6533b7d6fe1ef96bd12670d1
RESEARCH PRODUCT
Microplastics in the Center of Mediterranean: Comparison of the Two Calabrian Coasts and Distribution from Coastal Areas to the Open Sea
Mauro Francesco La RussaDaniele La RussaDaniela PellegrinoEmilio CelliniLuciana RandazzoAlessandro Marronesubject
PollutionMediterranean climateMicroplasticsMicroplasticsHealth Toxicology and Mutagenesismedia_common.quotation_subjectArticleCalabrian coastplastic pollutionMediterranean seaMediterranean SeaEcosystemSettore GEO/09 -Georis. Miner.e Appl.Mineral.-Petrogr. per l'Ambi.ed i B.Cult.media_commonmarine strategyCalabrian coast Marine strategy Mediterranean Sea Microplastic polymeric composition Plastic pollutionRPublic Health Environmental and Occupational HealthBiotaDebrismicroplastic polymeric compositionOceanographyMedicineEnvironmental sciencePlastic pollutionHydrographyPlasticsWater Pollutants ChemicalEnvironmental Monitoringdescription
Plastic is everywhere—increasing evidence suggests that plastic pollution is ubiquitous and persistent in ecosystems worldwide. Microplastic pollution in marine environments is particularly insidious, as small fragmentation can increase interaction with biota and food chain access. Of particular concern is the Mediterranean Sea, which has become a large area of accumulation of plastic debris, including microplastics, whose polymeric composition is still largely unknown. In this study, we analyzed the polymeric composition, particle size distribution, shape, and color of small plastic particles (ranging from 50 to 5000 µm) collected from the sea surface in six stations at the center of the Mediterranean Sea. We also described, for the first time, the different distribution of microplastics from coastal areas up to 12 nautical miles offshore. The microplastic density was 0.13 ± 0.19 particles/m2, with a marked prevalence of smaller particles (73% <
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-10-01 | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health |