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Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Environmental Sources Sign in to save

Characteristics and Seasonal Distribution of Microplastics in the Surface Waters of Southwest Coast of the Caspian Sea (Guilan Province, Iran)

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 2021 23 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count.
Majid Rasta, Mohammad Reza Rahimibashar, Arash Ershad, Hor Torabi Jafroudi, Shahryar Tagheipour Kouhbane

Summary

Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in surface waters along the southwest coast of the Caspian Sea in Iran across four seasons, finding an average of over 1,000 microplastic particles per cubic meter. Concentrations varied by season and location, with fibers being the most common type found.

Polymers
PP

The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence, abundance and distribution of microplastics (MPs) in the southwest coast of the Caspian Sea in four seasons. Three stations were chosen and their surface waters were sampled between April 2019 and February 2020. The average number of MPs was 1.37 ± 0.47 items/m and the predominant frequency in different seasons were as follows: summer > autumn > spring > winter. MPs were dominated by fiber in shape. Black and blue were the most common colors respectively. The size was in the range of 0.3-5 mm with a mean of 1.44 ± 1.08 mm. Due to Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy equipped with attenuated total reflection (ATR-FTIR), four different polymers were identified dominating by polypropylene. The low MP concentrations detected in the present study can be related to lower sewage inlet and more MPs sedimentation in the investigated stations.

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