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Distribution and abundance of microplastics in coastal sediments depends on grain size and distance from sources
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A large survey of intertidal and subtidal sediments at protected coastal sites in Ireland found microplastics at 87 locations with concentrations correlated to sediment grain size and distance from urbanized areas, suggesting that even habitats within conservation zones accumulate significant microplastic loads from diffuse regional sources.
Microplastic deposition in marine sediments is a geographically widespread problem. This study examines microplastics in intertidal and subtidal sediments at 87 locations in habitats designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) on the coastline of Ireland. Established methodological approaches including, organic matter digestion, density separation, particle extraction and polymer identification were applied. Microplastic abundance was closely related with distance from known sources and concentrations were greater in intertidal as opposed to subtidal sediments. Colourless, polyethylene fibres and polypropylene fragments were the most abundant MP recorded and finer grained sediments were shown to entrap more MPs than coarser sediments. The results demonstrate that an understanding of potential sources of pollution, sediment type and hydrodynamic conditions are very important in terms of MP abundance and distribution in marine sediments and also in terms of effective waste management strategies and policy aimed at reducing the global plastics problem.
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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.