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Microplastic contamination of intertidal sediments of Scapa Flow, Orkney: A first assessment
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Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in intertidal sediments of Scapa Flow, Orkney — a relatively remote Scottish island — finding contamination levels comparable to heavily industrialized mainland UK sites, demonstrating that geographic remoteness and small local populations do not reliably predict lower microplastic pollution.
The concentration of microplastic particles and fibres was determined in the intertidal sediments at selected sites in Scapa Flow, Orkney, using a super-saturated NaCl flotation technique to extract the plastic and FT-IR spectroscopy to determine the polymer types. Mean concentrations were 730 and 2300kg sediment (DW), respectively. Detailed spatial and quantitative analysis revealed that their distribution was a function of proximity to populated areas and associated wastewater effluent, industrial installations, degree of shore exposure and complex tidal flow patterns. Sediment samples from Orkney showed similar levels of microplastic contamination as in two highly populate industrialized mainland UK areas, The Clyde and the Firth of Forth. It was concluded that relative remoteness and a comparative small island population are not predictors of lower microplastic pollution. Furthermore, a larger concerted effort across Scotland and the UK is required to establish a baseline microplastic database for the evaluation of future policy measures.
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Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.