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Donato A, Spadaro D, Giuffrida D, Sabatino G, Di Bella M, Trusso S, Ponterio RC. Monitoring plastic pellet pollution in coastal environments through handheld Raman spectroscopy: Data from the Mediterranean coasts (Southern Italy). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 202:116312. [PMID: 38579445 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
This paper examines the distribution and chemical properties of beached plastic pellets along the Ionian and Tyrrhenian coasts of Southern Italy. Three locations have been sampled: Agnone Bagni (SR) and Paradiso (ME) on the Ionian coast of Sicily, Baia del Tono in Milazzo (ME) on the Sicilian Tyrrhenian coast, and Pizzo Calabro (VV) in Calabria on the Tyrrhenian coast. Variations in shape, size, compactness, color, and other physical features, correlated with residence times and transport, has been highlighted. Raman spectroscopy, used in a portable configuration, enabled rapid identification of polymer types, demonstrating its utility for on-site plastic pollutant monitoring. Polyethylene and polypropylene were the predominant polymers. Principal component analysis of the spectra determined the optimal chemometric classification of pellets by composition, avoiding interference or distortion. In conclusion, the study provided preliminary insights into pellet abundance, composition, weathering extent, and distribution across these shorelines, underscoring the importance of regular beach monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assunta Donato
- Istituto di Geoscienze e Georisorse (IGG), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, URT Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres, n. 31 -, 98158 Messina, Italy
| | - Donatella Spadaro
- Istituto per i Processi Chimico Fisici, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres, n. 37, - 98158 Messina, Italy
| | - Dario Giuffrida
- Istituto per i Processi Chimico Fisici, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres, n. 37, - 98158 Messina, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Sabatino
- Dipartimento di Scienze Matematiche e Informatiche, Scienze Fisiche e Scienze della Terra, Università degli Studi di Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres, n. 31, - 98158 Messina, Italy; Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale, Borgo Grotta Gigante, 42/C, - 34010 Sgonico, Italy
| | - Marcella Di Bella
- Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale, Borgo Grotta Gigante, 42/C, - 34010 Sgonico, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Trusso
- Istituto per i Processi Chimico Fisici, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres, n. 37, - 98158 Messina, Italy
| | - Rosina Celeste Ponterio
- Istituto per i Processi Chimico Fisici, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d'Alcontres, n. 37, - 98158 Messina, Italy
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Cocciaro B, Merlino S, Bianucci M, Casani C, Palleschi V. Feasibility Study for the Development of a Low-Cost, Compact, and Fast Sensor for the Detection and Classification of Microplastics in the Marine Environment. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:4097. [PMID: 37112438 PMCID: PMC10143223 DOI: 10.3390/s23084097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The detection and classification of microplastics in the marine environment is a complex task that implies the use of delicate and expensive instrumentation. In this paper, we present a preliminary feasibility study for the development of a low-cost, compact microplastics sensor that could be mounted, in principle, on a float of drifters, for the monitoring of large marine surfaces. The preliminary results of the study indicate that a simple sensor equipped with three infrared-sensitive photodiodes can reach classification accuracies around 90% for the most-diffused floating microplastics in the marine environment (polyethylene and polypropylene).
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Cocciaro
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche—Istituto di Chimica dei Composti Organo-Metallici (CNR-ICCOM), U.O.S. di Pisa, Area della Ricerca del CNR, Via G. Moruzzi, 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Silvia Merlino
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche—Istituto di Scienze Marine (CNR-ISMAR), U.O.S. di Pozzuolo di Lerici, c/o Forte Santa Teresa—Loc. Pozzuolo di Lerici, 19032 Lerici, Italy
| | - Marco Bianucci
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche—Istituto di Scienze Marine (CNR-ISMAR), U.O.S. di Pozzuolo di Lerici, c/o Forte Santa Teresa—Loc. Pozzuolo di Lerici, 19032 Lerici, Italy
| | - Claudio Casani
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche—Istituto di Scienze Marine (CNR-ISMAR), U.O.S. di Pozzuolo di Lerici, c/o Forte Santa Teresa—Loc. Pozzuolo di Lerici, 19032 Lerici, Italy
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Pisa, Via L. Ghini, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Palleschi
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche—Istituto di Chimica dei Composti Organo-Metallici (CNR-ICCOM), U.O.S. di Pisa, Area della Ricerca del CNR, Via G. Moruzzi, 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
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3
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Merlino S, Locritani M, Guarnieri A, Delrosso D, Bianucci M, Paterni M. Marine Litter Tracking System: A Case Study with Open-Source Technology and a Citizen Science-Based Approach. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 23:935. [PMID: 36679731 PMCID: PMC9863889 DOI: 10.3390/s23020935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
It is well established that most of the plastic pollution found in the oceans is transported via rivers. Unfortunately, the main processes contributing to plastic and debris displacement through riparian systems is still poorly understood. The Marine Litter Drifter project from the Arno River aims at using modern consumer software and hardware technologies to track the movements of real anthropogenic marine debris (AMD) from rivers. The innovative "Marine Litter Trackers" (MLT) were utilized as they are reliable, robust, self-powered and they present almost no maintenance costs. Furthermore, they can be built not only by those trained in the field but also by those with no specific expertise, including high school students, simply by following the instructions. Five dispersion experiments were successfully conducted from April 2021 to December 2021, using different types of trackers in different seasons and weather conditions. The maximum distance tracked was 2845 km for a period of 94 days. The activity at sea was integrated by use of Lagrangian numerical models that also assisted in planning the deployments and the recovery of drifters. The observed tracking data in turn were used for calibration and validation, recursively improving their quality. The dynamics of marine litter (ML) dispersion in the Tyrrhenian Sea is also discussed, along with the potential for open-source approaches including the "citizen science" perspective for both improving big data collection and educating/awareness-raising on AMD issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Merlino
- CNR-ISMAR (Istituto di Scienze Marine-Sede di La Spezia), 19032 La Spezia, Italy
| | - Marina Locritani
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione di Roma 2, 00143 Roma, Italy
| | - Antonio Guarnieri
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione di Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Damiano Delrosso
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione di Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Marco Bianucci
- CNR-ISMAR (Istituto di Scienze Marine-Sede di La Spezia), 19032 La Spezia, Italy
| | - Marco Paterni
- CNR-IFC (Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica-Pisa), 56124 Pisa, Italy
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Onink V, Kaandorp MLA, van Sebille E, Laufkötter C. Influence of Particle Size and Fragmentation on Large-Scale Microplastic Transport in the Mediterranean Sea. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:15528-15540. [PMID: 36270631 PMCID: PMC9671120 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c03363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic particles move three-dimensionally through the ocean, but modeling studies often do not consider size-dependent vertical transport processes. In addition, microplastic fragmentation in ocean environments remains poorly understood, despite fragments making up the majority of microplastic pollution in terms of the number of particles and despite its potential role in mass removal. Here, we first investigate the role of particle size and density on the large-scale transport of microplastics in the Mediterranean Sea and next analyze how fragmentation may affect transport and mass loss of plastics. For progressively smaller particle sizes, microplastics are shown to be less likely to be beached and more likely to reach open water. Smaller particles also generally get mixed deeper, resulting in lower near-surface concentrations of small particles despite their higher total abundance. Microplastic fragmentation is shown to be dominated by beach-based fragmentation, with ocean-based fragmentation processes likely having negligible influence. However, fragmentation remains a slow process acting on decadal time scales and as such likely does not have a major influence on the large-scale distribution of microplastics and mass loss over periods less than 3 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Onink
- Climate
and Environmental Physics, Physics Institute, University of Bern, 3012Bern, Switzerland
- Oeschger
Centre for Climate Change Research, University
of Bern, 3012Bern, Switzerland
- Institute
for Marine and Atmospheric Research, Utrecht
University, 3584CCUtrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mikael L. A. Kaandorp
- Institute
for Marine and Atmospheric Research, Utrecht
University, 3584CCUtrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Erik van Sebille
- Institute
for Marine and Atmospheric Research, Utrecht
University, 3584CCUtrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Charlotte Laufkötter
- Climate
and Environmental Physics, Physics Institute, University of Bern, 3012Bern, Switzerland
- Oeschger
Centre for Climate Change Research, University
of Bern, 3012Bern, Switzerland
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5
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Giugliano R, Cocciaro B, Poggialini F, Legnaioli S, Palleschi V, Locritani M, Merlino S. Rapid Identification of Beached Marine Plastics Pellets Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy: A Promising Tool for the Quantification of Coastal Pollution. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 22:s22186910. [PMID: 36146270 PMCID: PMC9502885 DOI: 10.3390/s22186910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The rapid identification of beached marine micro-plastics is essential for the determination of the source of pollution and for planning the most effective strategies for remediation. In this paper, we present the results obtained by applying the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) technique on a large sample of different kinds of plastics that can be found in a marine environment. The use of chemometric analytical tools allowed a rapid classification of the pellets with an accuracy greater than 80%. The LIBS spectrum and statistical tests proved their worth to quickly identify polymers, and in particular, to distinguish C-O from C-C backbone pellets, and PE from PP ones. In addition, the PCA analysis revealed a correlation between appearance (surface pellets roughness) and color (yellowing), as reported by other recent studies. The preliminary results on the analysis of metals accumulated on the surface of the pellets are also reported. The implication of these results is discussed in view of the possibility of frequent monitoring of the marine plastic pollution on the seacoast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Giugliano
- The Veterinary Medical Research Institute for Piedmont, Liguria and the Aosta Valley (IZS PLVA), U. O. Chimico, S. S. Sezione di Genova-Portualità, Piazza Borgo Pila 39/int. 24, 16129 Genova, Italy
| | - Bruno Cocciaro
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche—Istituto di Chimica dei Composti Organo-Metallici (CNR-ICCOM), U. O. S. di Pisa, Area della Ricerca del CNR, Via G. Moruzzi, 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Poggialini
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche—Istituto di Chimica dei Composti Organo-Metallici (CNR-ICCOM), U. O. S. di Pisa, Area della Ricerca del CNR, Via G. Moruzzi, 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefano Legnaioli
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche—Istituto di Chimica dei Composti Organo-Metallici (CNR-ICCOM), U. O. S. di Pisa, Area della Ricerca del CNR, Via G. Moruzzi, 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Palleschi
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche—Istituto di Chimica dei Composti Organo-Metallici (CNR-ICCOM), U. O. S. di Pisa, Area della Ricerca del CNR, Via G. Moruzzi, 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Marina Locritani
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione di Roma 2, Via di Vigna Murata 605, 00143 Roma, Italy
| | - Silvia Merlino
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche—Istituto di Scienze Marine (CNR-ISMAR), U. O. S. di Pozzuolo di Lerici, c/o Forte Santa Teresa—Loc. Pozzuolo di Lerici, 19032 Lerici, Italy
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6
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An In Situ Experiment to Evaluate the Aging and Degradation Phenomena Induced by Marine Environment Conditions on Commercial Plastic Granules. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14061111. [PMID: 35335441 PMCID: PMC8949163 DOI: 10.3390/polym14061111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In this paper, we present two novel experimental setups specifically designed to perform in situ long-term monitoring of the aging behaviour of commercial plastic granules (HDPE, PP, PLA and PBAT). The results of the first six months of a three year monitoring campaign are presented. The two experimental setups consist of: (i) special cages positioned close to the sea floor at a depth of about 10 m, and (ii) a box containing sand exposed to atmospheric agents to simulate the surface of a beach. Starting from March 2020, plastic granules were put into the cages and plunged in seawater and in a sandboxe. Chemical spectroscopic and thermal analyses (GPC, SEM, FTIR-ATR, DSC, TGA) were performed on the granules before and after exposure to natural elements for six months, in order to identify the physical-chemical modifications occurring in marine environmental conditions (both in seawater and in sandy coastal conditions). Changes in colour, surface morphology, chemical composition, thermal properties, molecular weight and polydispersity, showed the different influences of the environmental conditions. Photooxidative reaction pathways were prevalent in the sandbox. Abrasive phenomena acted specially in the sea environment. PLA and PBAT did not show significant degradation after six months, making the possible reduction of marine pollution due to this process negligible.
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7
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Arreola-Alarcón IM, Reyes-Bonilla H, Sakthi JS, Rodríguez-González F, Jonathan MP. Seasonal tendencies of microplastics around coral reefs in selected Marine Protected National Parks of Gulf of California, Mexico. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 175:113333. [PMID: 35123271 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This study focuses on the presence of MPs in the sediment beds around coral reefs of MPNPs in Baja California Sur, México. Based on seasonal sampling results, comparison of MPs from Cabo Pulmo (avg. 680.25 items/100 g-1 d.w) recorded higher values than Espiritu Santo Island (avg. 321.75 items/100 g-1 d.w) from backshore/foreshore regions. Fibrous MPs are the dominant morphotypes followed by fragments and spheres. SEM/EDS analysis revealed that the MPs are altered texturally in surface and is bioavailable to marine organisms independent of size/shape. FTIR analysis indicate different polymers (in %) in the form of PP (70), PET (65), HDPE (59), LDPE (50), PS (30), PC (18), PU (10) and RYN (10). Most of the MPs are secondary in origin resulting from man-made and tourist's activities controlled by wave transportation and tidal currents. Existence of MPs in sediment beds around the coral reefs signals the ways for future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Montserrat Arreola-Alarcón
- Departamento Académico de Ciencias Marinas y Costeras, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, Carretera al Sur K.M 5.5, Apartado Postal 19-B, C.P.23080 La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
| | - H Reyes-Bonilla
- Departamento Académico de Ciencias Marinas y Costeras, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, Carretera al Sur K.M 5.5, Apartado Postal 19-B, C.P.23080 La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico
| | - J S Sakthi
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones y Estudios sobre Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo (CIIEMAD), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Calle 30 de Junio de 1520, Barrio la Laguna Ticomán, Del. Gustavo A. Madero, C.P.07340 Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Francisco Rodríguez-González
- Centro de Desarrollo de Productos Bióticos (CEPROBI), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Carretera Yautepec-Jojutla Km. 6, Calle CEPROBI No. 8, Col. San Isidro, Yautepec, Morelos C.P. 62731, Mexico
| | - M P Jonathan
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones y Estudios sobre Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo (CIIEMAD), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Calle 30 de Junio de 1520, Barrio la Laguna Ticomán, Del. Gustavo A. Madero, C.P.07340 Ciudad de México, Mexico.
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Simon-Sánchez L, Grelaud M, Franci M, Ziveri P. Are research methods shaping our understanding of microplastic pollution? A literature review on the seawater and sediment bodies of the Mediterranean Sea. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 292:118275. [PMID: 34626717 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The lack of standardization on the definition and methods in microplastic (MP) research has limited the overall interpretation and intercomparison of published data. This has presented different solutions to assess the presence of these pollutants in the natural environment, bringing the science forward. Microplastics have been reported worldwide across different biological levels and environmental compartments. In the Mediterranean Sea, numerous research efforts have been dedicated to defining the MP pollution levels. The reported MP concentrations are comparable to those found in the convergence zone of ocean gyres, pointing to this basin as one of the world's greatest plastic accumulation areas. However, to what extent are the data produced limited by the methods? Here, we present the results of a systematic review of MP research methods and occurrence targeting the seawater and sediment bodies of the Mediterranean Sea. Based on this dataset, we 1) assess the discrepancies and similarities in the methods, 2) analyze how these differences affect the reported concentrations, and 3) identify the limitations of the data produced for the Mediterranean Sea. Moreover, we reaffirm the pressing need of developing a common reporting terminology, and call for international collaboration between Mediterranean countries, especially with North African countries, to provide a complete picture of the MP pollution status in this basin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Simon-Sánchez
- Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA-UAB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Michaël Grelaud
- Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA-UAB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marco Franci
- Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA-UAB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Patrizia Ziveri
- Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA-UAB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain; Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Pg. Lluís Companys 23, Barcelona, 08010, Spain
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Abelouah MR, Ben-Haddad M, Rangel-Buitrago N, Hajji S, El Alem N, Ait Alla A. Microplastics pollution along the central Atlantic coastline of Morocco. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 174:113190. [PMID: 34856433 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
This baseline study describes the microplastic (MPs) problem on seven beaches located on Agadir, central Atlantic coast of Morocco. Microplastics abundances (densities) ranged from 7680 MPs/kg to 34,200 MPs/kg above other world beaches. The following shapes were found: fibers, fragments, films, and pellets. Fibers were the dominant typology with a 73%. Polyethylene (PE) was the predominant polymer in all beaches with an average percentage of 59%, followed by Polypropylene (PP - 18%), Polystyrene (PS - 9%), Polyvinyl chloride (PVC - 8%), and Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA - 6%). Microplastics abundances presented in this work suggest continuous inputs of plastics of all sizes and types. Also, all observed shapes highlight a combination of sources (primary and secondary). Central Atlantic Moroccan beaches are currently affected by extreme values of MPs that demand urgent interventions to restore environmental quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Rida Abelouah
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and continental Environments, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco.
| | - Mohamed Ben-Haddad
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and continental Environments, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco.
| | - Nelson Rangel-Buitrago
- Programa de Física, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Atlántico, Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia; Programa de Biologia, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Atlántico, Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia
| | - Sara Hajji
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and continental Environments, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
| | - Noureddine El Alem
- Laboratory of Materials & Environment, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
| | - Aicha Ait Alla
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and continental Environments, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
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10
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Citizen Science for Marine Litter Detection and Classification on Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Images. WATER 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/w13233349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV, aka drones) are being used for mapping macro-litter in the environment. As drone images require a manual processing task for detecting marine litter, it is of interest to evaluate the accuracy of non-expert citizen science operators (CSO) in performing this task. Students from Italian secondary schools (in this work, the CSO) were invited to identify, mark, and classify stranded litter items on a UAV orthophoto collected on an Italian beach. A specific training program and working tools were developed for the aim. The comparison with the standard in situ visual census survey returned a general underestimation (50%) of items. However, marine litter bulk categorisation was fairly in agreement with the in situ survey, especially for sources classification. The concordance level among CSO ranged between 60% and 91%, depending on the item properties considered (type, material, and colour). As the assessment accuracy was in line with previous works developed by experts, remote detection of marine litter on UAV images can be improved through citizen science programs, upon an appropriate training plan and provision of specific tools.
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