title: A quantitative analysis of microplastic pollution along the south-eastern coastline of South Africa.
abstract: The extent of microplastic pollution (<5mm) in the southern hemisphere, particularly southern Africa, is largely unknown. This study aimed to evaluate microplastic pollution along the south-eastern coastline of South Africa, looking at whether bays are characterised by higher microplastic densities than open stretches of coastline in both beach sediment and surf-zone water. Microplastic (mean ± standard error) densities in the beach sediment ranged between 688.9 ± 348.2 and 3308 ± 1449 particles · m(-2), while those in the water column varied between 257.9 ± 53.36 and 1215 ± 276.7 particles · m(-3). With few exceptions there were no significant spatial patterns in either the sediment or water column microplastic densities; with little differences in density between bays and the open coast (P>0.05). These data indicate that the presence of microplastics were not associated with proximity to land-based sources or population density, but rather is governed by water circulation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, PO Box 94, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa. Electronic address: hollynel1988@gmail.com.
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Nel
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, PO Box 94, Grahamstown 6140, South Africa.
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Froneman
mesh_terms: D061006:Bays / Q000737:chemistry*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D010969:Plastics / Q000032:analysis*; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry*; D013019:South Africa; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D010969:Plastics; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Bays; Marine pollution; Microplastics; Open coast; South Africa; Synthetic fibres