A quantitative analysis of microplastic pollution along the south-eastern coastline of South Africa

The extent of microplastic pollution (<5 mm) in the southern hemisphere, particularly southern Africa, is largely unknown. This study aimed to evaluate microplastic pollution along the south-eastern coastline of South Africa, looking at whether bays are characterised by higher microplastic densities than open stretches of coastline in both beach sediment and surf-zone water. Microplastic (mean +/- standard error) densities in the beach sediment ranged between 688.9 +/- 348.2 and 3308 +/- 1449 particles m(-2), while those in the water column varied between 257.9 +/- 53.36 and 1215 +/- 276.7 particles m(-3). With few exceptions there were no significant spatial patterns in either the sediment or water column microplastic densities; with little differences in density between bays and the open coast (P > 0.05). These data indicate that the presence of microplastics were not associated with proximity to land-based sources or population density, but rather is governed by water circulation. (c) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.