Microplastics in Surface Sediments along the Montenegrin Coast, Adriatic Sea: Types, Occurrence, and Distribution

Microparticles of anthropogenic origin (microplastics and microfibers) in sandy sediments: A case study from calabria, italy

Microparticles of anthropogenic origin, such as microplastics and microfibers, are pervasive pollutants in the marine environment of the world. These microparticles pollute water and can be ingested by biota; however, while microplastics are often monitored, very few studies focus on microfibers. Coastal areas, such as beaches, are more vulnerable to pollution due to their location between terrestrial and marine environments and their recreational and touristic functions. In this study, microparticle occurrence frequency was investigated along the Calabria coast, Italy, in one touristic beach in comparison with an unpopular one. High amounts of microparticles of anthropogenic origin were found in all sediment samples, despite the evident different tourist exploitation of the two examined beaches. Sediments of the most touristic beach had values between 729.5 ± 212.3 and 1327 ± 125.8 items/kg, instead, the less popular beach between 606.3 ± 102.8 and 1116.5 ± 226.9 items/kg (average and st. dev). Microparticle abundance varied before and after the touristic summer season, increasing in the most popular beach and decreasing in the unpopular one. Differences in microparticle abundance between foreshore and backshore were present too; however, statistical analyses did not show evident relations between microparticle abundance and the distance from the see. Grain size influenced the abundance of microparticles in sediments. Our results improve knowledge on microparticle pollution in marine environments, highlighting information about micropollution in coastal areas. Future studies are needed to understand better microparticle dynamics and ecological impacts in marine and terrestrial systems, implementing new strategies to monitor pollution state, enhancing the natural intermediate environments, and providing useful and sustainable measure of conservation.

An Emerging Role of Micro- and Nanoplastics in Vascular Diseases

Vascular diseases are the leading causes of death worldwide, and they are attributable to multiple pathologies, such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Exposure to various environmental contaminants is associated with the development of various diseases, including vascular diseases. Among environmental contaminants, micro- and nanoplastics have gained attention as global environmental risk factors that threaten human health. Recently, extensive research has been conducted on the effects of micro- and nanoplastics on various human diseases, including vascular diseases. In this review, we highlight the effects of micro- and nanoplastics on vascular diseases.

Spatio-temporal distribution of microplastic abundances in Izmir Bay (eastern Aegean Sea)

Microplastics (MPs) and their impacts have been extensively studied in the Mediterranean region. However, more research has yet to be conducted on assessing the extent of microplastic (MP) pollution in the eastern Aegean Sea, specifically in Izmir Bay. This study aims to evaluate the current state of MP pollution in surface water and sediment samples collected from Izmir Bay. Ten sampling stations were specifically selected, including locations near stream discharge points, maritime transportation piers, and port areas. Surface water samples were collected using a manta trawl net, while sediment samples were obtained using a Van Veen grab. The mean MP abundances in surface water ranged from 1,083,882 to 8,091,684 items/km2. Fragment type MPs were dominant. In terms of size category, it was found that MP s of 500µm size were dominant. The dominant color of MPs was white. ATR-FTIR analyses revealed that polyethylene and polypropylene were the dominant polymer types. MP concentrations in sediment ranged from 2,125 to 4,925 items/m2, with fiber-type MPs being the most abundant. Black-colored MPs were found to dominate in sediment samples. Overall, the MP levels in Izmir Bay were higher than previous studies findings. Therefore, it is crucial to conduct long-term monitoring studies to obtain more consistent and reliable data on MP pollution levels in Izmir Bay.

Microplastics in fish and sediments from the Montenegrin coast (Adriatic Sea): Similarities in accumulation

The accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in the biotic and abiotic components of the marine environment poses a major threat to marine ecosystems worldwide. The objective of this study was to document, for the first time, differences in MP accumulation in the gastrointestinal tract of two commercially important fish species and to evaluate the possible correlation between MP accumulation in the biotic (fish) and abiotic (sediment) components of the marine environment of the Montenegrin coast (Adriatic Sea). Samples were collected from two areas of the Montenegrin coast, Boka Kotorska Bay and the coastal part of the open sea. The frequency of MP ingestion was 58.6 % for Mullus barbatus and 54 % for Merluccius merluccius, while the average number of ingested MPs was 2.9 ± 0.5 and 3.2 ± 1.0 items/individual, respectively. Average MP abundance in surface sediments from Boka Kotorska Bay and the coastal part of the open sea was 315 ± 45 and 435 ± 258 MPs/kg of dry sediment, respectively. Most MPs identified were filaments, followed by fragments and films, while the most abundant polymers found in fish and sediments samples were polypropylene and polyethylene. The present results indicate that MP pollution in the study area is reflected in the accumulation of MPs in the biotic (fish) and abiotic (sediment) components of the marine environment. Measures need to be taken to reduce the input of plastics/MPs into the marine environment.

Occurrence of Natural and Synthetic Micro-Fibers in the Mediterranean Sea: A Review

Among microplastics (MPs), fibers are one of the most abundant shapes encountered in the aquatic environment. Growing attention is being focused on this typology of particles since they are considered an important form of marine contamination. Information about microfibers distribution in the Mediterranean Sea is still limited and the increasing evidence of the high amount of fibers in the aquatic environment should lead to a different classification from MPs which, by definition, are composed only of synthetic materials and not natural. In the past, cellulosic fibers (natural and regenerated) have been likely included in the synthetic realm by hundreds of studies, inflating “micro-plastic” counts in both environmental matrices and organisms. Comparisons are often hampered because many of the available studies have explicitly excluded the micro-fibers (MFs) content due, for example, to methodological problems. Considering the abundance of micro-fibers in the environment, a chemical composition analysis is fundamental for toxicological assessments. Overall, the results of this review work provide the basis to monitor and mitigate the impacts of microfiber pollution on the sea ecosystems in the Mediterranean Sea, which can be used to investigate other basins of the world for future risk assessment.

Distribution and characterization of microplastics in marine sediments from the Montenegrin coast

PURPOSE

Plastic pollution in the world has led to an abundance of microplastics (MPs) and has been identified as a potential factor that can lead to serious environmental problems, especially in oceans and seas. Information on the current status of MPs pollution along the Montenegrin coast is insufficiently investigated. This study monitors the abundance, distribution, and sources of MPs, and identifies present polymers in the surface sediment of the Montenegrin coast, as well as comparison with previous research.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ten sampling sites along the Montenegrin coast were selected to collect surface sediment samples. The upper layer of sediment (0-5 cm) was collected by a Petite ponar grab. The samples were dried, and density separation was performed using a NaCl solution. The abundance and morphological characteristics of MPs were determined using an optical microscope (DP-Soft software), while FT-IR analysis was done to identify the polymer type.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Microplastics were identified in all sediment samples with an average abundance of 307 ± 133 (SD) MPs/kg in dry sediment. The highest abundance of MPs was found in locations in the vicinity of highly populated areas, near wastewater discharges, and areas with high fishing and tourist activities. The most dominant shape types of MPs in all samples were filaments and fragments. The most common colors of MPs were blue and red, while the dominant MPs sizes were 0.1-0.5 mm and 0.5-1.0 mm. Of the eight identified polymers, PP, PE, and PET were the most common.

CONCLUSION

This study reveals MPs characteristics (abundance, distribution, shape type, colors, size, polymers type) in surface sediment along the Montenegrin coast, as well as the most significant sources of MPs pollution, and provides important data for further research on MPs to identify the effects of MPs pollution on the quality, health, and functionality of the marine environment.