We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Plastic litter in aquatic environments of Maremma Regional Park (Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy): Contribution by the Ombrone river and levels in marine sediments
Summary
Researchers surveyed plastic litter in sediments along the Ombrone river and adjacent marine areas in Maremma Regional Park, Italy, finding microplastic concentrations ranging from 45 to 1,069 items per kg dry sample, with agricultural activity identified as a significant local source.
During two surveys in 2015 and 2016, sediments samples were collected along the Ombrone river (Maremma Regional Park, province of Grosseto, Italy), in particular at its mouth and in the marine area in front of it, in order to quantify, identify and categorize plastic items (macro, meso and micro-plastics and colour, material etc.) and evaluate their potential sources. The Albegna and Osa rivers were identified as external areas of comparison. The results of the analysis showed different situations, especially as regards fluvial inputs, in addition to evidencing local provisions of plastic material derived from agricultural activities. The microplastics values per kg of sediment and the prevailing type of items found largely varied between the investigated sites (45-1069items/kg dry sample).