Microplastics (10 µm-5 mm) in European Atlantic Coastal Waters
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: ABSTRACT Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive pollutants in coastal waters, raising significant ecological concerns. This study assessed the abundance and characteristics of small-sized MPs (down to 10 µm) across European Atlantic coastal sites using harmonized sampling and analytical methods. A filter-pump microplastic sampler, the "Universal Filtering Object" (UFO), was employed at all sites, with Manta net (300-µm mesh) sampling conducted at selected locations. Microplastic concentrations ranged from <10 MPs m -3 to >1600 MPs m -3 , with the Gulf of Finland showing the lowest concentration (5 MPs m -3 ) and the Scheldt estuary in Belgium the highest (1603 MPs m -3 ). Most MPs (80%) were <300 µm, primarily consisting of polyester, polypropylene, and polyethylene fragments. Manta net sampling consistently underestimated both total microplastic concentrations and microplastics larger than 300 µm compared to UFO sampling. Estuaries and wastewater effluents were identified as pollution hotspots, strongly influencing local MP distributions. The median microplastic concentration found in European Atlantic waters in this study was lower than the global median for coastal waters measured using pump-based sampling devices. Although current MP levels are unlikely to pose an immediate risk to the marine pelagic food web, the projected increase in plastic production, combined with its low degradability and chemical leaching, underscores the urgency of implementing mitigation measures to prevent future environmental impacts.
Source: Environmental Advances
Authors: Natalja Buhhalko, Gunaalan Kuddithamby, Alvise Vianello, Anna Rotander, Leticia Vidal-Liñán, Ricardo Beiras, Mathilde Falcou-Préfol, Raewyn M. Town, Ketil Hylland, Bénédicte Morin, Jérôme Cachot, Christelle Clérandeau, Ronny Blust, Torkel Gissel Nielsen, Urmas Lips, Francesca Garaventa, Jes Vollertsen, Francesco Regoli, Rodrigo Almeda
Institutions: Tallinn University of Technology, National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics, University of Jaffna, Aalborg University, Technical University of Denmark, Örebro University, Universidade de Vigo, University of Antwerp, Ghent University, University of Oslo, Norwegian Institute of Marine Research, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Environnements et Paléoenvironnements Océaniques et Continentaux, Institut Polytechnique de Bordeaux, National Research Council, Institute for the Study of Anthropic Impact and Sustainability in the Marine Environment, Marche Polytechnic University, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Language: English
Subfield: Pollution
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,920
Funders: Innovationsfonden, Eesti Teadusagentuur, Belgian Federal Science Policy Office, Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, Ministry of Education, India, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Danmarks Tekniske Universitet, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Vlaamse regering, European Marine Biological Resource Centre Belgium, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Agencia Estatal de Investigación
Awards: G1216208713, G1566988840, G1855990336, Avalição do risco da poluição por microplásticos em ecosistemas marinhos, G2262748287, G2534449817, G2617527259, G2660406951, G2664952705, G3115937806, G3480869486, G3518538256, G3547276917, Hazard Evaluation of Emerging Non-Phthalate Plasticizers: Environmentally Relevant Approach, G425668148, Toward a risk-based assessment of microplastic pollution in marine ecosystems (RESPONSE)., G4943818560, G5116985412, G5421974903, The Flemish contribution to the European Marine Biological Resource Centre (EMBRC-ERIC), G5805502524, G7072735183, G7084143925, G7167357251, Towards an analytical strategies toolbox to detect and characterize small microplastics and nanoplastics particles in aquatic environments, G7602625202, G8136461408, G8433299149, G8920660035
OpenAlex ID: W4410878254