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Accumulation of Plastic Fragments and Microplastics on the Beaches in the South-east Baltic Sea
Summary
Sediment samples from beaches in the southeastern Baltic Sea (Kaliningrad region) were analyzed for microplastic content between mid-2015 and early 2016. The study characterized the types and quantities of plastic fragments (0.5-5 mm) at beaches with high anthropogenic influence.
The sediment sampling from different areas of the beaches in the south-eastern part of the Baltic Sea (in Kaliningrad region) was executed for the purpose of studying the quantitative and qualitative composition of the microplastics particles (range 0.5-5 mm). Preference is given to those beaches that are exposed to maximum anthropogenic pollution. From June, 2015 to January, 2016, there were 14 expeditions along the coastline of the Baltic Sea (in Kaliningrad region) to collect experimental materials. The majority of samples were collected on the most recent flotsam deposited at “wracklines”, in the supralittoral zone. The primary examination of those samples revealed the presence of abundant microplastic particles of the required size range (0.5-5 mm). Quantitative distribution of microplastics in beach sediments was obtained in milligrams per gram of sediment and milligrams per m2: on average 0.05-2.89 (mg per gram of sediment) and 370-7330 (mg per m2), accordingly.