Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments: Insights into microplastic accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries.
Microplastics (plastic debris smaller than 5mm) represent a growing concern worldwide due to increasing amounts of discarded trash. We investigated microplastic debris on sandy shorelines at seven locations in a northern Gulf of Mexico estuary (Mobile Bay, AL) during the summer of 2014. Microplastics were ubiquitous throughout the area studied at concentrations 66-253× larger than reported for the open ocean. The polymers polypropylene and polyethylene were most abundant, with polystyrene, polyester and aliphatic polyamide also present but in lower quantities. There was a gradient in microplastic abundance, with locations more directly exposed to marine currents and tides having higher microplastic abundance and diversity, as well as a higher contribution by denser polymers (e.g. polyester). These results indicate that microplastic accumulation on shorelines in the northern Gulf of Mexico may be a serious concern, and suggest that exposure to inputs from the Gulf is an important determinant of microplastic abundance.
Dauphin Island Sea Lab, 101 Bienville Blvd., Dauphin Island, AL 36528, USA; University of South Alabama, Marine Science Department, 307 North University Blvd., Mobile, AL 36688, USA. Electronic address: cwessel@disl.org.
Caitlin C
CC
Wessel
Dauphin Island Sea Lab, 101 Bienville Blvd., Dauphin Island, AL 36528, USA.
Grant R
GR
Lockridge
University of South Alabama, Chemistry Department, CHEM0131, 6040 USA Dr., Mobile, AL 36688, USA.
David
D
Battiste
Dauphin Island Sea Lab, 101 Bienville Blvd., Dauphin Island, AL 36528, USA; University of South Alabama, Marine Science Department, 307 North University Blvd., Mobile, AL 36688, USA.
Just
J
Cebrian
D000407:Alabama; D061006:Bays; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D063366:Estuaries; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis*; D060851:Gulf of America; D010969:Plastics / Q000032:analysis*; D020959:Polyethylene / Q000032:analysis; D011137:Polystyrenes / Q000032:analysis; D012621:Seasons; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry; D014866:Waste Products / Q000032:analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D010969:Plastics; D011137:Polystyrenes; D014866:Waste Products; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D020959:Polyethylene
Gulf of Mexico; Marine debris; Marine litter; Microplastics; Plastic; Pollution