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Metals' Adsorption Onto Environmental Microplastics at Shoreline Sediments
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Metal adsorption onto microplastics collected from shoreline environments was measured, revealing that weathered plastic particles accumulate heavy metals like lead, copper, and zinc. The results confirm that shoreline microplastics act as metal-enriched vectors that could pose risks to organisms ingesting them.
ABSTRACT This study assessed trace element concentrations and microplastic (MP) contamination in three sandy beaches on the southern coast of Ilha Grande (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). Environmental MPs were manually extracted from sand samples, and beaches were classified using the microplastic pollution index (MPPI). Polymer types (PE, PP, and PS) were identified by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The presence of chemical elements in MPs and household plastics was investigated using micro‐XRF (M4‐Tornado). Additionally, elemental concentrations in sand were determined via energy‐dispersive x‐ray fluorescence (Epsilon1 Academia), detecting macro (Si, Mg, Al, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, and Fe) and trace elements (Ni, Cu, Zn, Br, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, and Pb). In summer, Dois Rios beach showed low MPPI values, while Santo Antônio and Lopes Mendes were moderately polluted. In winter, Lopes Mendes reached a very high pollution level, while the others remained moderate. Fragments were the predominant MP morphotype (49%). Results highlight the significant presence of MPs, with preliminary evidence of higher concentrations in the dry season. Although this observation requires confirmation by additional campaigns, the findings demonstrate that MPs act as vectors for potentially toxic elements, influenced by polymer type and environmental conditions, reinforcing their role in contaminant dynamics within marine ecosystems.
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