Marine litter, in particular plastics, is a significant and growing marine contaminant that has become a global problem. Macro-litter is subject to fragmentation and degradation due to physical, chemical and biological processes, leading to the formation of micro-litter, the so-called microplastics. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the concentrations of microplastics in different environmental matrices: water, sediment and biota (i.e. mussels and fish) and to contribute to the European project MAELSTROM (Smart technology for MArinE Litter SusTainable RemOval and Management). The aim is to monitor the presence of micro-litter at two sites of the Venice coastal area: an abandoned mussel farm at sea and a lagoon site near the artificial Island of Sacca Fisola; both sites are subject to strong anthropogenic pressure. The results showed that both study areas are characterised by the presence of microplastics in all the analysed matrices and in both sites. Generally, higher microplastics concentrations were found in the Lagoon site (i.e. in surface waters, mussels and fish). Moreover, some differences were also observed in shapes and colours comparing the two sites. These differences are related to the different types of macro-litter that characterised the two areas. The distribution of marine litter is therefore related to the main anthropogenic activities of the two areas such as fishery, aquaculture, tourism and waste management.
MAELSTROM: 2022 February Microplastics assessment
Susanna Mesghez, ANTONIO PETRIZZO, Fantina Madricardo, Nicoletta Nesto, Tihana Marceta, and Vanessa Moschino. "MAELSTROM: 2022 February Microplastics assessment." ROHub. Feb 10 ,2023. https://doi.org/10.24424/cyxa-2645.
The main interest is upon marine litter pollution and in particular ranging from marco to mirco and nano size. In encompasses data from citizen science monitoring and sampling activities in cooperation with research-educational institute and centers.
Marine litter, in particular plastics, is a significant and growing marine contaminant that has become a global problem.
Economy, business and finance/Economic sector/Agriculture/Aquaculture
Generally, higher microplastics concentrations were found in the Lagoon site (i.e. in surface waters, mussels and fish). Moreover, some differences were also observed in shapes and colours comparing the two sites.
Macro-litter is subject to fragmentation and degradation due to physical, chemical and biological processes, leading to the formation of micro-litter, the so-called microplastics.
Economy, business and finance/Economic sector/Chemicals/Synthetic and plastic chemicals