Beneath the water column: Uncovering microplastic pollution in the sublittoral coastal sediments of the Canary Islands, Spain

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials 2024-03, Vol.465, p.133128-133128, Article 133128
• Main Authors: Villanova-Solano, Cristina, Díaz-Peña, Francisco J., Hernández-Sánchez, Cintia, González-Sálamo, Javier, Edo, Carlos, Vega-Moreno, Daura, Fernández-Martín, Sonia, Fraile-Nuez, Eugenio, Machín, Francisco, Hernández-Borges, Javier
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Macaronesia; Marine sediment; North Atlantic; Plastic; Pollution; µFTIR
• ISSN: 0304-3894; 1873-3336
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133128

Marine ecosystems pollution by microplastics (MPs) is a global problem of special concern. The present study examines the prevalence and distribution of MPs and cellulosic particles in sublittoral coastal sediments of the Canary Islands archipelago (Spain). At twenty-six different locations alongside seven islands, three samples were taken parallel to the shoreline between 1 and 10 m depth (n = 78). Sediment samples were primarily digested with a H2O2 solution followed by four flotations in a saturated NaCl solution. The mean concentration obtained was 3.9 ± 1.6 items/g of dry weight. A similar distribution pattern was observed across all islands concerning particles morphology, color, size and composition: mainly colorless/translucent and blue fibers (60.0%). Additionally, fragments were also found, and to a much lesser extent microbeads, films and tangled messes. MicroFourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy analysis of 12.5% of the fibers, showed that they were mainly cellulosic (54.5%) -either natural or semisynthetic- followed by polyester (22.7%) and acrylic (4.5%). The potential correlation between particle distribution in nearshore sediments and wave intensity was also explored. This work provides the first comprehensive report on the current MPs content of the seabed of the region. [Display omitted] •First prevalence study of microplastics in coastal sediments of the Canary Islands.•Colorless/translucent cellulosic and polyester fibers were the types of particle most found.•A correlation of microplastic concentration/wave height was observed for most locations.•Similar morphotype and composition patterns have been observed in other samples of region.