Examining Microplastics Along the Calabrian Coastline: Analysis of Key Characteristics and Metal Contamination

Brunetti, Luana S. ; Piersante, Costanza ; La Russa, Mauro F. ; Cellini, Emilio ; Bolea, Eduardo (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Laborda, Francisco (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Ruffolo, Silvestro A.

Resumen: Plastic pollution is a major concern today. Microplastics (MPs), due to their small size, can enter the food chain and cause serious harm to living organisms. The Mediterranean Sea is the sixth largest accumulation area for plastic waste, including MPs, worldwide. In this study, we analyzed the distribution, shape, color, size, and polymer composition of MPs (having dimensions between 330 µm and 5 mm), collected from the water surface in six areas along the Calabrian coast, Italy. A prevalence of polyethylene was detected, with higher concentrations of MPs found in the Gioia Tauro and Cetraro areas. Additionally, heavy metals were identified within the MPs, suggesting that these particles could act as environmental carriers of such elements into the food chain.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.3390/environments12010004

Año: 2024

Publicado en: ENVIRONMENTS 12, 1 (2024), 4 [18 pp.]
ISSN: 2076-3298

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA-FEDER/E29-23R
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MICINN/PID2021-123203OB-I00

Tipo y forma: Artículo (Versión definitiva)

Área (Departamento): Área Química Analítica (Dpto. Química Analítica)