We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastic abundance, distribution and composition along a latitudinal gradient in the Atlantic Ocean
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers sampled sub-surface waters along a transect from the Bay of Biscay to Cape Town and found microplastics throughout the Atlantic Ocean, with the highest concentrations in the subtropical gyres. The study documents the latitudinal gradient of microplastic distribution in the Atlantic and identifies accumulation zones far from land.
Microplastics in the world's oceans are a global concern due to the potential threat they pose to marine organisms. This study investigated microplastic abundance, distribution and composition in the Atlantic Ocean on a transect from the Bay of Biscay to Cape Town, South Africa. Microplastics were sampled from sub-surface waters using the underway system of the RV Polarstern. Potential microplastics were isolated from samples and FT-IR spectroscopy was used to identify polymer types. Of the particles analysed, 63% were rayon and 37% were synthetic polymers. The majority of microplastics were identified as polyesters (49%) and blends of polyamide or acrylic/polyester (43%). Overall, fibres (94%) were predominant. Average microplastic abundance in the Atlantic Ocean was 1.15±1.45particlesm. Of the 76 samples, 14 were from the Benguela upwelling and there was no statistically significant difference in microplastic abundance between upwelled and non-upwelled sites.
More Papers Like This
Microplastics pollution in North and South Atlantic Ocean surface waters
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in surface waters during a transect voyage across the North and South Atlantic Ocean, finding particles at nearly all stations sampled. The results contribute to understanding the distribution and abundance of microplastics across the full latitudinal range of the Atlantic basin.
The distribution of microplastics in the surface layer of the Atlantic Ocean from the subtropics to the equator according to visual analysis
AI summary Read the abstract
This study measured plastic particle contamination in Atlantic Ocean surface water from subtropical to equatorial latitudes, finding microplastics at nearly every sampling site. The results reinforce that microplastic pollution is pervasive throughout the open ocean, far from coastal pollution sources.
Abundance, distribution and characteristics of microplastics in the North and South Atlantic Ocean
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers surveyed microplastic abundance across six major ocean current regions in the Atlantic Ocean, from the Netherlands to Uruguay, using 50 surface trawls. They found an overall concentration of 0.011 particles per cubic meter, with abundance significantly correlated to distance from the coast, and high-density polyethylene and polypropylene fragments being the dominant types. The study provides valuable baseline data from consistently under-sampled regions, particularly the South Atlantic.
Synthetic microplastic abundance and composition along a longitudinal gradient traversing the subtropical gyre in the North Atlantic Ocean
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastic sampling along a longitudinal transect through the North Atlantic subtropical gyre found that polymer composition and abundance varied significantly by geographic position, with polystyrene and polyethylene dominating surface waters. Subsurface sampling revealed additional microplastic layers below the surface that manta trawl methods alone would miss.
Abundance and composition of small floating plastics in the eastern and southern sectors of the Atlantic Ocean
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers sampled floating plastics in the eastern and southern Atlantic Ocean during two research cruises and found microplastics in 69% of net tows, with secondary microplastics dominant and median densities of 1,583 items per square kilometer.
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.