Microplastic pollution in the surface waters of Vava'u, Tonga. (December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Markic, Ana; Bridson, James H.; Morton, Peta; Hersey, Lucy; Maes, Thomas; Bowen, Melissa
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 185:Part A(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Subjects: Microplastics -- Plastic pollution -- Surface waters -- Plankton net trawls -- Tonga -- Pacific; 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.2022.114243
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: Marine plastic pollution, particularly microplastics, has been recognised as a global issue in the recent years, but research efforts in the Pacific are lagging. We carried out research on microplastics contamination of surface waters of the Vava'u archipelago, Tonga. Since microplastics smaller than the standard mesh size (333–335 μm) are readily reported in the literature on microplastics, we used a finer plankton net (100 μm) to determine the proportion of captured microplastics smaller than 300 μm. Isolated microplastics were counted and measured using stereomicroscope with polymer identification performed by FTIR spectroscopy. The analysis revealed high microplastics concentrations (329, 299.7 ± 40, 994.2 pcs km −2 or 1.05 ± 0.13 pcs m −3 ). The proportion of particles smaller than 300 μm was 40 %. The predominant type of microplastics in surface waters were small bits of white film, which we associated with cement-filled white bags used to construct docks throughout Vava'u, often heavily eroded. Highlights: High concentrations of microplastics in the surface waters of the Vava'u The samples were collected with a plankton net of 100-μm mesh size. 40 % of extracted microplastics are smaller than 300 μm, the standard net size. 60 % of microplastic particles are small bits of white film. The source of microplastics is probably degraded cement-filled white bags used as docks.