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Macrophytes: A Temporary Sink for Microplastics in Transitional Water Systems
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Researchers found microplastics in 94% of macrophyte samples from two northern Adriatic lagoons, with contamination levels ranging from 0.16 to 330 items/g fresh weight showing a site-specific rather than species-specific pattern, and exopolysaccharides on macrophyte surfaces acting as glue to trap plastic particles.
Marine macrophytes are hypothesized to be a major temporary sink for microplastics. In this study, microplastic contamination was investigated in 15 macroalgal species and one seagrass from different sites in two lagoons of the northern Adriatic Sea: the Goro lagoon and the Venice lagoon. A high percentage (94%) of the macrophyte samples contained microplastics, ranging from 0.16 to 330 items g−1 fw, with the prevalent size in the range 30–90 µm and an average contamination per unit of fresh weight of 14 items g−1 fw. Microplastic contamination displayed a site-specific, rather than a species-specific, pattern of accumulation. In addition, exopolysaccharides (EPS) displayed a significant positive correlation with the microplastics ononcontamination on macrophytes acting as glue for the plastic particles available in the water column.
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Researchers quantified microplastic densities on the surfaces of three marine macrophyte species (two macroalgae and one seagrass) collected in situ, finding measurable contamination on all species. The results suggest that macrophytes may serve as an important but underappreciated pathway for microplastics to enter marine food webs.
Macrophyte Beds as Microplastic Traps in Freshwater Environment
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Researchers investigated how freshwater macrophyte beds trap microplastic particles, finding that plant morphology, particle density, and the adhesive properties of periphyton biofilms all contribute to retention rates ranging from 22% to 100% depending on species and particle type.
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Researchers found that marine macrophytes such as seagrass and algae retain microplastics within their structures and accumulate them in surrounding sediments, acting as an underrecognized biological sink for plastic particles. This study highlights coastal vegetation as both a trapping mechanism and an indicator of local microplastic contamination.
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Researchers investigated how microplastic particle size and polymer type affect entrapment by freshwater macrophytes, finding that certain aquatic plant species preferentially intercepted specific particle sizes and that plant morphology determined capture efficiency across MPs of varying dimensions.
Comprehensive Analysis of Microplastic Abundance in Macrophytes, Macrophyte-Associated Sediments, and Water in Tropical Coastal Lagoons in Sri Lanka
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Researchers examined how much microplastic accumulates in aquatic plants (macrophytes) in a tropical coastal lagoon in Sri Lanka, finding that seaweeds like Gracilaria contained up to 9 microplastic particles per gram of wet weight. Fragments dominated in plant tissues while fibers were more common in sediment and water, with PET identified as a key polymer. The study underscores that macrophytes are not just passive bystanders — they actively trap microplastics, making them important indicators of coastal plastic pollution.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.