Dropping the microbead: Source and sink related microplastic distribution in the Black Sea and Caspian Sea basins
Marine Pollution Bulletin, vol. 173, pp. 112982
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.
Authors 4
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Anouk D’Hont corresponding
Radboud University Nijmegen · GiMaRIS Research, Inventory & Strategy Solutions (Netherlands)
Affiliation as printed
GiMaRIS, Marine Research Inventory & Strategy Solutions, Rijksstraatweg 75, 2171 AK Sassenheim, the Netherlands; Department of Animal Ecology and Physiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Electronic address: anouk.dhont@kuleuven.be
Department of Animal Ecology and Physiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands
GiMaRIS, Marine Research Inventory & Strategy Solutions, Rijksstraatweg 75, 2171 AK Sassenheim, the Netherlands
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Naturalis Biodiversity Center · GiMaRIS Research, Inventory & Strategy Solutions (Netherlands)
Affiliation as printed
GiMaRIS, Marine Research Inventory & Strategy Solutions, Rijksstraatweg 75, 2171 AK Sassenheim, the Netherlands; Department of Marine Zoology, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Pesthuislaan 7, 2333 BA Leiden, the Netherlands. Electronic address: gittenberger@gimaris.com
Department of Marine Zoology, Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Pesthuislaan 7, 2333 BA Leiden, the Netherlands
GiMaRIS, Marine Research Inventory & Strategy Solutions, Rijksstraatweg 75, 2171 AK Sassenheim, the Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Animal Ecology and Physiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Netherlands Centre of Expertise on Exotic Species (NECE), Nature Plaza, P.O. Box 9010, 6500 GL Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Electronic address: r.leuven@science.ru.nl
Department of Animal Ecology and Physiology, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands
Netherlands Centre of Expertise on Exotic Species (NECE), Nature Plaza, P.O. Box 9010, 6500 GL Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heijendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Electronic address: a.j.hendriks@science.ru.nl
Department of Environmental Science, Institute for Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Heijendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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