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Microplastics in marine sediments in the area of Pianosa Island (Central Adriatic Sea)
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Microplastics were found in all 20 sediment samples collected at depths of 119–142 m near Pianosa Island in the Adriatic Sea, with nylon (53%) and polyethylene (18%) dominating, likely originating from fishing and maritime vessel activity rather than coastal runoff. The pervasive contamination of deep offshore sediments underscores that microplastics accumulate far from shore, threatening deep-sea ecosystems.
We investigated the occurrence of plastic contamination in sediments collected in the area of Pianosa Island (Adriatic Sea). In November 2015, 20 sediment samples were collected at depth varying between 119 and 142 m. At the laboratory, plastic debris in samples were weighted, measured and classified into dimensional groups, and categorized according to shape. Polymer types were identified using FT-IR analysis. All sediment samples contained plastics. In terms of numerical abundance, microplastics accounted for 64.4% of the total amount found. Filaments (66%) were the most common shape category. Identification through FT-IR spectroscopy evidenced the presence of 6 polymer types. Considering abundance, the majority of plastic debris were nylon (53.2%), followed by polyethylene (18%). By weight, polyethylene (61.4%) was the most represented polymer type, followed by polypropylene (19.6%). Because the distance from the coast, we hypothesize that plastics could be originated from marine-based sources including fishing vessels, merchant vessels and recreational boats.
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