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Microplastic pollution in the littoral sediments of the northern part of the Oman Sea
Summary
Researchers conducted the first assessment of microplastic pollution in littoral sediments of the northern Oman Sea, finding MPs at all eight sampling stations at abundances of 138.3 to 930.3 particles per kg. Polyethylene was the dominant polymer, with fibers and fragments the most common shapes, establishing a baseline and underscoring the need for improved waste management and environmental protection in the region.
Microplastics (MPs) have been increasingly detected as environmental pollutants in the marine systems. Currently, there is no information about the microplastic pollution in the littoral sediments of the northern Oman Sea, and this problem was addressed in the present study for the first time. Sediment samples were collected at eight sampling stations. MPs were extracted by the flotation method and then, counted and categorized according to their shape, size, and color. Composition of the MPs was determined by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. MPs were observed in all the stations and their abundance ranged from 138.3 ± 4.5 to 930.3 ± 49.1 particles·kg. The major polymer constituent was Polyethylene, followed by Polypropylene, and Nylon. Fibers and fragments were dominant shapes of the MPs. Our results confirmed the prevalence of the MPs as anthropogenic pollutants in the area and highlighted the importance of management actions and education on environmental protection for reduction of the marine debris.