Microplastics in Beach Sediments of the Sea of Azov: Morphological and Morphometric Features

A. E. Glushko*, L. A. Bespalova

Southern Federal University, Rostov-on-Don, Russia

* e-mail: arinaglushko01@gmail.com

Abstract

This paper aims at assessment of microplastics concentrations on the beaches of the Sea of Azov and research of morphological features, size of particles, level and ways of degradation (or destruction) of microplastics. During the study, 126 samples of beach deposits were taken at 14 points of the beaches of the Sea of Azov and Kerch Strait. The samples were processed using the modified method NOAA. The analysis showed pollutant’s presence in 100 % of the samples. The concentration of microplastics particles in sand samples from different areas of the beach varies from 12 to 112 pieces per 1 m2. The highest concentration was found on the beaches in Taganrog and the village of Ilyich. Morphological features of the particles were studied using a stereo microscope (Micromed MC-1 2C Digital). Translucent fibres and membranes prevailed in all the samples. Study of size frequency showed that the most frequently observed are particles of 0.2 mm, the median of size range being 0.5 mm. Types of microplastics degradation were determined using a scanning electron microscope (VEGA II LMU). Dissection, fracturing, and splitting were recorded.

Keywords

plastic litter, microplastics, beach deposits, morphological features, morphometric features, Sea of Azov.

Acknowledgments

The authors express their gratitude and appreciation to Yu.V. Popov, head of the Center for Research of Mineral Raw Materials and the State of the Environment (Southern Federal University), for his help in the study of microplastics particles using a scanning electron microscope VEGA II LMU.

The research was performed as part of the RFBR scientific project no. 18-05-80082: "The regularities of the formation of hazardous coastal processes in the Sea of Azov and the socio-economic consequences of their acts".

For citation

Glushko, A.E. and Bespalova, L.A., 2021. Microplastics in Beach Sediments of the Sea of Azov: Morphological and Morphometric Features. Ecological Safety of Coastal and Shelf Zones of Sea, (1), pp. 99–110. doi:10.22449/2413-5577-2021-1-99-110 (in Russian).

DOI

10.22449/2413-5577-2021-1-99-110

References

  1. Zobkov, M.B. and Esiukova, E.E., 2018. Microplastics in a Marine Environment: Review of Methods for Sampling, Processing, and Analyzing Microplastics in Water, Bottom Sediments, and Coastal Deposits. Oceanology, 58(1), pp. 137–143. https://doi.org/10.1134/S0001437017060169
  2. Barnes, D.K.A., Galgani, F., Thompson, R.C. and Barlaz, M., 2009. Accumulation and Fragmentation of Plastic Debris in Global Environments. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 364(1526), pp. 1985–1998. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2008.0205
  3. Gregory, M.R., 2009. Environmental Implications of Plastic Debris in Marine Settings − Entanglement, Ingestion, Smothering, Hangers-On, Hitch-Hiking and Alien Invasions. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 364(1526), pp. 2013−2025. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2008.0265
  4. GESAMP, 2015. Sources, Fate and Effects of Microplastics in the Marine Environment: a Global Assessment. Reports and Studies, No. 90, 96 p. Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/environment/marine/good-environmental-status/descriptor-10/pdf/GESAMP_microplastics%20full%20study.pdf [Accessed: 16 February 2021].
  5. Rilling, M.C., 2012. Microplastic in Terrestrial Ecosystems and the Soil? Environmental Science and Technology, 46(12), pp. 6453–6454. https://doi.org/10.1021/es302011r
  6. Browne, M.A., Crump, P., Niven, S.J., Teuten, E.L., Tonkin, A., Galloway, T. and Thompson, R.C., 2011. Accumulations of Microplastic on Shorelines Worldwide: Sources and Sinks. Environmental Science and Technology, 45(21), pp. 9175−9179. https://doi.org/10.1021/es201811s
  7. Rios, L.M., Jones, P.R., Moore, C. and Narayan, U.V., 2010. Quantitation of Persistent Organic Pollutants Adsorbed on Plastic Debris from the Northern Pacific Gyre’s “Eastern Garbage Patch”. Journal of Environmental Monitoring, 12, pp. 2226–2236. https://doi.org/10.1039/c0em00239a
  8. Ashton, K., Holmes, L. and Turner, A., 2010. Association of Metals with Plastic Production Pellets in the Marine Environment. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 60(11), pp. 2050–2055. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2010.07.014
  9. Bagaev, A.V., Verzhevskaya, L.V. and Litvinyuk, D.A., 2020. [Review of Microplastics Research in Russia: Seas, Beaches, Bottom Sediments]. In: MHI, 2020. All-Russian Scientific Conference Seas of Russia: Studies of Coastal and Shelf Areas (21–25 September, Sevastopol): Conference Proceedings. Sevastopol, 2020, pp. 225–227 (in Russian).
  10. Glushko, A.E., Bespalova, L.A., Pet’ko, A.V. and Shekhurdin, G.G., 2020. Microplastics Pollution of Beaches and Coastal Waters of the Sea of Azov. In: SSC RAS Publishers, 2020. Regularities of Formation and Impact of Marine and Atmospheric Hazardous Phenomena and Disasters on the Coastal Zone of the Russian Federation under the Conditions of Global Climatic and Industrial Challenges (“Dangerous Phenomena – II”) in memory of Corresponding Member RAS D.G. Matishov: Proceedings of the International Scientific Conference (Rostov-on-Don, 6–10 July 2020). Rostov-on-Don: SSC RAS Publishers, рp. 154–157 (in Russian).
  11. Zobkov, M. and Esiukova, E., 2017. Microplastics in Baltic Bottom Sediments: Quantification Procedures and First Results. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 114(2), pp. 724–732. doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.10.060
  12. Masura, J., Baker, J., Foster, G. and Arthur, C., 2015. Laboratory Methods for the Analysis of Microplastics in the Marine Environment: Recommendations for Quantifying Synthetic Particles in Watersand Sediments. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-OR&R-48. Silver Sрring: NOAA Marine Debris Division, 31 p. Available at: https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/publications-files/noaa_microplastics_methods_manual.pdf [Accessed: 16 February 2021]
  13. Hidalgo-Ruz, V., Gutow, L., Thompson, R.C. and Thiel, M., 2012. Microplastics in the Marine Environment: a Review of the Methods Used for Identification and Quantification. Environmental Science and Technology, 46(6), pp. 3060–3075. https://doi.org/10.1021/es2031505
  14. Norén, F., 2007. Small Plastic Particles in Coastal Swedish Waters. KIMO Report. 11 p. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/284312290_Small_plastic_particles_in_Coastal_Swedish_waters/link/571203c608ae4ef74525ec38/download [Accessed: 16 February 2021].
  15. Chubarenko, I., Bagaiev, A., Zobkov, M. and Esiukova, E., 2016. On Some Physical and Dynamical Properties of Microplastic Particles in Marine Environment. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 108(1–2), pp. 105–112. doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.04.048

Full text

English version (PDF)

Russian version (PDF)