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An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea

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Abstract

This study examines the distribution, abundance and characteristics of surface micro- and mesoplastic debris in the Western Mediterranean Sea. 41 samples were collected in 2011 (summer) and 2012 (summer). Results, firstly, revealed that micro- (<5 mm) and mesoplastic debris were widely and uniformly distributed in this area with average concentrations of 130,000 parts/km2 and 5700 parts/km2, respectively. Importantly, a strong correlation between micro- and mesoplastic concentrations was identified. Secondly, a classification based on the shape and appearance of microplastics indicated the predominant presence of fragments (73 %) followed by thin films (14 %). Thirdly, the average mass ratio of microplastic to dry organic matter has been measured at 0.5, revealing a significant presence of microplastics in comparison to plankton. Finally, a correction method was applied in order to correct wind mixing effect on microplastics’ vertical distribution. This data allows for a comprehensive view, for the first time, of the spatial distribution and nature of plastic debris in the Western Mediterranean Sea.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the crew who participated in the samples collection, as much as all the students who contributed to develop the interest in marine plastic pollution at EPFL. We would also like to thank the volunteer members of Oceaneye who made possible the completion of this study.

Compliance with ethical standards

This study was supported by all the members and donators of Oceaneye, and in particular the Gelbert Foundation. This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors. The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Oceaneye Association, Rue Royaume 10, 1201, Geneva, Switzerland

    Florian Faure, Camille Saini, Gaël Potter & Pascal Hagmann

  2. Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Central Environmental Laboratory, EPFL-ENAC-IIE-GR-CEL, Bâtiment GR Station 2, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland

    Florian Faure & Luiz Felippe de Alencastro

  3. Ifremer, Institut français de recherche pour l’exploitation de la mer, Z.I Furiani, Immeuble Agostini, 20600 Bastia, France

    François Galgani

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  1. Florian Faure
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  2. Camille Saini
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  5. Luiz Felippe de Alencastro
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Correspondence to Pascal Hagmann.

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Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

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Faure, F., Saini, C., Potter, G. et al. An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea. Environ Sci Pollut Res 22, 12190–12197 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-015-4453-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-015-4453-3

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