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Polymer Composition and Comparative Analysis of Microplastic Contamination in Tripoli Port Sediments
Summary
Researchers collected sediment samples from three locations along the coast of Tripoli Port in Libya over a year and characterized microplastic abundance, shape, size, and polymer type, finding polyethylene as the dominant polymer and widespread contamination across all sampling sites.
Abstract Microplastic pollution is considered a significant global environmental problem due to its persistence, prevalence, and adverse effects on ecosystems. This study examined the abundance, composition, and spatial distribution of microplastics at three different locations (A, B, and C) along the coast of the Port of Tripoli, Libya. Sediment samples collected between May 2022 and May 2023 were processed through sieving and density separation; microplastics were identified under a stereomicroscope, and polymer analyses were conducted using FTIR spectroscopy. The findings show that polyethylene (PE) was the predominant polymer across all sites, followed by polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS). Microplastic density was directly related to human activities, tourism, and industrial impacts, with the highest values recorded at Location A. The study highlights the importance of targeted waste management, coastal regulations, and awareness-raising programs to reduce microplastic pollution, and provides baseline data for future monitoring and assessment studies.
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