Environmental Risk Assessment by Microplastics pollution on Catalonia coastal areas

Identifier:  TDX:4156

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TDX4156

Authors:  Expósito Lorenzo, Nora

Abstract:
Micoplastics (MPs) are defined as “any synthetic solid particle or polymeric matrix, with regular or irregular shape and with size ranging from 1 m to 5mm, of either primary or secondary origin, which are insoluble in water”. MPs are persistence in the environment and can be ingested by low trophic suspension, filter and deposit feeders, detritivores, and planktivorous. MPs ingested may be excreted or retained/translocated into tissues, making trophic transfer in food chain. Microplastic less than 150 m in diameter have the potential to translocate into human tissues. Animal studies and “in vitro” assays have shown possible adverse effects from exposure to MPs. The Catalan coast is analyzed as a case study because MPs pollution might to affect the good ecology state of regions as Ebro’s Delta. Among the main results are effective methods of analysis of MPs, including fluorescence with Nile Red staining and spectroscopic techniques. MPs were ubiquitous and exhibited different distribution pattern in environmental matrices (seawater surface, beaches and marine sediments) on Catalonia coast possibly by their physical-chemical properties and interaction with environmental and climate parameters. Towards to southern zones in Catalonia coast, it seems the seawater, subtidal sediments and beaches with high pollution level increases. Currently there is no threat or risk by MPs pollution >80μm sizes in seawater surface (upper pelagic compartment) on Tarragona coast.