title: Plastic debris and microplastics along the beaches of the Strait of Hormuz, Persian Gulf.
abstract: Currently little is known about the prevalence of plastics and microplastics (MPs) in the Persian Gulf. Five sampling stations were selected along the Strait of Hormuz (Iran) that exhibited different levels of industrialization and urbanization, and included a marine protected area. Debris was observed and sediments were collected for MPs extraction via fluidization/floatation methodology. The order of MP abundance (par/kg) generally reflected the level of anthropogenic activity: Bostanu (1258±291)>Gorsozan (122±23)>Khor-e-Yekshabeh (26±6)>Suru (14±4)>Khor-e-Azini (2±1). Across all sites fibers dominated (83%, 11% film, 6% fragments). FT-IR analysis showed polyethylene (PE), nylon, and PET (polyethylene terephthalate) were the commonly recovered polymers. Likely sources include beach debris, discarded fishing gear, and urban and industrial outflows that contain fibers from clothes. This study provides a 'snapshot' of MP pollution and longitudinal studies are required to fully understand plastic contamination in the region.
authors.affiliation: Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Marine Science and Technology, Hormozgan University, Bandar Abbas, Iran. Electronic address: abolfazlnaji@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Abolfazl
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Naji
authors.affiliation: Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Marine Science and Technology, Hormozgan University, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
authors.forename: Zinat
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Esmaili
authors.affiliation: Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, Universitetsvej 1, PO Box 260, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark.. Electronic address: frkhan@ruc.dk.
authors.forename: Farhan R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Khan
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D019156:Indian Ocean; D007492:Iran; D010969:Plastics / Q000032:analysis*; D020959:Polyethylene / Q000032:analysis; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D014507:Urbanization; D014866:Waste Products / Q000032:analysis*; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D010969:Plastics; D014866:Waste Products; D014873:Water Pollutants; D020959:Polyethylene
keywords: Iran; MP characteristics; Plastic debris: microplastics; Sediment extraction