Open AccessSEASONAL VARIATIONS IN THE CONTENT OF MICROPLASTIC PARTICLES IN THE SANDS OF THE BEACH SWASH ZONE
Author(s) -
P. N. Krivoshlyk,
Irina Chubarenko
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
okeanologičeskie issledovaniâ
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2587-9634
pISSN - 1564-2291
DOI - 10.29006/1564-2291.jor-2021.49(2).4
Subject(s) - swash , microplastics , plage , surf zone , environmental science , geology , oceanography , hydrology (agriculture) , geotechnical engineering , geomorphology , shore
The paper considers the seasonal dynamics of the content of microplastic particles with a size from 0.5 to 5 mm in the sands of the surf zone of the Vistula Spit (the Baltic Sea). Microplastic particles are classified by size and color. The results are compared with the data for the Curonian Spit. It is concluded that the level of contamination with small microplastics (0.5–2 mm) of the sands of the swash zone can be used as a "background" value for the entire region and during all seasons of the year. The current level of sand contamination in the wave swash zone in the South-Eastern Baltic by small microplastic particles (0.5–2 mm) is 30–60 pieces per kg of dry weight throughout the year, while more than 90% are fibers.