We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastics Spatiotemporal Distribution and Abundance in Water and Sediments from the Bay of Marseille
AI summary Read the abstract
A two-year study of the Bay of Marseille found microplastics in both surface waters and sediments across all seven sampling stations, with concentrations varying by season and location. Urban runoff and proximity to the coastline were associated with higher microplastic levels. The Mediterranean Sea, heavily bordered by dense populations, continues to show widespread and persistent microplastic contamination.
The Bay of Marseille (North-western Mediterranean Sea, France) is bordered by an over urbanised coastline and faces high anthropogenic pressure. We studied the spatiotemporal concentration of microplastics (MP) in surface waters and sediments during spring and autumn 2020 and 2021, at seven stations in the Bay. The locations are representative of contrasted environments regarding hydrodynamics and proximity with the urbanized areas. Microplastics were extracted and counted with an improved, ecological protocol from 27 surface water samples and 16 sediments samples. We observed MP contamination with an average concentration of 5.83± 1.97 MP.m-3 in surface water and of 865±63 MP.kg dry sediment -1 in sediments. Water concentration ranged from 0.47 ± 0.09 MP.m-3 to 72.66±18.16 MP.m-3 and sediment concentration ranged from 405±106 MP.kg dry sediment -1 to 1490±127 MP.kg dry sediment-1. The characterization of MP in water and sediment demonstrate the dominance of 1mm size elements, belonging mostly to fibre type. Concentrations in water and sediments do not exhibit any spatial trend. Likewise, seasonal and interannual temporal variation is absent, except in spring 2020 with an abnormal high water microplastic concentration (in average 22.47±8.85 MP.m-3). We suggest that accumulation and transport of MP are mainly linked to meteorologic and hydrodynamic features of the Bay of Marseille (i.e., precipitations, wind regimes, intrusion of the Northern Current and Rhône's plume, west swell). The hydrodynamical model MARS3D-RHOMA-ECO-3M was used to test the influence of these forcing on the MP concentration during the study period. While the Northern Current and the precipitations (and therefore runoff) seem to have no influence on the MP distribution, our study shows the influence of the north wind regime to favour MP dispersion outside the Bay and the influence of the Rhône plume's intrusion into the Bay and the south-east wind regime to promote MP accumulation. Also see: https://micro2022.sciencesconf.org/427359/document
More Papers Like This
CONTAMINATION BY MICROPLASTICS IN THE BAY OF MARSEILLE (Gulf of Lion, France): AN INTEGRATIVE DIAGNOSIS FROM THE SURFACE TO THE SEAFLOOR
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted an integrative biannual survey of microplastic distribution in the Bay of Marseille from 2020 to 2023, measuring concentrations in surface waters, the water column, and surface sediments at 15 stations, and also constructing a historical contamination record back to the 1950s from a sediment core. Mean concentrations of 5.83 MPs/m3 in surface waters and 865 MPs/kg dry sediment were found, with no statistically significant spatiotemporal trends except in one winter survey, highlighting the need to include all marine compartments to avoid underestimating total microplastic stocks.
Microplastics spatiotemporal distribution and variability in marine habitats along the North-Western Mediterranean coastal waters.
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers assessed microplastic spatiotemporal distribution across multiple Mediterranean marine habitat types including water surface, sediment, and biota, revealing significant variability by location and season. The multi-compartment approach showed that no single habitat type captures the full extent of microplastic contamination.
Characterization of floating microplastic contamination in the bay of Marseille (French Mediterranean Sea) and its impact on zooplankton and mussels
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers characterized floating microplastics in the Bay of Marseille across three seasons from 2016 to 2018, sampling six sites near river mouths, treatment plants, and a marine protected area, and assessed microplastic ingestion by zooplankton and caged mussels. A hydrodynamic model was used to analyze how oceanographic conditions drive microplastic dispersal across this heavily urbanized Mediterranean bay.
Contamination by microplastics in the Bay of Marseille (Gulf of Lion, France): an integrative diagnosis from the surface to depth
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted an integrative assessment of microplastic contamination across all marine compartments of the Bay of Marseille - from surface waters to depth - addressing the 'Missing Plastic Paradox' caused by studies that focus only on surface measurements. The study combined surface sampling with water column and sediment analysis to produce a comprehensive estimate of microplastic stocks in the Mediterranean's Gulf of Lion.
An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that micro- and mesoplastic debris were widely and uniformly distributed across the Western Mediterranean Sea, with average surface concentrations of approximately 130,000 microplastic particles per km2 and 5,700 mesoplastic particles per km2. Fragment morphology and polymer composition analysis indicated a predominantly land-based origin for the debris.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.