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Beached microplastics at the Bahia Blanca Estuary (Argentina): Plastic pellets as potential vectors of environmental pollution by POPs
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Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination along beaches of the Bahia Blanca Estuary in Argentina, finding an average of about 1,693 microplastic particles per kilogram of sediment. Plastic pellets, which are raw materials used in manufacturing, were particularly common and were found to carry persistent organic pollutants (POPs) on their surfaces. The study shows that microplastics on beaches can act as vehicles for toxic chemicals, potentially exposing both wildlife and people who use these coastal areas.
Microplastics (MPs) from the coastal areas of a highly anthropised estuary were sampled to assess their distribution in coastal sediments and their role as potential vectors of pollution. The average MP density was 1693 ± 2315 MPs/kg, which mainly accumulated in the high tide and storm berm areas of the beach. The Microplastic Pollution Index (MPPI), Microplastic Impact Coefficient (CMPI), Hierarchical Cluster Analysis and Principal Component Analysis revealed spatial variation in MPs pollution. High-density polyethylene plastic pellets were abundant at two beaches (192 ± 218 MPs/kg sediment). Furthermore, the presence of sorbed chemicals on pellets was assessed through GC-MS, showing 0.95 ± 0.09 ng/g of ∑7OCPs, 4.03 ± 0.89 ng/g of ∑7PCBs, 108.76 ± 12.88 ng/g of ∑16 PAHs and 122.79 ± 11.13 g/g of ∑29 PAHs. The sorption capacity of plastics, combined with their abundance, poses an environmental concern and also highlights their suitability as indicators of chemical exposure.
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Distribution of beached microplastics carrying pOPs at south atlantic estuary, argentina
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Researchers sampled large microplastics (>1 mm) and plastic resin pellets from the intertidal zone of a highly anthropized estuary in Buenos Aires province, Argentina, characterizing their distribution and quantifying sorbed persistent organic pollutants and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by GC-MS. Average concentrations reached 5,127 MPs/dm3 sediment, with HDPE confirmed as the dominant resin type and PAH levels reaching 122.79 ng/g pellet, highlighting the role of pellets as environmental indicators of chemical exposure.
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Researchers analyzed suspended particulate matter composition and microplastic characteristics in the inner zone of Bahia Blanca Estuary, Argentina during winter, finding that microplastics interact with metal ions in this heavily impacted coastal environment and documenting for the first time the combined contamination profile of this industrial waterway.
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Researchers sampled microplastic pellets from six beaches around Taiwan and measured concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (dioxins, PCBs, PBDEs) on their surfaces, finding that pellets accumulated significant POPs loads with concentrations that correlated with proximity to industrial areas.
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Researchers analyzed microplastic and antifouling paint particle contamination in coastal sediments at three locations along the southwestern Argentine Atlantic coast. Microplastic concentrations ranged from about 20 to over 1,000 particles per kilogram of sediment, with fibers and small particles dominating. The study provides baseline pollution data for an understudied region of South America, showing that even areas with varying levels of industrial development share significant microplastic contamination.
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