article · Journal of Ecological Engineering
Microplastic pollution affects marine ecosystems worldwide through ingestion by aquatic species. An investigation into the semi-enclosed, heavily anthropised waters of Al-Hoceima Bay examined microplastic distribution across supralittoral, medilittoral, and interlittoral coastal levels. Particle counts were measured using digital microscopy, whilst polymer identification was conducted using Fourier transform-attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy. Microplastic abundance was found to be higher in water, recording 114 particles per litre, compared to sediment, which held 70 particles per litre. Fibres were the predominant particle type overall, making up 90 percent of recovered plastics in water and 31 percent in sediment. In contrast, fragments and leaves were observed at greater concentrations within sediment. Chemical analysis revealed that polypropylene and polyethylene were the primary polymers present in the bay.
Microplastics measure five millimetres or less and can be consumed by diverse marine organisms, disrupting coastal ecosystems. Understanding the distribution and specific polymer types, such as polypropylene and polyethylene, present in both water and sediment helps assess the extent of human-driven plastic contamination in vulnerable semi-enclosed coastal environments.
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The issue of microplastics pollution is gaining increasing attention as a global environmental concern. These tiny particles, measuring no more than 5mm in size and coming in various shapes, can affect all types of marine ecosystems as they are easily consumed by a wide range of marine species. Al-Hoceima Bay, with its semi-enclosed nature and heavily affected anthropized coastline, was chosen as the study area for this research. The main objective was to investigate the presence of various microplastic types in Al-Hoceima Bay by implementing a sampling strategy along the coastline. This comprehensive approach was applied on a local scale within the bay (located in the northwest Mediterranean). Three stations were established in the bay, each located at different levels: the supralittoral, medilittoral and interlittoral. Microplastics were collected from these locations and classified into four categories based on their abundance. Digital microscopy was used to count the plastic particles and they were identified by Fourier transform-attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). Results showed a higher presence of microplastics in water at 114 particles/L compared to sediment at 70 particles/L. The classification of samples revealed fibers as the most prevalent form, followed by fragments and films being the least commonly found. The abundance of fibers was found to be higher in water 90%, while in sediment it was 31%, however, fragments and leaves were found in higher concentrations in sediment. Polypropylene and polyethylene were identified as the major polymers used in the microplastics analyzed.
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DOI: 10.12911/22998993/161653
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