Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast |
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| Authors: | Claessens Michiel De Meester Steven Van Landuyt Lieve De Clerck Karen Janssen Colin R |
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| Institution: | a Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Jozef Plateaustraat 22, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
b Department of Textiles, Ghent University, Technologiepark 907, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium |
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| Abstract: | Plastic debris is known to undergo fragmentation at sea, which leads to the formation of microscopic particles of plastic; the so called ‘microplastics’. Due to their buoyant and persistent properties, these microplastics have the potential to become widely dispersed in the marine environment through hydrodynamic processes and ocean currents. In this study, the occurrence and distribution of microplastics was investigated in Belgian marine sediments from different locations (coastal harbours, beaches and sublittoral areas).Particles were found in large numbers in all samples, showing the wide distribution of microplastics in Belgian coastal waters. The highest concentrations were found in the harbours where total microplastic concentrations of up to 390 particles kg−1 dry sediment were observed, which is 15-50 times higher than reported maximum concentrations of other, similar study areas.The depth profile of sediment cores suggested that microplastic concentrations on the beaches reflect the global plastic production increase. |
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| Keywords: | Microplastics Marine debris Belgium Sediment FT-IR spectroscopy Time trends |
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