Paraffin waxes in the North-Western Mediterranean Sea: A comprehensive assessment in the Pelagos Sanctuary, a Specially Protected Area of Mediterranean Importance

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials Vol. 467; p. 133677
• Main Authors: Galli, M., Baini, M., Panti, C., Tepsich, P., Rosso, M., Giannini, F., Galgani, F., Fossi, M.C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 05.04.2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: Beach; Life Sciences; Marine litter; Paraffin wax; Sciences of the Universe; Sea surface; Sea-based source; Tank vessel; Tank vessel; Sea surface; Beach; Marine litter; Sea-based source; Paraffin wax
• ISSN: 0304-3894; 1873-3336; 1873-3336
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133677

Paraffin waxes are widely recognized as emerging marine pollutants, even their classification by the recent monitoring programs and the knowledge of their occurrence, and sources of contamination in marine ecosystems are poorly defined and reported. Wax presence and distribution have been evaluated in different environmental compartments in the Pelagos Sanctuary (Mediterranean Sea) floating on the sea surface and stranded on beaches, focussing on their characterization, accumulation areas and pollution inputs. More than 2500 yellow paraffin residues were detected and analysed in the study area showing a prevailing dimension smaller than 5 mm. The Genoa Canyon and the waters facing Gorgona Island resulted in the more polluted areas representing two distinct hotspots of wax accumulation potentially related to the high density of tanker vessels sailing to and from the harbour of Genova and Livorno. Higher concentrations of beached particles were found along the Tuscan coast (11 items/100 m) and on Pianosa Island (110 items/m2). This study gives valuable insights into paraffin wax pollution in the Pelagos Sanctuary, emphasizing the need for harmonized monitoring and detection methods to elucidate the potential impacts on marine organisms. Moreover, mitigating actions are crucial to prevent and curb the waxes pollution of marine ecosystems. [Display omitted] •Urgently needs to standardise wax classification and assess its ecological implications.•Paraffin waxes have been detected floating on the sea surface and stranded on beaches.•ATR-FTIR used for chemical identification reveals the PE composition of waxes.•Paraffin wax distribution seems to be related to tanker navigation routes in the North-Western Mediterranean Sea.•Management strategies are essential to address and reduce the impacts of waxes.