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Neustonic microplastic pollution in the Persian Gulf
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Researchers conducted the first comprehensive survey of microplastic pollution in the surface waters of the Persian Gulf, sampling 15 stations. They found microplastics at every station, with fibers being the most common shape and polyethylene and polypropylene making up about 76% of all particles identified. The study confirms widespread microplastic contamination in the Persian Gulf and calls for further investigation into the effects on marine life and human health in the region.
Currently, microplastics are a major challenge threatening marine environment. Given little information on their prevalence in the Persian Gulf, the present study as the first comprehensive study was conducted to evaluate microplastics abundance in surface waters. Neustonic samples were collected from 15 stations along the Persian Gulf. Visually separated microplastics were categorized according to their size, shape, and color. ATR-FTIR method was used to identify the composition of polymers. Microplastics were found in all sampling stations and their density varied from 1.5 × 10 to 4.6 × 10 particle.km with a mean density of 1.8 × 10 particle.km. Fibers were the most dominant shape of microplastics (44.1%). Approximately 76% of the analyzed microplastics were polyethylene and polypropylene and the predominant colors of the microplastics were white and blue. Results of the study confirmed prevalence of microplastics in the Persian Gulf, and findings suggested a pressing need to investigate their effects on marine life and human health.
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