TY - JOUR
T1 - Microplastic particles in sediments of Lagoon of Venice, Italy
T2 - First observations on occurrence, spatial patterns and identification
AU - Vianello, A.
AU - Boldrin, A.
AU - Guerriero, P.
AU - Moschino, V.
AU - Rella, R.
AU - Sturaro, A.
AU - Da Ros, L.
PY - 2013/9/20
Y1 - 2013/9/20
N2 - In order to improve knowledge of the identification, distribution and abundances of microplastic particles of 1mm or less (S-MPPs) in the coastal area of the Mediterranean region, a preliminary monitoring survey was carried out in a transitional environment along the north-eastern Italian coasts, the Lagoon of Venice. S-MPPs were evaluated in sediments collected from 10 sites chosen in shallow areas variously affected by natural conditions and anthropogenic influences (i.e., landward stations influenced by freshwater inputs, seaward areas near sea inlets, and sites influenced by the presence of aquaculture farms, industry and city centers). S-MPPs, extracted from bulk sediments by density separation, were counted and identified by Fourier-Transform Infrared Micro-spectroscopy (μFT-IR). The μFT-IR process included automatic surface chemical mapping and references to an infrared library database to identify the compositional spectra of particles. S-MPPs were recovered from all samples - a fact which emphasizes their extensive distribution throughout the Lagoon. Total abundances varied from 2175 to 672S-MPPskg-1d.w., higher concentrations generally being observed in landward sites. Of the ten polymer types identified, the most abundant, accounting for more than 82% of total S-MPPs, were polyethylene and polypropylene. The most frequent size (93% of observed microplastics) was in the range 30-500μm. Total S-MPP values were significantly correlated with the finer sediment fraction and with the metal pollution index.
AB - In order to improve knowledge of the identification, distribution and abundances of microplastic particles of 1mm or less (S-MPPs) in the coastal area of the Mediterranean region, a preliminary monitoring survey was carried out in a transitional environment along the north-eastern Italian coasts, the Lagoon of Venice. S-MPPs were evaluated in sediments collected from 10 sites chosen in shallow areas variously affected by natural conditions and anthropogenic influences (i.e., landward stations influenced by freshwater inputs, seaward areas near sea inlets, and sites influenced by the presence of aquaculture farms, industry and city centers). S-MPPs, extracted from bulk sediments by density separation, were counted and identified by Fourier-Transform Infrared Micro-spectroscopy (μFT-IR). The μFT-IR process included automatic surface chemical mapping and references to an infrared library database to identify the compositional spectra of particles. S-MPPs were recovered from all samples - a fact which emphasizes their extensive distribution throughout the Lagoon. Total abundances varied from 2175 to 672S-MPPskg-1d.w., higher concentrations generally being observed in landward sites. Of the ten polymer types identified, the most abundant, accounting for more than 82% of total S-MPPs, were polyethylene and polypropylene. The most frequent size (93% of observed microplastics) was in the range 30-500μm. Total S-MPP values were significantly correlated with the finer sediment fraction and with the metal pollution index.
KW - μFT-IR analysis
KW - Coastal pollution
KW - Lagoon of Venice
KW - Microplastic
KW - Transitional waters
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84883141611&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.ecss.2013.03.022
DO - 10.1016/j.ecss.2013.03.022
M3 - Journal article
AN - SCOPUS:84883141611
SN - 0272-7714
VL - 130
SP - 54
EP - 61
JO - Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science
JF - Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science
ER -