Monitoring of meso and microplastic debris in Playa Grande beach (Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain) during a moon cycle

The occurrence and composition of meso (5–25 mm) and microplastics (1–5 mm) in Playa Grande beach (Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain) was monitored during a complete moon cycle on the different moon phases between 17th June and 16thJuly 2019. A total of 10 points were sampled each day finding an avera...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine pollution bulletin 2020-01, Vol.150, p.110757-110757, Article 110757
Main Authors: González-Hernández, María, Hernández-Sánchez, Cintia, González-Sálamo, Javier, López-Darias, Jessica, Hernández-Borges, Javier
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Beaches
Canary Islands
Environmental Monitoring
Fibers
Infrared spectroscopy
Islands
Lunar phases
Marine debris
Mesoplastics
Microplastics
Moon
Moon phases
Orientation
Plastics
Playas
Polyethylene
Polyethylenes
Polypropylene
Spain
Tenerife
Waste Products
Water Pollutants, Chemical
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Summary:The occurrence and composition of meso (5–25 mm) and microplastics (1–5 mm) in Playa Grande beach (Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain) was monitored during a complete moon cycle on the different moon phases between 17th June and 16thJuly 2019. A total of 10 points were sampled each day finding an average content of mesoplastics of 18 g/m2 (0.36 g/L) and of microplastics of 13 g/m2 (1277 items/m2 or 1.6 g/L). Polypropylene and polyethylene accounted for 19% and 76% of the total, respectively. Tar was also found in the 1–5 mm fraction (2% of the total). Among the particles found, 83% were fragments, 11% pellets, 4% fibres and 2% films. The obtained results revealed that microplastic presence could not be related in this case with the tides but with the orientation and strength/speed of the wind. [Display omitted] •Meso and microplastics were monitored during a moon cycle.•Average content of mesoplastics of 18 g/m2 and of microplastics of 13 g/m2 were found.•Polyethylene and polypropylene were the most abundant microplastics.•Fragments and pellets were the predominating microplastic types.•Plastic debris could not be related with the tides but with wind orientation and strength.
ISSN:0025-326X
1879-3363
DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.110757