We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Seagrass beds reveal high abundance of microplastic in sediments: A case study in the Baltic Sea
Summary
Seagrass bed sediments in the Baltic Sea were found to harbor significantly higher microplastic concentrations than surrounding bare sediments, indicating that seagrass canopies trap and accumulate microplastics and may be underappreciated hotspots of contamination.
Microplastic (MPL) contamination in the marine environment is extensively studied yet little is known about the extent of MPL abundance in seagrass beds. The aim of this study was to evaluate MPL accumulation in coastal seagrass (Zostera marina) beds in the Baltic Sea, Estonia. Surface water was sampled by pumping using 40 μm plankton net, and sediments by trowel. MPL was extracted with NaCl, identified by microscopy and ATR-FTIR on selected samples. Surface water in the seagrass beds had 0.04-1.2 (median 0.14) MPL/L, similar to other areas of the Baltic Sea. Sediments had 0-1817 (median 208) MPL/kg (dwt), much higher than previously recorded from adjacent unvegetated and offshore sediments, thereby suggesting a strong ability of the sediments in seagrass beds to retain MPL. Of identified MPL, blue fibres were dominant in both the sampled media. Sediment characterization showed a correlation between MPL counts with poorly sorted sediments.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Seagrass beds acting as a trap of microplastics - Emerging hotspot in the coastal region?
Seagrass beds in coastal waters were found to trap and accumulate microplastics at higher concentrations than surrounding unvegetated sediments, acting as effective sinks for plastic particles due to their dense canopy structure. This positions seagrass meadows as emerging hotspots of microplastic contamination in coastal ecosystems.
Trapping of microplastics and other anthropogenic particles in seagrass beds: Ubiquity across a vertical and horizontal sampling gradient
Researchers examined how seagrass beds trap microplastics and other anthropogenic particles by sampling along a vegetation cover gradient from dense beds to less vegetated patches. The study found that seagrass vegetation enhances the accumulation of plastic debris in both sediment and among plant structures. Evidence indicates that seagrass ecosystems act as significant sinks for microplastic pollution, with implications for the organisms that depend on these habitats.
Microplastics in the seagrass ecosystems: A critical review
This review critically assessed microplastic contamination in seagrass ecosystems worldwide, finding that these nearshore habitats accumulate significant plastic pollution due to their proximity to human activities and the trapping effect of submerged vegetation.
The role of seagrass meadows in the accumulation of microplastics: Insights from a South African estuary
Researchers investigated whether seagrass meadows accumulate microplastics in a South African estuary, finding no significant difference in microplastic abundance between seagrass sediments and adjacent bare sediments at the small spatial scale studied.
A critical synthesis of seagrass meadows as microplastic sinks: Current trends and research gaps
This systematic review of 84 studies finds that seagrass meadows act as natural traps for microplastics, accumulating higher concentrations in their sediments than surrounding areas. While this filtering role may protect open waters, it also means these important coastal ecosystems are bearing a disproportionate burden of plastic pollution.