Mediterranean sea is one of the most sampled areas for floating microplastics (MPs). However, onl... more Mediterranean sea is one of the most sampled areas for floating microplastics (MPs). However, only few investigations have been conducted at small spatial and temporal scales in coastal areas. To fill this gap, MPs ( 300 μm), at different seasons in the Rhone area and every month during one year in the Tet area. After removal of organic matter, MPs were examined under a dissecting stereo microscope. Preliminary results show highly variable MP concentrations even at small scale. Indeed, concentrations ranged from 0.05 to 0.6 items.m−3 for the Tet area with an average of 0.2 items.m−3 and from 0.1 to 0.5 items.m−3 with an average of 0.3 items.m−3 for the Rhone area. Concentrations can change by a factor of 4 between two consecutive days at the same location and by a factor of 3 between two consecutive trawls on the same day. Fibers are the most abundant shape (40–90%), followed by fragments (0–50%). Foams and films are less represented (0–20%). FTIR analysis indicates that fragments and films were mostly polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), while foams were essentially made of polystyrene (PS). Fiber analysis is ongoing. Occasional presence of lint composed of hundreds of fibers can partly explain the high differences observed at small scales, as well as fast changing river inputs. These extended observations of floating MPS in the NW Mediterranean coastal environment underlines the necessity of performing replicate sampling to get a better insight into the spatial and temporal distribution patterns of these worrying pollutants.
... M AN US CR IPT ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT Use of organic biomarkers to trace the transport of marine... more ... M AN US CR IPT ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT Use of organic biomarkers to trace the transport of marine and terrigenous organic matter through the southwestern canyons of the Gulf of Lion Catalina Pasquala, Cindy Leeb, Miguel Go ic, Tommaso Tesic,d, Anna Sanchez-Vidala ...
Mediterranean sea is one of the most sampled areas for floating microplastics (MPs). However, onl... more Mediterranean sea is one of the most sampled areas for floating microplastics (MPs). However, only few investigations have been conducted at small spatial and temporal scales in coastal areas. To fill this gap, MPs ( 300 μm), at different seasons in the Rhone area and every month during one year in the Tet area. After removal of organic matter, MPs were examined under a dissecting stereo microscope. Preliminary results show highly variable MP concentrations even at small scale. Indeed, concentrations ranged from 0.05 to 0.6 items.m−3 for the Tet area with an average of 0.2 items.m−3 and from 0.1 to 0.5 items.m−3 with an average of 0.3 items.m−3 for the Rhone area. Concentrations can change by a factor of 4 between two consecutive days at the same location and by a factor of 3 between two consecutive trawls on the same day. Fibers are the most abundant shape (40–90%), followed by fragments (0–50%). Foams and films are less represented (0–20%). FTIR analysis indicates that fragments and films were mostly polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), while foams were essentially made of polystyrene (PS). Fiber analysis is ongoing. Occasional presence of lint composed of hundreds of fibers can partly explain the high differences observed at small scales, as well as fast changing river inputs. These extended observations of floating MPS in the NW Mediterranean coastal environment underlines the necessity of performing replicate sampling to get a better insight into the spatial and temporal distribution patterns of these worrying pollutants.
... M AN US CR IPT ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT Use of organic biomarkers to trace the transport of marine... more ... M AN US CR IPT ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT Use of organic biomarkers to trace the transport of marine and terrigenous organic matter through the southwestern canyons of the Gulf of Lion Catalina Pasquala, Cindy Leeb, Miguel Go ic, Tommaso Tesic,d, Anna Sanchez-Vidala ...
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