A large-scale investigation of microplastic contamination: Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in European beach sediment

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin Vol. 123; no. 1-2; pp. 219 - 226
• Main Authors: Lots, Froukje A.E., Behrens, Paul, Vijver, Martina G., Horton, Alice A., Bosker, Thijs
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 15.10.2017; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Abundance; Bathing Beaches; Beach sediment; Beaches; Citizen science; Colour; Contamination; Environmental Monitoring; Europe; Geologic Sediments - analysis; Locations (working); Marine pollution; Microplastics; Plastic pollution; Plastics; Plastics - analysis; Polyethylene; Polyethylenes; Polymers; Polypropylene; Sampling; Sediment; Sediment pollution; Sediment samples; Sediments; Spatial analysis; Spatial distribution; Spectrometry; Spectrum Analysis, Raman; Studies; Variability; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Europe; Beach sediment; Microplastics; Citizen science; Europe; Plastic pollution
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.08.057

Here we present the large-scale distribution of microplastic contamination in beach sediment across Europe. Sediment samples were collected from 23 locations across 13 countries by citizen scientists, and analysed using a standard operating procedure. We found significant variability in the concentrations of microplastics, ranging from 72±24 to 1512±187 microplastics per kg of dry sediment, with high variability within sampling locations. Three hotspots of microplastic accumulation (>700 microplastics per kg of dry sediment) were found. There was limited variability in the physico-chemical characteristics of the plastics across sampling locations. The majority of the microplastics were fibrous, <1mm in size, and blue/black in colour. In addition, using Raman spectrometry we identified particles as polyester, polyethylene, and polypropylene. Our research is the first large spatial-scale analysis of microplastics on European beaches giving insights into the nature and extent of the microplastic challenge. [Display omitted]