Plastic litter in sediments from a marine area likely to become protected (Aeolian Archipelago's islands, Tyrrhenian sea).
This research aims to define for the first time levels and patterns of different litter groups (macro, meso and microplastics) in sediments from a marine area designed for the institution of a new marine protected area (Aeolian Archipelago, Italy). Microplastics resulted the principal group and found in all samples analyzed, with shape and colours variable between different sampling sites. MPs levels measured in this study are similar to values recorded in harbour sites and lower than reported in Adriatic Sea, while macroplastics levels are notably lower than in harbor sites. Sediment grain-size and island extent resulted not significant in determining levels and distribution of plastic debris among islands. In the future, following the establishment of the MPA in the study area, these basic data will be useful to check for potential protective effects on the levels and distribution of plastic debris.
Bioscience Research Center, Via Aurelia Vecchia 32, 58015 Orbetello, Italy.
Paolo
P
Fastelli
Department of Biology, Rooseveltovtrg 6, 10000, University of Zagreb, Croatia.
Andrea
A
Blašković
Department of Sciences for the Environment, University of Naples Parthenope, Via A. De Gasperi 5, 80133, Naples, Italy.
Giulia
G
Bernardi
ISPRA, Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, STS Palermo, Laboratory of Ichthyology and Marine Ecology, Milazzo, Messina, Italy.
Teresa
T
Romeo
Department of Biology, Rooseveltovtrg 6, 10000, University of Zagreb, Croatia.
Hrvoje
H
Čižmek
ISPRA, Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, STS Palermo, Laboratory of Ichthyology and Marine Ecology, Milazzo, Messina, Italy.
Franco
F
Andaloro
Department of Sciences for the Environment, University of Naples Parthenope, Via A. De Gasperi 5, 80133, Naples, Italy.
Giovanni F
GF
Russo
Bioscience Research Center, Via Aurelia Vecchia 32, 58015 Orbetello, Italy. Electronic address: cristiana.guerranti@bsrc.it.
Cristiana
C
Guerranti
Bioscience Research Center, Via Aurelia Vecchia 32, 58015 Orbetello, Italy.
Monia
M
Renzi
D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D062312:Islands; D007558:Italy; D008522:Mediterranean Sea; D010969:Plastics; D014866:Waste Products; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
D010969:Plastics; D014866:Waste Products; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
MPA; Macroplastics; Marine debris; Marine strategy framework directive; Mesoplastics; Microplastics