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Spatial variability in the concentrations of metals in beached microplastics

Marine Pollution Bulletin 2017 272 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 45 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

Marcela Corrêa Vedolin, Marcela Corrêa Vedolin, Marcela Corrêa Vedolin, Alexander Turra Marcela Corrêa Vedolin, Alexander Turra Alexander Turra Alexander Turra Alexander Turra C.Y.S. Teophilo, Marcela Corrêa Vedolin, C.Y.S. Teophilo, Alexander Turra Alexander Turra Alexander Turra Marcela Corrêa Vedolin, Alexander Turra Alexander Turra Alexander Turra Alexander Turra Alexander Turra Alexander Turra Alexander Turra Alexander Turra Alexander Turra Alexander Turra Alexander Turra Rubens César Lopes Figueira, Rubens César Lopes Figueira, Alexander Turra Alexander Turra Alexander Turra Alexander Turra Alexander Turra Alexander Turra Alexander Turra Alexander Turra Alexander Turra Alexander Turra Alexander Turra Alexander Turra Alexander Turra Alexander Turra Rubens César Lopes Figueira, Alexander Turra Alexander Turra Alexander Turra

Summary

This study measured heavy metal concentrations in microplastic pellets collected from 19 beaches in Brazil, finding that beach pellets had significantly higher metal loads than virgin plastic pellets. The results confirm that microplastics accumulate metals from seawater over time, increasing their potential toxicity to marine organisms.

Heavy metals and microplastics have been considered as threats to the marine environment and the interactions between these two pollutants are poorly understood. This study investigates the interactions between metals adsorbed in pellets collected randomly from 19 beaches along the coast of São Paulo State in southeastern Brazil, comparing these levels with those in virgin pellets. The samples were analyzed for Al, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Sn, Ti and Zn by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The polymers were solubilized via acid digestion. The highest levels occurred with Fe (227.78mgkg - Itaguaré) and Al (45.27mgkg - Guaraú) in the same areas, which are closer to the Port of Santos. The metal adsorption on pellets collected is greater than that on virgin pellets. In this context, pellets can be considered to be a carrier for the transport of metals in the environment, even in small quantities.

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