Abstract
We investigated the concentration and composition of plastics in 7 Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) from the Gulf of Venice (northern Adriatic Sea). A total of 42 sediment samples were analyzed from 21 sites from 2017 to 2018. All sites except one were found to be polluted by plastics, with density ranging between 2250 and 28.4 items kg−1. Microplastics ranged from 100 to 61.6% of the collected plastics. Fragments were more represented than filaments. The greatest plastic concentrations were generally recorded in western SACs. Identification through FT-IR spectroscopy evidenced the presence of 8 polymer types: in western SACS, the majority were low-density polymers (PE, PP, PS, and TPU), while in eastern SACs they were high-density polymers (PET, nylon, and PVC). In addition to the role of large rivers (all on the western side of the Gulf) in conveying plastics into the sea, a possible role of the cyclonic water circulation of the northern Adriatic Sea on distribution and composition of plastics along the Gulf coasts is likely.
Highlights
Plastic pollution is increasingly recognized as a major threat to marine biodiversity (Bergmann et al, 2015)
Fragments are likely derived from the breakdown of larger plastics, while filaments may be derived from the breakdown of synthetic fishing lines, nets, and ropes
Because of the high cost involved with sampling the seabed, no historical data are available from Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) in the Gulf of Venice for assessing trends in plastic and microplastic contamination
Summary
Plastic pollution is increasingly recognized as a major threat to marine biodiversity (Bergmann et al, 2015). Microplastics are considered in descriptor 10 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD, 2008/56/EC), i.e., “Trends in the amount, distribution and, where possible, composition of micro-particles (in particular micro-plastics),” and “The amount of litter and micro-litter ingested by marine animals is at a level that does not adversely affect the health of the species concerned.”. Indicators for the latter criterion should be developed in the current implementation cycle of MSFD Microplastics are considered in descriptor 10 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD, 2008/56/EC), i.e., “Trends in the amount, distribution and, where possible, composition of micro-particles (in particular micro-plastics),” and “The amount of litter and micro-litter ingested by marine animals is at a level that does not adversely affect the health of the species concerned.” Indicators for the latter criterion should be developed in the current implementation cycle of MSFD
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