Work

Characterization of Mesoplastic on Albanian Beach

Year: 2024

Type: conference-paper

Abstract: Plastic waste poses substantial risks to marine species and human health. While considerable research has been conducted on microplastics (25 mm), a significant knowledge gap regarding mesoplastics (5 – 25 mm) remains. This research aims to enhance the understanding of mesoplastics and their potential environmental impact through comprehensive characterization. Sampling campaign was conducted on beach in Albania, where meso-sized plastics were collected and analyzed following Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) sample collection method for mesolitter fragments and plastic pellets along the European coastline. Using the Saturna Imaging System, mesoplastics were characterized based on morphology, size, and color. Their composition was determined using Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and a multi-element analysis with micro-X-ray fluorescence (µXRF) was employed to identify metals and other elements incorporated during plastic production.

Source: IEEE International Workshop on Metrology for the Sea; Learning to Measure Sea Health Parameters (MetroSea)

DOI: 10.1109/metrosea62823.2024.10765627

Authors: Yannick Claes, Javier Delgado Gallardo, Kledisa Çela, Meivis Struga, Andreja Palatinus, Milica Velimirovic

Institutions: University Colleges Leuven-Limburg, Flemish Institute for Technological Research, National Institute of Chemistry

Language: English

Topic: Microplastics and Plastic Pollution

Subfield: Pollution

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Life below water, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: green

Funder: European Commission