TY - JOUR
T1 - Surface layer microplastic pollution in four bays of the central Mexican Pacific
AU - Kozak, Eva R.
AU - Franco-Gordo, Carmen
AU - Mendoza-Pérez, Jorge
AU - Sánchez-Nuño, Nancy
AU - Martínez-Sánchez, Xenia A.
AU - Melo-Agustín, Paola
AU - Pelayo-Martínez, Gloria
AU - Gómez-Gutiérrez, Jaime
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Elsevier Ltd
PY - 2021/8
Y1 - 2021/8
N2 - Surface microplastics were sampled monthly in four tropical bays (Manzanillo, Santiago, Navidad and Cuastecomates) of the central Mexican Pacific during March 2017 to February 2018. Microplastic concentrations ranged between 0.01 and 1.05 particles/m2 with a median per bay ranging between 0.26 and 0.40 particles/m2. Raman spectroscopy registered polypropylene (40%), polyethylene (40%) and polyester (20%) polymers. Fibers dominated all samples, except for Manzanillo where fragments numerically dominated during the rainy season (Jun-Oct). Fiber concentration was not significantly different among bays or seasons, likely associated with continuous wastewater discharge. Fragment concentrations were significantly higher in Bahía Manzanillo and Santiago than the other two bays. Non-metric multidimensional scaling showed distinct distribution of Manzanillo samples (which has important port activities) as compared to Santiago, Navidad, Cuastecomates (where tourism economic activities predominate). This first direct comparison of sea surface microplastic concentration among four bays in Mexico provides a baseline to study impacts on marine zooplankton in this tropical ecosystem.
AB - Surface microplastics were sampled monthly in four tropical bays (Manzanillo, Santiago, Navidad and Cuastecomates) of the central Mexican Pacific during March 2017 to February 2018. Microplastic concentrations ranged between 0.01 and 1.05 particles/m2 with a median per bay ranging between 0.26 and 0.40 particles/m2. Raman spectroscopy registered polypropylene (40%), polyethylene (40%) and polyester (20%) polymers. Fibers dominated all samples, except for Manzanillo where fragments numerically dominated during the rainy season (Jun-Oct). Fiber concentration was not significantly different among bays or seasons, likely associated with continuous wastewater discharge. Fragment concentrations were significantly higher in Bahía Manzanillo and Santiago than the other two bays. Non-metric multidimensional scaling showed distinct distribution of Manzanillo samples (which has important port activities) as compared to Santiago, Navidad, Cuastecomates (where tourism economic activities predominate). This first direct comparison of sea surface microplastic concentration among four bays in Mexico provides a baseline to study impacts on marine zooplankton in this tropical ecosystem.
KW - Fibers
KW - Ocean pollution
KW - Plastics
KW - Raman spectroscopy
KW - Synthetic polymers
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85107112221&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112537
DO - 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112537
M3 - Artículo
C2 - 34062323
AN - SCOPUS:85107112221
SN - 0025-326X
VL - 169
JO - Marine Pollution Bulletin
JF - Marine Pollution Bulletin
M1 - 112537
ER -