Microplastic abundance, distribution and composition along a latitudinal gradient in the Atlantic Ocean. (15th February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kanhai, La Daana K.; Officer, Rick; Lyashevska, Olga; Thompson, Richard C.; O'Connor, Ian
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 115:Number 1/2(2017)
• Page Start: 307
• Page End: 314
• Publication Date: 2017-02-15
• Subjects: Microplastic -- Sub-surface waters -- Upwelling -- Atlantic Ocean -- Marine debris; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.12.025
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: 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 ± 1.45 particles m − 3 . 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. Highlights: Average microplastic abundance in sub-surface waters of the Atlantic Ocean was 1.15 particles m − 3 . Of the microplastics, polyester and blends of polyamide or acrylic/polyester were most abundant. The predominant type of microplastics was fibres. Microplastic abundance at Benguela upwelling and non-upwelled sites not statistically different