Impact of Coastal Sediments of the Northern Dvina River on Microplastics Inputs to the White and Barents Seas

The Northern Dvina River flowing into the White Sea may be one of the main sources of microplastic (MP) pollution in the Arctic region. The coastal sediments of the Northern Dvina River act as an intermediate link in the transport of microplastics to the areas of the White and Barents Seas. The mu FT-IR and Py-GC/MS methods were used to determine that up to 200 particles or 120 mg of MP per kg could accumulate in the coastal sediments of the Northern Dvina River. Coastal sediments tend to accumulate ABS and PS plastic particles with a particle size of around 200 mu m. The accumulated microplastics (218 particles or 117 mg per kg of sediment per year) are carried away by strong currents, especially during spring flooding, resulting in pollution of the Barents and White Seas. The obtained data play an important role in assessing the MP pollution of the Arctic region, especially the White and Barents Seas.

Automated summary

The Northern Dvina River may be a major source of microplastic pollution in the Arctic region, with coastal sediments acting as an intermediate link in the transport of microplastics to the White and Barents Seas. The study found that a significant amount of microplastic particles, particularly ABS and PS plastics, accumulate in the coastal sediments and are carried away by strong currents, leading to pollution of the Barents and White Seas.