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. 2017 Mar;24(8):7650-7661.
doi: 10.1007/s11356-017-8419-5. Epub 2017 Jan 25.

Sources and fate of microplastics in marine and beach sediments of the Southern Baltic Sea-a preliminary study

Bożena Graca  1 , Karolina Szewc  2 , Danuta Zakrzewska  1 , Anna Dołęga  3 , Magdalena Szczerbowska-Boruchowska  4
Affiliations

Sources and fate of microplastics in marine and beach sediments of the Southern Baltic Sea-a preliminary study

Bożena Graca et al. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2017 Mar.

Abstract

Microplastics' (particles size ≤5 mm) sources and fate in marine bottom and beach sediments of the brackish are strongly polluted Baltic Sea have been investigated. Microplastics were extracted using sodium chloride (1.2 g cm-3). Their qualitative identification was conducted using micro-Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (μFT-IR). Concentration of microplastics varied from 25 particles kg-1 d.w. at the open sea beach to 53 particles kg-1 d.w. at beaches of strongly urbanized bay. In bottom sediments, microplastics concentration was visibly lower compared to beach sediments (0-27 particles kg-1 d.w.) and decreased from the shore to the open, deep-sea regions. The most frequent microplastics dimensions ranged from 0.1 to 2.0 mm, and transparent fibers were predominant. Polyester, which is a popular fabrics component, was the most common type of microplastic in both marine bottom (50%) and beach sediments (27%). Additionally, poly(vinyl acetate) used in shipbuilding as well as poly(ethylene-propylene) used for packaging were numerous in marine bottom (25% of all polymers) and beach sediments (18% of all polymers). Polymer density seems to be an important factor influencing microplastics circulation. Low density plastic debris probably recirculates between beach sediments and seawater in a greater extent than higher density debris. Therefore, their deposition is potentially limited and physical degradation is favored. Consequently, low density microplastics concentration may be underestimated using current methods due to too small size of the debris. This influences also the findings of qualitative research of microplastics which provide the basis for conclusions about the sources of microplastics in the marine environment.

Keywords: Beaches; Density separation; Microplastics; Pollution; Sediments; Southern Baltic.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The location of sampling sites in the Southern Baltic Sea
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Microplastics extracted from marine bottom sediments and beach sediments of the Southern Baltic Sea. a Red fiber (GA station at calm sea state). b Blue fiber (ZN2 station). c Blue irregular fragment (KO station).d Red fiber (GA station at calm sea state). Scale bars = 500 μm
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Dimensions (mm) of different microplastic types extracted from marine bottom sediments and beach sediments of the Southern Baltic Sea
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Percentage of different polymer types a in marine bottom sediments and beach sediments of the Southern Baltic Sea, and b at the cliff coast of the Southern Baltic Sea depending on the seawater dynamical conditions
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