title: Microplastics and potentially toxic elements in coastal sediments of Iran's main oil terminal (Khark Island).
abstract: Marine pollutants are becoming a growing concern due to their ecological consequences. This study investigates the potential risk posed by microplastics and toxic elements in coastal sediments of Khark Island, the main oil export hub of Iran. Principal component biplots exhibited a significant positive correlation between microplastic quantities (ranging in shape and color) and concentration of heavy metals with industrial activity. Source identification of the heavy metals indicated both natural and anthropogenic origin. Quality and risk assessment of the sediments revealed low to moderate pollution of Zn, Mo, Pb, Cu, Cd and As in some stations. Results of metal fractionation in sediments demonstrated that Cd, Mn, Zn, As and Pb are capable of posing a serious ecological risk due to potential bioavailability. Microplastics, mostly fragments and fibers, were detected in all sediment samples (ranging from 59 to 217 items/200 g dry sediment). A relatively good significant linear relationship exists between microplastic quantities and potentially toxic element/polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations in coastal sediments. The results of this study confirmed the key role of microplastics as a "potential contaminant vector" for other types of pollutants.
authors: Department of Earth Sciences, College of Science, Shiraz University, 71454 Shiraz, Iran. Electronic address: akhbarizade@shirazu.ac.ir.
authors: Razegheh
authors: R
authors: Akhbarizadeh
authors: Department of Earth Sciences, College of Science, Shiraz University, 71454 Shiraz, Iran.
authors: Farid
authors: F
authors: Moore
authors: Department of Earth Sciences, College of Science, Shiraz University, 71454 Shiraz, Iran.
authors: Behnam
authors: B
authors: Keshavarzi
authors: Health, Safety and the Environment (HSE), Department of Iranian Oil Terminal Company (IOTC), Khark, Iran.
authors: Alireza
authors: A
authors: Moeinpour
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D019015:Geologic Sediments; D007492:Iran; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D000066388:Oil and Gas Industry; D010969:Plastics / Q000633:toxicity*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D010969:Plastics; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Coastal sediments; Iran; Marine pollutants; Microplastics (MPs); Potentially toxic elements (PTEs)