Macrophytes: A Temporary Sink for Microplastics in Transitional Water Systems

Marine macrophytes are hypothesized to be a major temporary sink for microplastics. In this study, microplastic contamination was investigated in 15 macroalgal species and one seagrass from different sites in two lagoons of the northern Adriatic Sea: the Goro lagoon and the Venice lagoon. A high percentage (94%) of the macrophyte samples contained microplastics, ranging from 0.16 to 330 items g(-1) fw, with the prevalent size in the range 30-90 mu m and an average contamination per unit of fresh weight of 14 items g(-1) fw. Microplastic contamination displayed a site-specific, rather than a species-specific, pattern of accumulation. In addition, exopolysaccharides (EPS) displayed a significant positive correlation with the microplastics ononcontamination on macrophytes acting as glue for the plastic particles available in the water column.

Automated summary

The study investigated microplastic contamination in different species of macroalgae and seagrass from two lagoons in the northern Adriatic Sea. It found a high percentage of samples containing microplastics, with contamination levels showing a site-specific accumulation pattern rather than a species-specific one. Additionally, exopolysaccharides displayed a significant positive correlation with microplastic contamination on macrophytes.