Abstract
The aim of this study was to quantify the distribution of MPs from four estuaries in Mauritius. Estuarine surface water and sediment samples were collected once over four weeks. The mean abundances of MPs in surface water and sediments were in the range of 249–412 particles.L−1 and 74–235 particles.kg −1 dry weight, respectively. Fibres shared a higher proportion in both surface water (52%) and sediment samples (81%). MPs in the size range of 24–250μm (53 %) were found in abundance in surface water samples while MP of sizes 500–1500μm (36%) in sediment samples. Cotton polyamide type of MPs were dominated in both surface water (33%) and sediment (44%) followed by polyethylene (28%) and polypropylene (22%), respectively. The results of this study provide an important baseline reference for evaluating the abundance of MPs in the Southern African regions and in the Indian Ocean.
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