Dropping the microbead: Source and sink related microplastic distribution in the Black Sea and Caspian Sea basins. (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: D'Hont, Anouk; Gittenberger, Adriaan; Leuven, Rob S.E.W.; Hendriks, A. Jan
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 173:Part A(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: City -- Depth -- Grain size -- Ponto-Caspian -- River -- Shore; 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.2021.112982
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: Microplastic pollution is a growing, yet poorly understood problem. Here, we assessed the relationship between microplastic concentration and distance to rivers, shorelines, cities, sediment grain size or water depth in sediments of the world's largest (semi-)enclosed aquatic basins. Microplastic was extracted from sediment using density separation, elutriation and hydrophobic adhesion. Fibers and transparent or white microplastic particles were the most abundant shape and color. The microplastic concentration in sediments of the Black Sea was about twice as high compared to that in the Caspian Sea. Fragment concentrations decreased with depth, while fiber concentrations were independent of depth. Overall, no relationship with distance to shores, rivers and cities or with grain size was observed. However, within some depth classes concentrations were related to the distance from rivers, shores and cities. Graphical abstract: Unlabelled Image Highlights: Improved extraction using density separation, elutriation and hydrophobic adhesion First assessment of microplastic concentrations in sediments of North Caspian Sea Microplastic concentrations in the Black Sea were twice as high as the Caspian Sea. Fragment concentrations decreased with depth, fibers were independent of depth Fragment concentrations increased with distance from river mouth close to shore.