Presence of microplastics in marine sediments; quest for new methods

The overall objective of the proposal is to review and modify a protocol for extraction of MPs from marine sediments.

-Propose and validate a new isolation methodology

-Improve the mapping technique with micro FTIR using the transmission mode

-Write an SOP to facilitate the assessment of marine plastic pollution status

Despite global concerns, plastic products represent 80% of marine litter found in survey studies around the world (UNEP, 2016), considering the magnitude and the spread of plastic contamination, some authors refer to the current period as the plasticene (Boucher and Friot, 2017; Reed, 2015). Accumulations of plastic waste can be found along the coastline because of wind, ocean currents, river outflows and through direct littering of beach visitors. Plastics released in the environment, are exposed to harsh conditions: UV radiation, elevated temperatures, physical impact, erosion, resulting in brittleness and breakage into smaller pieces. Ocean has been serving as a sink for decades. Many studies have addressed mechanisms for transportation and distribution of small microplastics in sea water: biofouling, biofilm formation, aggregation, ingestion, and feces disposal being the main reasons for sedimentation of plastics and its presence in organic matter.

Small plastic pieces can be ingested by living organisms along the food web becoming a possible risk to human health.   Our Lab is searching for new methodology to facilitate the extraction of microplastics from the sediment in an environmentally sound way.

• http://www.microplasticos.com