TY - JOUR
T1 - Floating microplastics in a coastal embayment
T2 - A multifaceted issue
AU - Frias, João P.G.L.
AU - Lyashevska, Olga
AU - Joyce, Haleigh
AU - Pagter, Elena
AU - Nash, Róisín
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2020
PY - 2020/9
Y1 - 2020/9
N2 - Floating microplastic debris at the ocean's surface represents about 1% of all plastics found in the environment, with the remainder thought to be either deposited along the coast or sinks to the bottom of the ocean. This exploratory research on a coastal embayment in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean assesses floating microplastic densities and the potential influence of wind. A total of 1182 floating microplastic particles were retrieved from a total surface seawater volume of 2039.86 m3. The average microplastic density (0.56 ± 0.33 MP m−3) is based on a sample of 20 manta trawls. This study reports primary microplastics (microbeads) floating in Irish coastal waters for the first-time. Compared to similar bays in Europe, Galway Bay has a similar microplastic density range. Microplastics in surface waters are a multifaceted issue therefore, multiple types of sample collection along with associated environmental variables are recommended for coastal monitoring purposes.
AB - Floating microplastic debris at the ocean's surface represents about 1% of all plastics found in the environment, with the remainder thought to be either deposited along the coast or sinks to the bottom of the ocean. This exploratory research on a coastal embayment in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean assesses floating microplastic densities and the potential influence of wind. A total of 1182 floating microplastic particles were retrieved from a total surface seawater volume of 2039.86 m3. The average microplastic density (0.56 ± 0.33 MP m−3) is based on a sample of 20 manta trawls. This study reports primary microplastics (microbeads) floating in Irish coastal waters for the first-time. Compared to similar bays in Europe, Galway Bay has a similar microplastic density range. Microplastics in surface waters are a multifaceted issue therefore, multiple types of sample collection along with associated environmental variables are recommended for coastal monitoring purposes.
KW - Marine Strategy Framework Directive
KW - Marine debris
KW - Plastic litter pollution
KW - Sustainable Development Goals
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85086435513&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111361
DO - 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111361
M3 - Article
C2 - 32568078
AN - SCOPUS:85086435513
SN - 0025-326X
VL - 158
JO - Marine Pollution Bulletin
JF - Marine Pollution Bulletin
M1 - 111361
ER -
