A large-scale investigation of microplastic contamination: Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in European beach sediment. Issue 1 (15th October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lots, Froukje A.E.; Behrens, Paul; Vijver, Martina G.; Horton, Alice A.; Bosker, Thijs
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 123:Issue 1/2(2017)
• Page Start: 219
• Page End: 226
• Publication Date: 2017-10-15
• Subjects: Citizen science -- Microplastics -- Beach sediment -- Europe -- Plastic pollution; 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.2017.08.057
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: Here we present the large-scale distribution of microplastic contamination in beach sediment across Europe. Sediment samples were collected from 23 locations across 13 countries by citizen scientists, and analysed using a standard operating procedure. We found significant variability in the concentrations of microplastics, ranging from 72 ± 24 to 1512 ± 187 microplastics per kg of dry sediment, with high variability within sampling locations. Three hotspots of microplastic accumulation (> 700 microplastics per kg of dry sediment) were found. There was limited variability in the physico-chemical characteristics of the plastics across sampling locations. The majority of the microplastics were fibrous, < 1 mm in size, and blue/black in colour. In addition, using Raman spectrometry we identified particles as polyester, polyethylene, and polypropylene. Our research is the first large spatial-scale analysis of microplastics on European beaches giving insights into the nature and extent of the microplastic challenge. Graphical abstract: