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Microplastic content variation in water column: The observations employing a novel sampling tool in stratified Baltic Sea
Summary
Researchers developed a novel sampling tool capable of collecting several cubic metres of water from predefined depth layers down to 100 m and used it to investigate microplastic distribution in the stratified Baltic Sea during spring thermocline formation. They found strong vertical microplastic stratification at all stations, with fibre-rich surface layers near terrestrial sources and offshore variability linked to thermohaline structure.
A new tool was developed for microplastics (MPs) investigation in the water column. It can collect several cubic meters of water from predefined water layers down to 100 m. The tool was tested in the Baltic Sea during the period of spring thermocline formation. Strong MPs stratification was observed at all of the sampled stations. On coastal stations (~30 m deep), stratification with high fibers content was associated with the proximity of terrestrial sources and estuarine discharges, while on off-shore stations the variability of MPs was related to vertical thermohaline structure. Mean MPs content was the 32.2 (SD 50.4) pcs/m. Elevated MPs concentrations were observed in subsurface, near-bottom and thermohaline layers compared with intermediate layers. The heterogeneity of MPs distribution suggests that MPs particles can be retained above the density-gradient layers in coastal seas and the World Ocean.