Sorption of trace metals by macro- and microplastics within intertidal sediments: Insights from a long-term field study within Burrard Inlet, British Columbia, Canada.

Plastics are now the dominant fraction of anthropogenic marine debris and as a result of their long residence times, it is important to determine the threats that plastics present to marine ecosystems including their ability to sorb a diversity of environmental pollutants such as trace metals. To address this knowledge gap, this study examined the sorption of cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) by macro- and microplastics of polyethylene terephthalate (PETE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) within marine intertidal sediments in a human-impacted area of Burrard Inlet (British Columbia, Canada). Trace metal sorption by macro- and microplastics was dependent on 1) polymer characteristics, notably the aging of the plastic over the duration of the field experiment as shown by the formation of new peaks via FTIR spectra; and 2) amounts of sediment organic matter, where the sorption of trace metals by the plastic particles decreased with increasing organic matter content (from 2.

Occurrence and size distribution of microplastics in mudflat sediments of the Cowichan-Koksilah Estuary, Canada: A baseline for plastic particles contamination in an anthropogenic-influenced estuary.

Documenting the prevalence of microplastics in marine-coastal ecosystems serves as a first step towards understanding their impacts and risks presented to higher trophic levels. Estuaries exist at the interface between freshwater and marine systems, and provide habitats for a diverse suite of species, including shellfish, fish, and birds. We provide baseline values for estuarine mudflats using sediment samples collected at Cowichan-Koksilah Estuary in British Columbia, Canada, a biologically-rich estuary.

Trace Metal Residues in Marine Mussels: A Global Survey.

Pressures from anthropogenic activities are causing degradation of estuarine and coastal ecosystems around the world. Trace metals are key pollutants that are released and can partition in a range of environmental compartments, to be ultimately accumulated in exposed biota. The level of pressure varies with locations and the range and intensity of anthropogenic activities.