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Levels of trace metals on microplastic particles in beach sediments of the island of Vis, Adriatic Sea, Croatia
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Plastic pellets from two beaches on the Croatian island of Vis were analyzed for eight trace metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn), finding concentrations substantially higher than reported ambient seawater values, indicating active metal sorption from the marine environment. The study provides evidence that Adriatic Sea plastic pellets accumulate trace metals at levels that could be transferred to marine organisms upon ingestion.
The aim of this study was to determine the levels of trace metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) in plastic pellets collected from two sandy beaches on the island of Vis, Croatia. A total of 92 pellets in a sediment volume of 3965 mL were collected at the investigated sampling sites. Concentrations of pellets in sediment samples ranged from 6 to 36 particles dm of wet sediment. Mean particle weight of the collected beached pellets ranged from 17 mg to 31 mg. Trace metal concentrations in plastic pellets were greater than the concentrations reported for seawater in the investigated area, which indicates that plastic pellets sorb metals from the marine environment. The adsorbed trace metals may enter the food chain due to incidental ingestion of microplastic particles by marine animals, which presents a potential human health risk due to consumption of seafood.
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Koncentracije metala u tragovima u morskoj vodi i na mikroplastici u sedimentu plaže Mala Martinska kod Šibenika
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This Croatian thesis measured trace metal concentrations in seawater and on microplastic particles from beach sediments at Mala Martinska near Sibenik, finding that microplastics adsorbed zinc, cadmium, lead, and copper from the surrounding marine environment. The study demonstrates that coastal microplastics act as concentrators of toxic metals in Adriatic beach sediments.
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