The role of oceanographic processes and sedimentological settings on the deposition of microplastics in marine sediment: Icelandic waters

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin Vol. 164; p. 111976
• Main Authors: Loughlin, Christine, Marques Mendes, Ana R., Morrison, Liam, Morley, Audrey
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2021
• Subjects: Ecosystem; Environmental Monitoring; Geologic Sediments; Iceland; Microfiber; Microplastic; Microplastics; Oceans and Seas; Plastics; Raman spectroscopy; Sediment; Shelf; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Iceland; Shelf; Sediment; Microfiber; Microplastic; Raman spectroscopy
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.111976

The global distribution of microplastic debris on the sea floor poses an increasing risk to marine organisms and ecosystems. Here, we present a distribution analysis of microplastics collected from eight marine multicores recovered from the Iceland continental shelf and surrounding areas at water depth between 241 and 1628 m. We report a total of 306 microplastics from the size range > 250 μm −5 mm, of which all were fibers. Microplastic numbers range between 0.119 and 0.768 per gram of dry sediments. In the analysis we assess the potential role of oceanic surface and bottom water currents, organic content, and sediment type on the distribution, deposition, and burial of microplastics in marine sediments. Our results provide the first record of microplastic pollution of marine sediments from the Iceland continental shelf and identify Atlantic Cod feeding and breeding grounds as potential hot spot for the accumulation of marine debris. [Display omitted] •306 Microplastics (>250μm -5mm) were found in Iceland marine sediments, all of which were fibers•A higher concentration of microplastics/gram was linked to low energy depositional environments (fine grain size <63 μm).•The number of microplastics range from 0.119 to 0.768 per gram of dry sediments.•Potential link between high microplastic abundance and fishing activity over known cod feeding and spawning grounds.•Positive correlation between high organic matter and microplastic abundance.