrations 66 to 253 times higher than reported for the open ocean, with polypropylene and polyethylene being the most common polymers, highlighting the extent of microplastic accumulation in estuarine environments.
Assessment of microplastic pollution in the Gulf of Suez: Abundance and polymeric composition in beach sediments
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This study assessed microplastic abundance and polymer composition in sediments along the Gulf of Suez shores, identifying 268 microplastic particles with an average of 204.3 particles per kilogram of dry sediment, reflecting contamination from the region's intense shipping and industrial activities.
The current state of microplastic pollution in the world's largest gulf and its future directions
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This review critically assesses microplastic pollution research in the Gulf of Mexico, the world's largest gulf, covering 14 studies across water, sediment, and biota. Researchers found microplastic concentrations ranging widely across environmental compartments, with fragments being the most common shape and polyethylene the most prevalent polymer, and noted that 46 out of 100 fish species in the region are susceptible to microplastic ingestion.
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