Given the important ecological role of estuaries and implications of microplastics (MPs) in ecosystems, we assessed the occurrence, abundance, size, and polymer types of MPs present in the sediments of the Qarasu estuary in 2019. MPs were extracted from sediments by density separation, after which they were detected under a stereomicroscope and considered according to shape, size and color. Identification was implemented using Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). The abundance and size of MPs in the samples ranged between 40 and 460 particles/kg and 200-5000 μm, respectively. The dominant shape of MPs was fiber (72%), followed by fragment (26%) and film (2%). Black and white were the most abundant colors with 48% and 29%, respectively. In total, 4 MPs polymers including polypropylene (33%), polyethylene (24%), polyamide (21%), and polystyrene (14%) were identified. Results from PCA showed that stations with a high abundance of microplastics had a significant correlation with the amount of clay.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155913 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Spatial and temporal distribution of physicochemical parameters of water in Gorgan Bay (the southeast of the Caspian Sea - Iran): Fundamentals for the monitoring of the Caspian Sea coastal areas.
Mar Pollut Bull
April 2024
Department of Fisheries, College Natural Resources, Gonbad Kavous University, Iran.
Gorgan Bay as a main part of the Miankaleh (a natural biosphere reserve registered by UNESCO) is one of the richest ecological area in the West Asia and very important internationally recognized refuge for the wildlife. To date, multi physicochemical parameters have not been examined on a large scale. To fill this knowledge gap, the present study aimed to explore the seasonal and spatial variability of water quality parameters of the bay.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCalculation and modeling of Th distribution in Gorgan Bay in the Caspian Sea.
J Environ Radioact
June 2023
Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Arak University, Arak, Iran. Electronic address:
The aim of this study was to obtain a relationship that can estimate the emission pattern of Th in calm and low pressure aquatic environments such as Gorgan Bay. The Th emission pattern in sediments near the outlets of Gaz and Qarasu rivers using experimental data measured by gamma radiation spectrometry using high purity germanium (HPGe) detector and quasi-experimental model recommended by IAEA 2001 as well as the concentric circular diffusion model proposed by authors was investigated. The mean specific activity of Th in sediment samples for Gaz Block and Qarasu Block is 30.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicroplastic contamination in the sediments of Qarasu estuary in Gorgan Bay, south-east of Caspian Sea, Iran.
Sci Total Environ
September 2022
Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, v.le G. Marconi 446, 00146 Roma, Italy.
Given the important ecological role of estuaries and implications of microplastics (MPs) in ecosystems, we assessed the occurrence, abundance, size, and polymer types of MPs present in the sediments of the Qarasu estuary in 2019. MPs were extracted from sediments by density separation, after which they were detected under a stereomicroscope and considered according to shape, size and color. Identification was implemented using Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDifferent land uses influenced on characteristics and distribution of microplastics in Qarasu Basin Rivers, Gorgan Bay, Caspian Sea.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int
September 2022
Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Marine Sciences, Hormozgan University, Bandar Abbas, Hormozgan, Iran.
Concerns about the negative effects of microplastics (MPs) on human health have led to increasing attention to the occurrence of MPs in the aquatic environment. Recent studies have focus on the spatio-temporal distribution of MPs in rivers for residential and agricultural areas. Qarasu River Basin, watershed to Gorgan Bay, is the site of many permanent rivers and the levels of MP pollution in those rivers are unknown.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!