Plastic debris accumulation in the seabed derived from coastal fish farming. (February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Krüger, Lotte; Casado-Coy, Nuria; Valle, Carlos; Ramos, Marina; Sánchez-Jerez, Pablo; Gago, Jesús; Carretero, Olga; Beltran-Sanahuja, Ana; Sanz-Lazaro, Carlos
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 257(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-02
• Subjects: Microplastics -- Pollution -- Marine debris -- Sediment -- Fish farms; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113336
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: In this study, we assessed plastic accumulation in marine sediments due to finfish aquaculture using floating net-pens. We studied plastic concentrations around three fish farms located at the Mediterranean coastline of Spain. The macroplastic categories and abundances were determined by video monitoring, detecting the majority of elements (78%), including ropes, nets and fibres, a basket trap and a cable tie, close to the facilities, which were not exclusively linked to fish farming but also to fishing activities. Concentrations of microplastics (<5 mm) ranged from 0 to 213 particles/kg dry weight sediment with higher values in sites directly under the influence of the fish farms. Most particles (27.8%) were within the size fraction from 1.1 to 2.0 mm and fibre was the most common shape with 62.2%. The Infrared spectroscopy analysis showed that PE and PP were the predominant types of polymers analysed. In addition, changes in the enthalpy of melting (ΔHm (J/g)) and the degree of crystallinity indicate degradation of the microplastics analysed. This study shows that, in the studied fish farms, levels of microplastic pollution can be one order of magnitude lower compared to other areas suffering other anthropogenic pressures from the same or similar regions. Nevertheless, more research effort is needed to get concluding results. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Plastic accumulation in marine sediments due to finfish aquaculture has been studied. Concentrations of microplastics ranged from 0 to 213 particles/kg dry weight sediment. The FTIR analysis showed PE and PP as the predominant types of polymers analysed. Changes in the enthalpy and crystallinity indicate degradation of microplastics.