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Training Programme on Regional Ocean Governance for the 30 th November 2016Mediterranean Black Baltic and Caspian Seas
Microplastics in the marine environment
- Generalities Assessment
amp Monitoring Techniques -
By Kristina Edwards
Introduction
Introduction
Plastic material = ldquoplastikosrdquo (Greek) ldquoplasticusrdquo (Latin) ndash fit for molding
Mixture of (semi-)synthetic polymers obtained through industrial process of polycondensation (thermosetting plastics1) or polymerization (thermoplastics2)
1 it hardens when heated2 it gets pasty when heated
Aubry 2004Bellis 2011PlasticsEurope 2016
Introduction
Lightamp
Practical
Resistant amp
Slowly degrad
ed
Aesthetic
Waterproofinsulating
Asepticised
Limit CO2 emissions
Cheaper
5
laquo CHANGE IS POSSIBLE raquo
laquo Plastic everywhere raquo
laquo plastics [hellip] are also in our food chain raquo
laquo Only a fraction of the plastic that we produce is recycledraquo
laquo 276 pieces of plastic inside a 190 day-old chick raquo
Introductionwwwplasticoceansorgfilm
6
Introduction
laquo CHANGE IS POSSIBLE raquo
laquo Plastic everywhere raquo
laquo plastics [hellip] are also in our food chain raquo
laquo Only a fraction of the plastic that we produce is recycledraquo
laquo 276 pieces of plastic inside a 190 day-old chick raquo
Introduction
Introduction
Plastic material = ldquoplastikosrdquo (Greek) ldquoplasticusrdquo (Latin) ndash fit for molding
Mixture of (semi-)synthetic polymers obtained through industrial process of polycondensation (thermosetting plastics1) or polymerization (thermoplastics2)
1 it hardens when heated2 it gets pasty when heated
Aubry 2004Bellis 2011PlasticsEurope 2016
Introduction
Lightamp
Practical
Resistant amp
Slowly degrad
ed
Aesthetic
Waterproofinsulating
Asepticised
Limit CO2 emissions
Cheaper
5
laquo CHANGE IS POSSIBLE raquo
laquo Plastic everywhere raquo
laquo plastics [hellip] are also in our food chain raquo
laquo Only a fraction of the plastic that we produce is recycledraquo
laquo 276 pieces of plastic inside a 190 day-old chick raquo
Introductionwwwplasticoceansorgfilm
6
Introduction
laquo CHANGE IS POSSIBLE raquo
laquo Plastic everywhere raquo
laquo plastics [hellip] are also in our food chain raquo
laquo Only a fraction of the plastic that we produce is recycledraquo
laquo 276 pieces of plastic inside a 190 day-old chick raquo
Introduction
Plastic material = ldquoplastikosrdquo (Greek) ldquoplasticusrdquo (Latin) ndash fit for molding
Mixture of (semi-)synthetic polymers obtained through industrial process of polycondensation (thermosetting plastics1) or polymerization (thermoplastics2)
1 it hardens when heated2 it gets pasty when heated
Aubry 2004Bellis 2011PlasticsEurope 2016
Introduction
Lightamp
Practical
Resistant amp
Slowly degrad
ed
Aesthetic
Waterproofinsulating
Asepticised
Limit CO2 emissions
Cheaper
5
laquo CHANGE IS POSSIBLE raquo
laquo Plastic everywhere raquo
laquo plastics [hellip] are also in our food chain raquo
laquo Only a fraction of the plastic that we produce is recycledraquo
laquo 276 pieces of plastic inside a 190 day-old chick raquo
Introductionwwwplasticoceansorgfilm
6
Introduction
laquo CHANGE IS POSSIBLE raquo
laquo Plastic everywhere raquo
laquo plastics [hellip] are also in our food chain raquo
laquo Only a fraction of the plastic that we produce is recycledraquo
laquo 276 pieces of plastic inside a 190 day-old chick raquo
Introduction
Lightamp
Practical
Resistant amp
Slowly degrad
ed
Aesthetic
Waterproofinsulating
Asepticised
Limit CO2 emissions
Cheaper
5
laquo CHANGE IS POSSIBLE raquo
laquo Plastic everywhere raquo
laquo plastics [hellip] are also in our food chain raquo
laquo Only a fraction of the plastic that we produce is recycledraquo
laquo 276 pieces of plastic inside a 190 day-old chick raquo
Introductionwwwplasticoceansorgfilm
6
Introduction
laquo CHANGE IS POSSIBLE raquo
laquo Plastic everywhere raquo
laquo plastics [hellip] are also in our food chain raquo
laquo Only a fraction of the plastic that we produce is recycledraquo
laquo 276 pieces of plastic inside a 190 day-old chick raquo
5
laquo CHANGE IS POSSIBLE raquo
laquo Plastic everywhere raquo
laquo plastics [hellip] are also in our food chain raquo
laquo Only a fraction of the plastic that we produce is recycledraquo
laquo 276 pieces of plastic inside a 190 day-old chick raquo
Introductionwwwplasticoceansorgfilm
6
Introduction
laquo CHANGE IS POSSIBLE raquo
laquo Plastic everywhere raquo
laquo plastics [hellip] are also in our food chain raquo
laquo Only a fraction of the plastic that we produce is recycledraquo
laquo 276 pieces of plastic inside a 190 day-old chick raquo
6
Introduction
laquo CHANGE IS POSSIBLE raquo
laquo Plastic everywhere raquo
laquo plastics [hellip] are also in our food chain raquo
laquo Only a fraction of the plastic that we produce is recycledraquo
laquo 276 pieces of plastic inside a 190 day-old chick raquo
7
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
8
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
= Invention of parkesine plastic based on cellulose
A Parkes
9
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
1
= Invention of celluloid
to substitute
ivory billiard balls
JW Hyatt
10
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
1
= Invention of bakelite first plastic
totally man-made
LH Baekela
nd
11
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
1= Innovation
for manufacturing process of
PVC
F Klatte
12
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
1= Invention
of 66 Polyamid (nylon)
WH Carother
s
13
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
Creation of new plastic materials
eg PS nylon LDPE PU Teflon PET
14
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
Constant increase of plastic production amp
consumptionie Plastic present in most professional sectors as well as day-
to-day basis
15
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
Plastic eraie Plastic products are almost everywhere all
over the world
16
Origins of Plastic
GALALITH (laquo milk stone raquo)
POLYPROPYLENE
POLYSTYRENE POLYPROPYLENE
PVChellip
Casein
Origins of Plastic
385degC
30degC
180degC
C6-C10
Furnace
Distillation Tower
Naphtha +(mixture of hydrocarbons)
DISTILLATION
STEAM CRACKING
Monomerseg propylene
ethylene
POLYCONDENSATIONPOLYMERISATION
(eg polyaddition)
TRANSFORMATION
Crude oil
(eg extrusion techniques)
Polymerseg polypropylene
polyethylene
99
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
They present numerous advantages though with
major disadvantage which is very slow degradation and
leaching
Since 1960rsquos constant growth in the global production has been observed leading to ldquoplastic-dependent societiesrdquo
Mainly issued from petrochemical industry (99)
Plastic materials can mainly get harder
(thermosetting plastics) or pasty
(thermoplastics) when heated
19
Marine pollution
ldquoAny persistent manufactured or processed solid material (deliberately) directly or indirectly discarded disposed of or
abandoned in the marine and coastal environment [hellip] (adapted from UNEP 2009)
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
BUThellip
28
Marine pollution The Mediterranean Sea has been highlighted as
one of the most polluted seas in the world mainly due to significant loss of plastic materials (Deudero et
Alomar 2015)
Eriksen et al 2014Lebreton et al 2012Coacutezar et al 2015Suaria et al 2016
Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD)
Good Environmental Status (GES)
laquo Properties and quantities of marine litter do not cause harm to the
coastal and marine environment raquo
(European Parliament 2008)
Microplastics (MPs)
= Any plastic materials which
measure less than 5 mm in diameter
Primary Microplastics
Secondary Microplastics
= Basic form to create any
plastic products
= Slowly degraded by the
environment
Microplastics (MPs)
Arthur et al 2009Cole et al 2011Corcoran et al 2009Fendall et Sewell 2009Galgani et al 2013Hartl et al 2015Van Cauwenberghe et al 2015Wright et al 2013
LMPs = 1-5 mm SMPs = 1μm (20μm)-
1mm
31
Physical
Chemical
Biological
Wave actionTemperature
UVs
OxidationHydrolysis
Micro-organisms
Microplastics (MPs)
Degradation processes
32
Microplastics (MPs)
General processes
PE PP
PS
PVC PET Cave
~ 20
Floating
Biofouling
Defouling
Bioaccumulating
Resuspending (eg faeces currents)
Sea surface
Water column
Seabed
~ 80
Accumulating
Biota
Natural processes
DEGRADATION OF PLASTIC TRANSPORTATION OF PLASTIC
Fragmentating
Sea surface
Sand Sea floor
Water column
Marine life
EVERYWHERE
Microplastics (MPs)
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
Most Microplastics come from slow degradation processes and they are pervasive
Marine pollution is a major environmental issue worldwide
There is no clear definition for Microplastics but most
studies refers to particles lt 5 mm in diameter
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
36
The Maltese Islands
37
The Maltese Islands
+ Within the heart of the Mediterranean Sea
+ Valuing and unique landscapes habitats and wildlife
- The 1st highest population density in Europe (2016)
- Surrounded by the most polluted sea
38
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
Għadira Bay
St Georgersquos Bay
Pretty Bay
39
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
GPS Coordinates (WGS84) 35deg56rsquo0193rsquorsquo N 14deg20rsquo4006rsquorsquo E
Marine Protected Area (MPA)
40
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
41
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għadira Bay
42
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
St Georgersquos Bay
43
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Pretty Bay
44
Beach profile
Sea conditions
Biology
Topography
Sedimentology
Meteorological
conditions
Demography amp Socio-economy
45
z
Beach profileTOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
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bull Ms Lisa Steiner
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bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
8
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
= Invention of parkesine plastic based on cellulose
A Parkes
9
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
1
= Invention of celluloid
to substitute
ivory billiard balls
JW Hyatt
10
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
1
= Invention of bakelite first plastic
totally man-made
LH Baekela
nd
11
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
1= Innovation
for manufacturing process of
PVC
F Klatte
12
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
1= Invention
of 66 Polyamid (nylon)
WH Carother
s
13
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
Creation of new plastic materials
eg PS nylon LDPE PU Teflon PET
14
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
Constant increase of plastic production amp
consumptionie Plastic present in most professional sectors as well as day-
to-day basis
15
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
Plastic eraie Plastic products are almost everywhere all
over the world
16
Origins of Plastic
GALALITH (laquo milk stone raquo)
POLYPROPYLENE
POLYSTYRENE POLYPROPYLENE
PVChellip
Casein
Origins of Plastic
385degC
30degC
180degC
C6-C10
Furnace
Distillation Tower
Naphtha +(mixture of hydrocarbons)
DISTILLATION
STEAM CRACKING
Monomerseg propylene
ethylene
POLYCONDENSATIONPOLYMERISATION
(eg polyaddition)
TRANSFORMATION
Crude oil
(eg extrusion techniques)
Polymerseg polypropylene
polyethylene
99
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
They present numerous advantages though with
major disadvantage which is very slow degradation and
leaching
Since 1960rsquos constant growth in the global production has been observed leading to ldquoplastic-dependent societiesrdquo
Mainly issued from petrochemical industry (99)
Plastic materials can mainly get harder
(thermosetting plastics) or pasty
(thermoplastics) when heated
19
Marine pollution
ldquoAny persistent manufactured or processed solid material (deliberately) directly or indirectly discarded disposed of or
abandoned in the marine and coastal environment [hellip] (adapted from UNEP 2009)
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
BUThellip
28
Marine pollution The Mediterranean Sea has been highlighted as
one of the most polluted seas in the world mainly due to significant loss of plastic materials (Deudero et
Alomar 2015)
Eriksen et al 2014Lebreton et al 2012Coacutezar et al 2015Suaria et al 2016
Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD)
Good Environmental Status (GES)
laquo Properties and quantities of marine litter do not cause harm to the
coastal and marine environment raquo
(European Parliament 2008)
Microplastics (MPs)
= Any plastic materials which
measure less than 5 mm in diameter
Primary Microplastics
Secondary Microplastics
= Basic form to create any
plastic products
= Slowly degraded by the
environment
Microplastics (MPs)
Arthur et al 2009Cole et al 2011Corcoran et al 2009Fendall et Sewell 2009Galgani et al 2013Hartl et al 2015Van Cauwenberghe et al 2015Wright et al 2013
LMPs = 1-5 mm SMPs = 1μm (20μm)-
1mm
31
Physical
Chemical
Biological
Wave actionTemperature
UVs
OxidationHydrolysis
Micro-organisms
Microplastics (MPs)
Degradation processes
32
Microplastics (MPs)
General processes
PE PP
PS
PVC PET Cave
~ 20
Floating
Biofouling
Defouling
Bioaccumulating
Resuspending (eg faeces currents)
Sea surface
Water column
Seabed
~ 80
Accumulating
Biota
Natural processes
DEGRADATION OF PLASTIC TRANSPORTATION OF PLASTIC
Fragmentating
Sea surface
Sand Sea floor
Water column
Marine life
EVERYWHERE
Microplastics (MPs)
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
Most Microplastics come from slow degradation processes and they are pervasive
Marine pollution is a major environmental issue worldwide
There is no clear definition for Microplastics but most
studies refers to particles lt 5 mm in diameter
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
36
The Maltese Islands
37
The Maltese Islands
+ Within the heart of the Mediterranean Sea
+ Valuing and unique landscapes habitats and wildlife
- The 1st highest population density in Europe (2016)
- Surrounded by the most polluted sea
38
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
Għadira Bay
St Georgersquos Bay
Pretty Bay
39
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
GPS Coordinates (WGS84) 35deg56rsquo0193rsquorsquo N 14deg20rsquo4006rsquorsquo E
Marine Protected Area (MPA)
40
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
41
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għadira Bay
42
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
St Georgersquos Bay
43
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Pretty Bay
44
Beach profile
Sea conditions
Biology
Topography
Sedimentology
Meteorological
conditions
Demography amp Socio-economy
45
z
Beach profileTOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
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bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
9
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
1
= Invention of celluloid
to substitute
ivory billiard balls
JW Hyatt
10
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
1
= Invention of bakelite first plastic
totally man-made
LH Baekela
nd
11
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
1= Innovation
for manufacturing process of
PVC
F Klatte
12
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
1= Invention
of 66 Polyamid (nylon)
WH Carother
s
13
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
Creation of new plastic materials
eg PS nylon LDPE PU Teflon PET
14
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
Constant increase of plastic production amp
consumptionie Plastic present in most professional sectors as well as day-
to-day basis
15
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
Plastic eraie Plastic products are almost everywhere all
over the world
16
Origins of Plastic
GALALITH (laquo milk stone raquo)
POLYPROPYLENE
POLYSTYRENE POLYPROPYLENE
PVChellip
Casein
Origins of Plastic
385degC
30degC
180degC
C6-C10
Furnace
Distillation Tower
Naphtha +(mixture of hydrocarbons)
DISTILLATION
STEAM CRACKING
Monomerseg propylene
ethylene
POLYCONDENSATIONPOLYMERISATION
(eg polyaddition)
TRANSFORMATION
Crude oil
(eg extrusion techniques)
Polymerseg polypropylene
polyethylene
99
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
They present numerous advantages though with
major disadvantage which is very slow degradation and
leaching
Since 1960rsquos constant growth in the global production has been observed leading to ldquoplastic-dependent societiesrdquo
Mainly issued from petrochemical industry (99)
Plastic materials can mainly get harder
(thermosetting plastics) or pasty
(thermoplastics) when heated
19
Marine pollution
ldquoAny persistent manufactured or processed solid material (deliberately) directly or indirectly discarded disposed of or
abandoned in the marine and coastal environment [hellip] (adapted from UNEP 2009)
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
BUThellip
28
Marine pollution The Mediterranean Sea has been highlighted as
one of the most polluted seas in the world mainly due to significant loss of plastic materials (Deudero et
Alomar 2015)
Eriksen et al 2014Lebreton et al 2012Coacutezar et al 2015Suaria et al 2016
Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD)
Good Environmental Status (GES)
laquo Properties and quantities of marine litter do not cause harm to the
coastal and marine environment raquo
(European Parliament 2008)
Microplastics (MPs)
= Any plastic materials which
measure less than 5 mm in diameter
Primary Microplastics
Secondary Microplastics
= Basic form to create any
plastic products
= Slowly degraded by the
environment
Microplastics (MPs)
Arthur et al 2009Cole et al 2011Corcoran et al 2009Fendall et Sewell 2009Galgani et al 2013Hartl et al 2015Van Cauwenberghe et al 2015Wright et al 2013
LMPs = 1-5 mm SMPs = 1μm (20μm)-
1mm
31
Physical
Chemical
Biological
Wave actionTemperature
UVs
OxidationHydrolysis
Micro-organisms
Microplastics (MPs)
Degradation processes
32
Microplastics (MPs)
General processes
PE PP
PS
PVC PET Cave
~ 20
Floating
Biofouling
Defouling
Bioaccumulating
Resuspending (eg faeces currents)
Sea surface
Water column
Seabed
~ 80
Accumulating
Biota
Natural processes
DEGRADATION OF PLASTIC TRANSPORTATION OF PLASTIC
Fragmentating
Sea surface
Sand Sea floor
Water column
Marine life
EVERYWHERE
Microplastics (MPs)
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
Most Microplastics come from slow degradation processes and they are pervasive
Marine pollution is a major environmental issue worldwide
There is no clear definition for Microplastics but most
studies refers to particles lt 5 mm in diameter
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
36
The Maltese Islands
37
The Maltese Islands
+ Within the heart of the Mediterranean Sea
+ Valuing and unique landscapes habitats and wildlife
- The 1st highest population density in Europe (2016)
- Surrounded by the most polluted sea
38
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
Għadira Bay
St Georgersquos Bay
Pretty Bay
39
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
GPS Coordinates (WGS84) 35deg56rsquo0193rsquorsquo N 14deg20rsquo4006rsquorsquo E
Marine Protected Area (MPA)
40
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
41
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għadira Bay
42
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
St Georgersquos Bay
43
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Pretty Bay
44
Beach profile
Sea conditions
Biology
Topography
Sedimentology
Meteorological
conditions
Demography amp Socio-economy
45
z
Beach profileTOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
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bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
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bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
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bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
10
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
1
= Invention of bakelite first plastic
totally man-made
LH Baekela
nd
11
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
1= Innovation
for manufacturing process of
PVC
F Klatte
12
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
1= Invention
of 66 Polyamid (nylon)
WH Carother
s
13
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
Creation of new plastic materials
eg PS nylon LDPE PU Teflon PET
14
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
Constant increase of plastic production amp
consumptionie Plastic present in most professional sectors as well as day-
to-day basis
15
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
Plastic eraie Plastic products are almost everywhere all
over the world
16
Origins of Plastic
GALALITH (laquo milk stone raquo)
POLYPROPYLENE
POLYSTYRENE POLYPROPYLENE
PVChellip
Casein
Origins of Plastic
385degC
30degC
180degC
C6-C10
Furnace
Distillation Tower
Naphtha +(mixture of hydrocarbons)
DISTILLATION
STEAM CRACKING
Monomerseg propylene
ethylene
POLYCONDENSATIONPOLYMERISATION
(eg polyaddition)
TRANSFORMATION
Crude oil
(eg extrusion techniques)
Polymerseg polypropylene
polyethylene
99
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
They present numerous advantages though with
major disadvantage which is very slow degradation and
leaching
Since 1960rsquos constant growth in the global production has been observed leading to ldquoplastic-dependent societiesrdquo
Mainly issued from petrochemical industry (99)
Plastic materials can mainly get harder
(thermosetting plastics) or pasty
(thermoplastics) when heated
19
Marine pollution
ldquoAny persistent manufactured or processed solid material (deliberately) directly or indirectly discarded disposed of or
abandoned in the marine and coastal environment [hellip] (adapted from UNEP 2009)
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
BUThellip
28
Marine pollution The Mediterranean Sea has been highlighted as
one of the most polluted seas in the world mainly due to significant loss of plastic materials (Deudero et
Alomar 2015)
Eriksen et al 2014Lebreton et al 2012Coacutezar et al 2015Suaria et al 2016
Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD)
Good Environmental Status (GES)
laquo Properties and quantities of marine litter do not cause harm to the
coastal and marine environment raquo
(European Parliament 2008)
Microplastics (MPs)
= Any plastic materials which
measure less than 5 mm in diameter
Primary Microplastics
Secondary Microplastics
= Basic form to create any
plastic products
= Slowly degraded by the
environment
Microplastics (MPs)
Arthur et al 2009Cole et al 2011Corcoran et al 2009Fendall et Sewell 2009Galgani et al 2013Hartl et al 2015Van Cauwenberghe et al 2015Wright et al 2013
LMPs = 1-5 mm SMPs = 1μm (20μm)-
1mm
31
Physical
Chemical
Biological
Wave actionTemperature
UVs
OxidationHydrolysis
Micro-organisms
Microplastics (MPs)
Degradation processes
32
Microplastics (MPs)
General processes
PE PP
PS
PVC PET Cave
~ 20
Floating
Biofouling
Defouling
Bioaccumulating
Resuspending (eg faeces currents)
Sea surface
Water column
Seabed
~ 80
Accumulating
Biota
Natural processes
DEGRADATION OF PLASTIC TRANSPORTATION OF PLASTIC
Fragmentating
Sea surface
Sand Sea floor
Water column
Marine life
EVERYWHERE
Microplastics (MPs)
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
Most Microplastics come from slow degradation processes and they are pervasive
Marine pollution is a major environmental issue worldwide
There is no clear definition for Microplastics but most
studies refers to particles lt 5 mm in diameter
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
36
The Maltese Islands
37
The Maltese Islands
+ Within the heart of the Mediterranean Sea
+ Valuing and unique landscapes habitats and wildlife
- The 1st highest population density in Europe (2016)
- Surrounded by the most polluted sea
38
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
Għadira Bay
St Georgersquos Bay
Pretty Bay
39
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
GPS Coordinates (WGS84) 35deg56rsquo0193rsquorsquo N 14deg20rsquo4006rsquorsquo E
Marine Protected Area (MPA)
40
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
41
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għadira Bay
42
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
St Georgersquos Bay
43
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Pretty Bay
44
Beach profile
Sea conditions
Biology
Topography
Sedimentology
Meteorological
conditions
Demography amp Socio-economy
45
z
Beach profileTOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
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bull Wild Wonders of Europe
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bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
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bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
11
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
1= Innovation
for manufacturing process of
PVC
F Klatte
12
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
1= Invention
of 66 Polyamid (nylon)
WH Carother
s
13
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
Creation of new plastic materials
eg PS nylon LDPE PU Teflon PET
14
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
Constant increase of plastic production amp
consumptionie Plastic present in most professional sectors as well as day-
to-day basis
15
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
Plastic eraie Plastic products are almost everywhere all
over the world
16
Origins of Plastic
GALALITH (laquo milk stone raquo)
POLYPROPYLENE
POLYSTYRENE POLYPROPYLENE
PVChellip
Casein
Origins of Plastic
385degC
30degC
180degC
C6-C10
Furnace
Distillation Tower
Naphtha +(mixture of hydrocarbons)
DISTILLATION
STEAM CRACKING
Monomerseg propylene
ethylene
POLYCONDENSATIONPOLYMERISATION
(eg polyaddition)
TRANSFORMATION
Crude oil
(eg extrusion techniques)
Polymerseg polypropylene
polyethylene
99
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
They present numerous advantages though with
major disadvantage which is very slow degradation and
leaching
Since 1960rsquos constant growth in the global production has been observed leading to ldquoplastic-dependent societiesrdquo
Mainly issued from petrochemical industry (99)
Plastic materials can mainly get harder
(thermosetting plastics) or pasty
(thermoplastics) when heated
19
Marine pollution
ldquoAny persistent manufactured or processed solid material (deliberately) directly or indirectly discarded disposed of or
abandoned in the marine and coastal environment [hellip] (adapted from UNEP 2009)
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
BUThellip
28
Marine pollution The Mediterranean Sea has been highlighted as
one of the most polluted seas in the world mainly due to significant loss of plastic materials (Deudero et
Alomar 2015)
Eriksen et al 2014Lebreton et al 2012Coacutezar et al 2015Suaria et al 2016
Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD)
Good Environmental Status (GES)
laquo Properties and quantities of marine litter do not cause harm to the
coastal and marine environment raquo
(European Parliament 2008)
Microplastics (MPs)
= Any plastic materials which
measure less than 5 mm in diameter
Primary Microplastics
Secondary Microplastics
= Basic form to create any
plastic products
= Slowly degraded by the
environment
Microplastics (MPs)
Arthur et al 2009Cole et al 2011Corcoran et al 2009Fendall et Sewell 2009Galgani et al 2013Hartl et al 2015Van Cauwenberghe et al 2015Wright et al 2013
LMPs = 1-5 mm SMPs = 1μm (20μm)-
1mm
31
Physical
Chemical
Biological
Wave actionTemperature
UVs
OxidationHydrolysis
Micro-organisms
Microplastics (MPs)
Degradation processes
32
Microplastics (MPs)
General processes
PE PP
PS
PVC PET Cave
~ 20
Floating
Biofouling
Defouling
Bioaccumulating
Resuspending (eg faeces currents)
Sea surface
Water column
Seabed
~ 80
Accumulating
Biota
Natural processes
DEGRADATION OF PLASTIC TRANSPORTATION OF PLASTIC
Fragmentating
Sea surface
Sand Sea floor
Water column
Marine life
EVERYWHERE
Microplastics (MPs)
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
Most Microplastics come from slow degradation processes and they are pervasive
Marine pollution is a major environmental issue worldwide
There is no clear definition for Microplastics but most
studies refers to particles lt 5 mm in diameter
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
36
The Maltese Islands
37
The Maltese Islands
+ Within the heart of the Mediterranean Sea
+ Valuing and unique landscapes habitats and wildlife
- The 1st highest population density in Europe (2016)
- Surrounded by the most polluted sea
38
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
Għadira Bay
St Georgersquos Bay
Pretty Bay
39
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
GPS Coordinates (WGS84) 35deg56rsquo0193rsquorsquo N 14deg20rsquo4006rsquorsquo E
Marine Protected Area (MPA)
40
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
41
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għadira Bay
42
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
St Georgersquos Bay
43
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Pretty Bay
44
Beach profile
Sea conditions
Biology
Topography
Sedimentology
Meteorological
conditions
Demography amp Socio-economy
45
z
Beach profileTOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
12
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
1= Invention
of 66 Polyamid (nylon)
WH Carother
s
13
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
Creation of new plastic materials
eg PS nylon LDPE PU Teflon PET
14
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
Constant increase of plastic production amp
consumptionie Plastic present in most professional sectors as well as day-
to-day basis
15
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
Plastic eraie Plastic products are almost everywhere all
over the world
16
Origins of Plastic
GALALITH (laquo milk stone raquo)
POLYPROPYLENE
POLYSTYRENE POLYPROPYLENE
PVChellip
Casein
Origins of Plastic
385degC
30degC
180degC
C6-C10
Furnace
Distillation Tower
Naphtha +(mixture of hydrocarbons)
DISTILLATION
STEAM CRACKING
Monomerseg propylene
ethylene
POLYCONDENSATIONPOLYMERISATION
(eg polyaddition)
TRANSFORMATION
Crude oil
(eg extrusion techniques)
Polymerseg polypropylene
polyethylene
99
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
They present numerous advantages though with
major disadvantage which is very slow degradation and
leaching
Since 1960rsquos constant growth in the global production has been observed leading to ldquoplastic-dependent societiesrdquo
Mainly issued from petrochemical industry (99)
Plastic materials can mainly get harder
(thermosetting plastics) or pasty
(thermoplastics) when heated
19
Marine pollution
ldquoAny persistent manufactured or processed solid material (deliberately) directly or indirectly discarded disposed of or
abandoned in the marine and coastal environment [hellip] (adapted from UNEP 2009)
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
BUThellip
28
Marine pollution The Mediterranean Sea has been highlighted as
one of the most polluted seas in the world mainly due to significant loss of plastic materials (Deudero et
Alomar 2015)
Eriksen et al 2014Lebreton et al 2012Coacutezar et al 2015Suaria et al 2016
Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD)
Good Environmental Status (GES)
laquo Properties and quantities of marine litter do not cause harm to the
coastal and marine environment raquo
(European Parliament 2008)
Microplastics (MPs)
= Any plastic materials which
measure less than 5 mm in diameter
Primary Microplastics
Secondary Microplastics
= Basic form to create any
plastic products
= Slowly degraded by the
environment
Microplastics (MPs)
Arthur et al 2009Cole et al 2011Corcoran et al 2009Fendall et Sewell 2009Galgani et al 2013Hartl et al 2015Van Cauwenberghe et al 2015Wright et al 2013
LMPs = 1-5 mm SMPs = 1μm (20μm)-
1mm
31
Physical
Chemical
Biological
Wave actionTemperature
UVs
OxidationHydrolysis
Micro-organisms
Microplastics (MPs)
Degradation processes
32
Microplastics (MPs)
General processes
PE PP
PS
PVC PET Cave
~ 20
Floating
Biofouling
Defouling
Bioaccumulating
Resuspending (eg faeces currents)
Sea surface
Water column
Seabed
~ 80
Accumulating
Biota
Natural processes
DEGRADATION OF PLASTIC TRANSPORTATION OF PLASTIC
Fragmentating
Sea surface
Sand Sea floor
Water column
Marine life
EVERYWHERE
Microplastics (MPs)
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
Most Microplastics come from slow degradation processes and they are pervasive
Marine pollution is a major environmental issue worldwide
There is no clear definition for Microplastics but most
studies refers to particles lt 5 mm in diameter
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
36
The Maltese Islands
37
The Maltese Islands
+ Within the heart of the Mediterranean Sea
+ Valuing and unique landscapes habitats and wildlife
- The 1st highest population density in Europe (2016)
- Surrounded by the most polluted sea
38
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
Għadira Bay
St Georgersquos Bay
Pretty Bay
39
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
GPS Coordinates (WGS84) 35deg56rsquo0193rsquorsquo N 14deg20rsquo4006rsquorsquo E
Marine Protected Area (MPA)
40
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
41
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għadira Bay
42
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
St Georgersquos Bay
43
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Pretty Bay
44
Beach profile
Sea conditions
Biology
Topography
Sedimentology
Meteorological
conditions
Demography amp Socio-economy
45
z
Beach profileTOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
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bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
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bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
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bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
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bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
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bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
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bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
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bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
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bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
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bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
13
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
Creation of new plastic materials
eg PS nylon LDPE PU Teflon PET
14
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
Constant increase of plastic production amp
consumptionie Plastic present in most professional sectors as well as day-
to-day basis
15
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
Plastic eraie Plastic products are almost everywhere all
over the world
16
Origins of Plastic
GALALITH (laquo milk stone raquo)
POLYPROPYLENE
POLYSTYRENE POLYPROPYLENE
PVChellip
Casein
Origins of Plastic
385degC
30degC
180degC
C6-C10
Furnace
Distillation Tower
Naphtha +(mixture of hydrocarbons)
DISTILLATION
STEAM CRACKING
Monomerseg propylene
ethylene
POLYCONDENSATIONPOLYMERISATION
(eg polyaddition)
TRANSFORMATION
Crude oil
(eg extrusion techniques)
Polymerseg polypropylene
polyethylene
99
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
They present numerous advantages though with
major disadvantage which is very slow degradation and
leaching
Since 1960rsquos constant growth in the global production has been observed leading to ldquoplastic-dependent societiesrdquo
Mainly issued from petrochemical industry (99)
Plastic materials can mainly get harder
(thermosetting plastics) or pasty
(thermoplastics) when heated
19
Marine pollution
ldquoAny persistent manufactured or processed solid material (deliberately) directly or indirectly discarded disposed of or
abandoned in the marine and coastal environment [hellip] (adapted from UNEP 2009)
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
BUThellip
28
Marine pollution The Mediterranean Sea has been highlighted as
one of the most polluted seas in the world mainly due to significant loss of plastic materials (Deudero et
Alomar 2015)
Eriksen et al 2014Lebreton et al 2012Coacutezar et al 2015Suaria et al 2016
Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD)
Good Environmental Status (GES)
laquo Properties and quantities of marine litter do not cause harm to the
coastal and marine environment raquo
(European Parliament 2008)
Microplastics (MPs)
= Any plastic materials which
measure less than 5 mm in diameter
Primary Microplastics
Secondary Microplastics
= Basic form to create any
plastic products
= Slowly degraded by the
environment
Microplastics (MPs)
Arthur et al 2009Cole et al 2011Corcoran et al 2009Fendall et Sewell 2009Galgani et al 2013Hartl et al 2015Van Cauwenberghe et al 2015Wright et al 2013
LMPs = 1-5 mm SMPs = 1μm (20μm)-
1mm
31
Physical
Chemical
Biological
Wave actionTemperature
UVs
OxidationHydrolysis
Micro-organisms
Microplastics (MPs)
Degradation processes
32
Microplastics (MPs)
General processes
PE PP
PS
PVC PET Cave
~ 20
Floating
Biofouling
Defouling
Bioaccumulating
Resuspending (eg faeces currents)
Sea surface
Water column
Seabed
~ 80
Accumulating
Biota
Natural processes
DEGRADATION OF PLASTIC TRANSPORTATION OF PLASTIC
Fragmentating
Sea surface
Sand Sea floor
Water column
Marine life
EVERYWHERE
Microplastics (MPs)
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
Most Microplastics come from slow degradation processes and they are pervasive
Marine pollution is a major environmental issue worldwide
There is no clear definition for Microplastics but most
studies refers to particles lt 5 mm in diameter
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
36
The Maltese Islands
37
The Maltese Islands
+ Within the heart of the Mediterranean Sea
+ Valuing and unique landscapes habitats and wildlife
- The 1st highest population density in Europe (2016)
- Surrounded by the most polluted sea
38
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
Għadira Bay
St Georgersquos Bay
Pretty Bay
39
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
GPS Coordinates (WGS84) 35deg56rsquo0193rsquorsquo N 14deg20rsquo4006rsquorsquo E
Marine Protected Area (MPA)
40
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
41
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għadira Bay
42
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
St Georgersquos Bay
43
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Pretty Bay
44
Beach profile
Sea conditions
Biology
Topography
Sedimentology
Meteorological
conditions
Demography amp Socio-economy
45
z
Beach profileTOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
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14
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
Constant increase of plastic production amp
consumptionie Plastic present in most professional sectors as well as day-
to-day basis
15
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
Plastic eraie Plastic products are almost everywhere all
over the world
16
Origins of Plastic
GALALITH (laquo milk stone raquo)
POLYPROPYLENE
POLYSTYRENE POLYPROPYLENE
PVChellip
Casein
Origins of Plastic
385degC
30degC
180degC
C6-C10
Furnace
Distillation Tower
Naphtha +(mixture of hydrocarbons)
DISTILLATION
STEAM CRACKING
Monomerseg propylene
ethylene
POLYCONDENSATIONPOLYMERISATION
(eg polyaddition)
TRANSFORMATION
Crude oil
(eg extrusion techniques)
Polymerseg polypropylene
polyethylene
99
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
They present numerous advantages though with
major disadvantage which is very slow degradation and
leaching
Since 1960rsquos constant growth in the global production has been observed leading to ldquoplastic-dependent societiesrdquo
Mainly issued from petrochemical industry (99)
Plastic materials can mainly get harder
(thermosetting plastics) or pasty
(thermoplastics) when heated
19
Marine pollution
ldquoAny persistent manufactured or processed solid material (deliberately) directly or indirectly discarded disposed of or
abandoned in the marine and coastal environment [hellip] (adapted from UNEP 2009)
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
BUThellip
28
Marine pollution The Mediterranean Sea has been highlighted as
one of the most polluted seas in the world mainly due to significant loss of plastic materials (Deudero et
Alomar 2015)
Eriksen et al 2014Lebreton et al 2012Coacutezar et al 2015Suaria et al 2016
Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD)
Good Environmental Status (GES)
laquo Properties and quantities of marine litter do not cause harm to the
coastal and marine environment raquo
(European Parliament 2008)
Microplastics (MPs)
= Any plastic materials which
measure less than 5 mm in diameter
Primary Microplastics
Secondary Microplastics
= Basic form to create any
plastic products
= Slowly degraded by the
environment
Microplastics (MPs)
Arthur et al 2009Cole et al 2011Corcoran et al 2009Fendall et Sewell 2009Galgani et al 2013Hartl et al 2015Van Cauwenberghe et al 2015Wright et al 2013
LMPs = 1-5 mm SMPs = 1μm (20μm)-
1mm
31
Physical
Chemical
Biological
Wave actionTemperature
UVs
OxidationHydrolysis
Micro-organisms
Microplastics (MPs)
Degradation processes
32
Microplastics (MPs)
General processes
PE PP
PS
PVC PET Cave
~ 20
Floating
Biofouling
Defouling
Bioaccumulating
Resuspending (eg faeces currents)
Sea surface
Water column
Seabed
~ 80
Accumulating
Biota
Natural processes
DEGRADATION OF PLASTIC TRANSPORTATION OF PLASTIC
Fragmentating
Sea surface
Sand Sea floor
Water column
Marine life
EVERYWHERE
Microplastics (MPs)
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
Most Microplastics come from slow degradation processes and they are pervasive
Marine pollution is a major environmental issue worldwide
There is no clear definition for Microplastics but most
studies refers to particles lt 5 mm in diameter
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
36
The Maltese Islands
37
The Maltese Islands
+ Within the heart of the Mediterranean Sea
+ Valuing and unique landscapes habitats and wildlife
- The 1st highest population density in Europe (2016)
- Surrounded by the most polluted sea
38
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
Għadira Bay
St Georgersquos Bay
Pretty Bay
39
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
GPS Coordinates (WGS84) 35deg56rsquo0193rsquorsquo N 14deg20rsquo4006rsquorsquo E
Marine Protected Area (MPA)
40
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
41
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għadira Bay
42
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
St Georgersquos Bay
43
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Pretty Bay
44
Beach profile
Sea conditions
Biology
Topography
Sedimentology
Meteorological
conditions
Demography amp Socio-economy
45
z
Beach profileTOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
15
Chronicle of Plastic
1736 1835 1860 1869 1898 1912 1922 1927 1935 1938 1944 1953 1965 1980
1833 1839 1862 1870 1909 1913 1924 1933 1937 1940 1946 1954 1973 2001
Plastic eraie Plastic products are almost everywhere all
over the world
16
Origins of Plastic
GALALITH (laquo milk stone raquo)
POLYPROPYLENE
POLYSTYRENE POLYPROPYLENE
PVChellip
Casein
Origins of Plastic
385degC
30degC
180degC
C6-C10
Furnace
Distillation Tower
Naphtha +(mixture of hydrocarbons)
DISTILLATION
STEAM CRACKING
Monomerseg propylene
ethylene
POLYCONDENSATIONPOLYMERISATION
(eg polyaddition)
TRANSFORMATION
Crude oil
(eg extrusion techniques)
Polymerseg polypropylene
polyethylene
99
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
They present numerous advantages though with
major disadvantage which is very slow degradation and
leaching
Since 1960rsquos constant growth in the global production has been observed leading to ldquoplastic-dependent societiesrdquo
Mainly issued from petrochemical industry (99)
Plastic materials can mainly get harder
(thermosetting plastics) or pasty
(thermoplastics) when heated
19
Marine pollution
ldquoAny persistent manufactured or processed solid material (deliberately) directly or indirectly discarded disposed of or
abandoned in the marine and coastal environment [hellip] (adapted from UNEP 2009)
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
BUThellip
28
Marine pollution The Mediterranean Sea has been highlighted as
one of the most polluted seas in the world mainly due to significant loss of plastic materials (Deudero et
Alomar 2015)
Eriksen et al 2014Lebreton et al 2012Coacutezar et al 2015Suaria et al 2016
Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD)
Good Environmental Status (GES)
laquo Properties and quantities of marine litter do not cause harm to the
coastal and marine environment raquo
(European Parliament 2008)
Microplastics (MPs)
= Any plastic materials which
measure less than 5 mm in diameter
Primary Microplastics
Secondary Microplastics
= Basic form to create any
plastic products
= Slowly degraded by the
environment
Microplastics (MPs)
Arthur et al 2009Cole et al 2011Corcoran et al 2009Fendall et Sewell 2009Galgani et al 2013Hartl et al 2015Van Cauwenberghe et al 2015Wright et al 2013
LMPs = 1-5 mm SMPs = 1μm (20μm)-
1mm
31
Physical
Chemical
Biological
Wave actionTemperature
UVs
OxidationHydrolysis
Micro-organisms
Microplastics (MPs)
Degradation processes
32
Microplastics (MPs)
General processes
PE PP
PS
PVC PET Cave
~ 20
Floating
Biofouling
Defouling
Bioaccumulating
Resuspending (eg faeces currents)
Sea surface
Water column
Seabed
~ 80
Accumulating
Biota
Natural processes
DEGRADATION OF PLASTIC TRANSPORTATION OF PLASTIC
Fragmentating
Sea surface
Sand Sea floor
Water column
Marine life
EVERYWHERE
Microplastics (MPs)
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
Most Microplastics come from slow degradation processes and they are pervasive
Marine pollution is a major environmental issue worldwide
There is no clear definition for Microplastics but most
studies refers to particles lt 5 mm in diameter
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
36
The Maltese Islands
37
The Maltese Islands
+ Within the heart of the Mediterranean Sea
+ Valuing and unique landscapes habitats and wildlife
- The 1st highest population density in Europe (2016)
- Surrounded by the most polluted sea
38
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
Għadira Bay
St Georgersquos Bay
Pretty Bay
39
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
GPS Coordinates (WGS84) 35deg56rsquo0193rsquorsquo N 14deg20rsquo4006rsquorsquo E
Marine Protected Area (MPA)
40
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
41
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għadira Bay
42
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
St Georgersquos Bay
43
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Pretty Bay
44
Beach profile
Sea conditions
Biology
Topography
Sedimentology
Meteorological
conditions
Demography amp Socio-economy
45
z
Beach profileTOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
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bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
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WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
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bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
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bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
16
Origins of Plastic
GALALITH (laquo milk stone raquo)
POLYPROPYLENE
POLYSTYRENE POLYPROPYLENE
PVChellip
Casein
Origins of Plastic
385degC
30degC
180degC
C6-C10
Furnace
Distillation Tower
Naphtha +(mixture of hydrocarbons)
DISTILLATION
STEAM CRACKING
Monomerseg propylene
ethylene
POLYCONDENSATIONPOLYMERISATION
(eg polyaddition)
TRANSFORMATION
Crude oil
(eg extrusion techniques)
Polymerseg polypropylene
polyethylene
99
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
They present numerous advantages though with
major disadvantage which is very slow degradation and
leaching
Since 1960rsquos constant growth in the global production has been observed leading to ldquoplastic-dependent societiesrdquo
Mainly issued from petrochemical industry (99)
Plastic materials can mainly get harder
(thermosetting plastics) or pasty
(thermoplastics) when heated
19
Marine pollution
ldquoAny persistent manufactured or processed solid material (deliberately) directly or indirectly discarded disposed of or
abandoned in the marine and coastal environment [hellip] (adapted from UNEP 2009)
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
BUThellip
28
Marine pollution The Mediterranean Sea has been highlighted as
one of the most polluted seas in the world mainly due to significant loss of plastic materials (Deudero et
Alomar 2015)
Eriksen et al 2014Lebreton et al 2012Coacutezar et al 2015Suaria et al 2016
Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD)
Good Environmental Status (GES)
laquo Properties and quantities of marine litter do not cause harm to the
coastal and marine environment raquo
(European Parliament 2008)
Microplastics (MPs)
= Any plastic materials which
measure less than 5 mm in diameter
Primary Microplastics
Secondary Microplastics
= Basic form to create any
plastic products
= Slowly degraded by the
environment
Microplastics (MPs)
Arthur et al 2009Cole et al 2011Corcoran et al 2009Fendall et Sewell 2009Galgani et al 2013Hartl et al 2015Van Cauwenberghe et al 2015Wright et al 2013
LMPs = 1-5 mm SMPs = 1μm (20μm)-
1mm
31
Physical
Chemical
Biological
Wave actionTemperature
UVs
OxidationHydrolysis
Micro-organisms
Microplastics (MPs)
Degradation processes
32
Microplastics (MPs)
General processes
PE PP
PS
PVC PET Cave
~ 20
Floating
Biofouling
Defouling
Bioaccumulating
Resuspending (eg faeces currents)
Sea surface
Water column
Seabed
~ 80
Accumulating
Biota
Natural processes
DEGRADATION OF PLASTIC TRANSPORTATION OF PLASTIC
Fragmentating
Sea surface
Sand Sea floor
Water column
Marine life
EVERYWHERE
Microplastics (MPs)
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
Most Microplastics come from slow degradation processes and they are pervasive
Marine pollution is a major environmental issue worldwide
There is no clear definition for Microplastics but most
studies refers to particles lt 5 mm in diameter
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
36
The Maltese Islands
37
The Maltese Islands
+ Within the heart of the Mediterranean Sea
+ Valuing and unique landscapes habitats and wildlife
- The 1st highest population density in Europe (2016)
- Surrounded by the most polluted sea
38
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
Għadira Bay
St Georgersquos Bay
Pretty Bay
39
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
GPS Coordinates (WGS84) 35deg56rsquo0193rsquorsquo N 14deg20rsquo4006rsquorsquo E
Marine Protected Area (MPA)
40
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
41
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għadira Bay
42
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
St Georgersquos Bay
43
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Pretty Bay
44
Beach profile
Sea conditions
Biology
Topography
Sedimentology
Meteorological
conditions
Demography amp Socio-economy
45
z
Beach profileTOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
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bull Mr John Cancalosi
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
Origins of Plastic
385degC
30degC
180degC
C6-C10
Furnace
Distillation Tower
Naphtha +(mixture of hydrocarbons)
DISTILLATION
STEAM CRACKING
Monomerseg propylene
ethylene
POLYCONDENSATIONPOLYMERISATION
(eg polyaddition)
TRANSFORMATION
Crude oil
(eg extrusion techniques)
Polymerseg polypropylene
polyethylene
99
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
They present numerous advantages though with
major disadvantage which is very slow degradation and
leaching
Since 1960rsquos constant growth in the global production has been observed leading to ldquoplastic-dependent societiesrdquo
Mainly issued from petrochemical industry (99)
Plastic materials can mainly get harder
(thermosetting plastics) or pasty
(thermoplastics) when heated
19
Marine pollution
ldquoAny persistent manufactured or processed solid material (deliberately) directly or indirectly discarded disposed of or
abandoned in the marine and coastal environment [hellip] (adapted from UNEP 2009)
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
BUThellip
28
Marine pollution The Mediterranean Sea has been highlighted as
one of the most polluted seas in the world mainly due to significant loss of plastic materials (Deudero et
Alomar 2015)
Eriksen et al 2014Lebreton et al 2012Coacutezar et al 2015Suaria et al 2016
Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD)
Good Environmental Status (GES)
laquo Properties and quantities of marine litter do not cause harm to the
coastal and marine environment raquo
(European Parliament 2008)
Microplastics (MPs)
= Any plastic materials which
measure less than 5 mm in diameter
Primary Microplastics
Secondary Microplastics
= Basic form to create any
plastic products
= Slowly degraded by the
environment
Microplastics (MPs)
Arthur et al 2009Cole et al 2011Corcoran et al 2009Fendall et Sewell 2009Galgani et al 2013Hartl et al 2015Van Cauwenberghe et al 2015Wright et al 2013
LMPs = 1-5 mm SMPs = 1μm (20μm)-
1mm
31
Physical
Chemical
Biological
Wave actionTemperature
UVs
OxidationHydrolysis
Micro-organisms
Microplastics (MPs)
Degradation processes
32
Microplastics (MPs)
General processes
PE PP
PS
PVC PET Cave
~ 20
Floating
Biofouling
Defouling
Bioaccumulating
Resuspending (eg faeces currents)
Sea surface
Water column
Seabed
~ 80
Accumulating
Biota
Natural processes
DEGRADATION OF PLASTIC TRANSPORTATION OF PLASTIC
Fragmentating
Sea surface
Sand Sea floor
Water column
Marine life
EVERYWHERE
Microplastics (MPs)
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
Most Microplastics come from slow degradation processes and they are pervasive
Marine pollution is a major environmental issue worldwide
There is no clear definition for Microplastics but most
studies refers to particles lt 5 mm in diameter
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
36
The Maltese Islands
37
The Maltese Islands
+ Within the heart of the Mediterranean Sea
+ Valuing and unique landscapes habitats and wildlife
- The 1st highest population density in Europe (2016)
- Surrounded by the most polluted sea
38
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
Għadira Bay
St Georgersquos Bay
Pretty Bay
39
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
GPS Coordinates (WGS84) 35deg56rsquo0193rsquorsquo N 14deg20rsquo4006rsquorsquo E
Marine Protected Area (MPA)
40
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
41
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għadira Bay
42
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
St Georgersquos Bay
43
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Pretty Bay
44
Beach profile
Sea conditions
Biology
Topography
Sedimentology
Meteorological
conditions
Demography amp Socio-economy
45
z
Beach profileTOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
They present numerous advantages though with
major disadvantage which is very slow degradation and
leaching
Since 1960rsquos constant growth in the global production has been observed leading to ldquoplastic-dependent societiesrdquo
Mainly issued from petrochemical industry (99)
Plastic materials can mainly get harder
(thermosetting plastics) or pasty
(thermoplastics) when heated
19
Marine pollution
ldquoAny persistent manufactured or processed solid material (deliberately) directly or indirectly discarded disposed of or
abandoned in the marine and coastal environment [hellip] (adapted from UNEP 2009)
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
BUThellip
28
Marine pollution The Mediterranean Sea has been highlighted as
one of the most polluted seas in the world mainly due to significant loss of plastic materials (Deudero et
Alomar 2015)
Eriksen et al 2014Lebreton et al 2012Coacutezar et al 2015Suaria et al 2016
Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD)
Good Environmental Status (GES)
laquo Properties and quantities of marine litter do not cause harm to the
coastal and marine environment raquo
(European Parliament 2008)
Microplastics (MPs)
= Any plastic materials which
measure less than 5 mm in diameter
Primary Microplastics
Secondary Microplastics
= Basic form to create any
plastic products
= Slowly degraded by the
environment
Microplastics (MPs)
Arthur et al 2009Cole et al 2011Corcoran et al 2009Fendall et Sewell 2009Galgani et al 2013Hartl et al 2015Van Cauwenberghe et al 2015Wright et al 2013
LMPs = 1-5 mm SMPs = 1μm (20μm)-
1mm
31
Physical
Chemical
Biological
Wave actionTemperature
UVs
OxidationHydrolysis
Micro-organisms
Microplastics (MPs)
Degradation processes
32
Microplastics (MPs)
General processes
PE PP
PS
PVC PET Cave
~ 20
Floating
Biofouling
Defouling
Bioaccumulating
Resuspending (eg faeces currents)
Sea surface
Water column
Seabed
~ 80
Accumulating
Biota
Natural processes
DEGRADATION OF PLASTIC TRANSPORTATION OF PLASTIC
Fragmentating
Sea surface
Sand Sea floor
Water column
Marine life
EVERYWHERE
Microplastics (MPs)
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
Most Microplastics come from slow degradation processes and they are pervasive
Marine pollution is a major environmental issue worldwide
There is no clear definition for Microplastics but most
studies refers to particles lt 5 mm in diameter
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
36
The Maltese Islands
37
The Maltese Islands
+ Within the heart of the Mediterranean Sea
+ Valuing and unique landscapes habitats and wildlife
- The 1st highest population density in Europe (2016)
- Surrounded by the most polluted sea
38
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
Għadira Bay
St Georgersquos Bay
Pretty Bay
39
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
GPS Coordinates (WGS84) 35deg56rsquo0193rsquorsquo N 14deg20rsquo4006rsquorsquo E
Marine Protected Area (MPA)
40
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
41
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għadira Bay
42
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
St Georgersquos Bay
43
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Pretty Bay
44
Beach profile
Sea conditions
Biology
Topography
Sedimentology
Meteorological
conditions
Demography amp Socio-economy
45
z
Beach profileTOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
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bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
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bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
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bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
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bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
19
Marine pollution
ldquoAny persistent manufactured or processed solid material (deliberately) directly or indirectly discarded disposed of or
abandoned in the marine and coastal environment [hellip] (adapted from UNEP 2009)
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
BUThellip
28
Marine pollution The Mediterranean Sea has been highlighted as
one of the most polluted seas in the world mainly due to significant loss of plastic materials (Deudero et
Alomar 2015)
Eriksen et al 2014Lebreton et al 2012Coacutezar et al 2015Suaria et al 2016
Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD)
Good Environmental Status (GES)
laquo Properties and quantities of marine litter do not cause harm to the
coastal and marine environment raquo
(European Parliament 2008)
Microplastics (MPs)
= Any plastic materials which
measure less than 5 mm in diameter
Primary Microplastics
Secondary Microplastics
= Basic form to create any
plastic products
= Slowly degraded by the
environment
Microplastics (MPs)
Arthur et al 2009Cole et al 2011Corcoran et al 2009Fendall et Sewell 2009Galgani et al 2013Hartl et al 2015Van Cauwenberghe et al 2015Wright et al 2013
LMPs = 1-5 mm SMPs = 1μm (20μm)-
1mm
31
Physical
Chemical
Biological
Wave actionTemperature
UVs
OxidationHydrolysis
Micro-organisms
Microplastics (MPs)
Degradation processes
32
Microplastics (MPs)
General processes
PE PP
PS
PVC PET Cave
~ 20
Floating
Biofouling
Defouling
Bioaccumulating
Resuspending (eg faeces currents)
Sea surface
Water column
Seabed
~ 80
Accumulating
Biota
Natural processes
DEGRADATION OF PLASTIC TRANSPORTATION OF PLASTIC
Fragmentating
Sea surface
Sand Sea floor
Water column
Marine life
EVERYWHERE
Microplastics (MPs)
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
Most Microplastics come from slow degradation processes and they are pervasive
Marine pollution is a major environmental issue worldwide
There is no clear definition for Microplastics but most
studies refers to particles lt 5 mm in diameter
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
36
The Maltese Islands
37
The Maltese Islands
+ Within the heart of the Mediterranean Sea
+ Valuing and unique landscapes habitats and wildlife
- The 1st highest population density in Europe (2016)
- Surrounded by the most polluted sea
38
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
Għadira Bay
St Georgersquos Bay
Pretty Bay
39
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
GPS Coordinates (WGS84) 35deg56rsquo0193rsquorsquo N 14deg20rsquo4006rsquorsquo E
Marine Protected Area (MPA)
40
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
41
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għadira Bay
42
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
St Georgersquos Bay
43
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Pretty Bay
44
Beach profile
Sea conditions
Biology
Topography
Sedimentology
Meteorological
conditions
Demography amp Socio-economy
45
z
Beach profileTOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
BUThellip
28
Marine pollution The Mediterranean Sea has been highlighted as
one of the most polluted seas in the world mainly due to significant loss of plastic materials (Deudero et
Alomar 2015)
Eriksen et al 2014Lebreton et al 2012Coacutezar et al 2015Suaria et al 2016
Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD)
Good Environmental Status (GES)
laquo Properties and quantities of marine litter do not cause harm to the
coastal and marine environment raquo
(European Parliament 2008)
Microplastics (MPs)
= Any plastic materials which
measure less than 5 mm in diameter
Primary Microplastics
Secondary Microplastics
= Basic form to create any
plastic products
= Slowly degraded by the
environment
Microplastics (MPs)
Arthur et al 2009Cole et al 2011Corcoran et al 2009Fendall et Sewell 2009Galgani et al 2013Hartl et al 2015Van Cauwenberghe et al 2015Wright et al 2013
LMPs = 1-5 mm SMPs = 1μm (20μm)-
1mm
31
Physical
Chemical
Biological
Wave actionTemperature
UVs
OxidationHydrolysis
Micro-organisms
Microplastics (MPs)
Degradation processes
32
Microplastics (MPs)
General processes
PE PP
PS
PVC PET Cave
~ 20
Floating
Biofouling
Defouling
Bioaccumulating
Resuspending (eg faeces currents)
Sea surface
Water column
Seabed
~ 80
Accumulating
Biota
Natural processes
DEGRADATION OF PLASTIC TRANSPORTATION OF PLASTIC
Fragmentating
Sea surface
Sand Sea floor
Water column
Marine life
EVERYWHERE
Microplastics (MPs)
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
Most Microplastics come from slow degradation processes and they are pervasive
Marine pollution is a major environmental issue worldwide
There is no clear definition for Microplastics but most
studies refers to particles lt 5 mm in diameter
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
36
The Maltese Islands
37
The Maltese Islands
+ Within the heart of the Mediterranean Sea
+ Valuing and unique landscapes habitats and wildlife
- The 1st highest population density in Europe (2016)
- Surrounded by the most polluted sea
38
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
Għadira Bay
St Georgersquos Bay
Pretty Bay
39
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
GPS Coordinates (WGS84) 35deg56rsquo0193rsquorsquo N 14deg20rsquo4006rsquorsquo E
Marine Protected Area (MPA)
40
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
41
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għadira Bay
42
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
St Georgersquos Bay
43
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Pretty Bay
44
Beach profile
Sea conditions
Biology
Topography
Sedimentology
Meteorological
conditions
Demography amp Socio-economy
45
z
Beach profileTOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
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bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
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bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
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bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
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bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
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bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
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bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
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bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
BUThellip
28
Marine pollution The Mediterranean Sea has been highlighted as
one of the most polluted seas in the world mainly due to significant loss of plastic materials (Deudero et
Alomar 2015)
Eriksen et al 2014Lebreton et al 2012Coacutezar et al 2015Suaria et al 2016
Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD)
Good Environmental Status (GES)
laquo Properties and quantities of marine litter do not cause harm to the
coastal and marine environment raquo
(European Parliament 2008)
Microplastics (MPs)
= Any plastic materials which
measure less than 5 mm in diameter
Primary Microplastics
Secondary Microplastics
= Basic form to create any
plastic products
= Slowly degraded by the
environment
Microplastics (MPs)
Arthur et al 2009Cole et al 2011Corcoran et al 2009Fendall et Sewell 2009Galgani et al 2013Hartl et al 2015Van Cauwenberghe et al 2015Wright et al 2013
LMPs = 1-5 mm SMPs = 1μm (20μm)-
1mm
31
Physical
Chemical
Biological
Wave actionTemperature
UVs
OxidationHydrolysis
Micro-organisms
Microplastics (MPs)
Degradation processes
32
Microplastics (MPs)
General processes
PE PP
PS
PVC PET Cave
~ 20
Floating
Biofouling
Defouling
Bioaccumulating
Resuspending (eg faeces currents)
Sea surface
Water column
Seabed
~ 80
Accumulating
Biota
Natural processes
DEGRADATION OF PLASTIC TRANSPORTATION OF PLASTIC
Fragmentating
Sea surface
Sand Sea floor
Water column
Marine life
EVERYWHERE
Microplastics (MPs)
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
Most Microplastics come from slow degradation processes and they are pervasive
Marine pollution is a major environmental issue worldwide
There is no clear definition for Microplastics but most
studies refers to particles lt 5 mm in diameter
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
36
The Maltese Islands
37
The Maltese Islands
+ Within the heart of the Mediterranean Sea
+ Valuing and unique landscapes habitats and wildlife
- The 1st highest population density in Europe (2016)
- Surrounded by the most polluted sea
38
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
Għadira Bay
St Georgersquos Bay
Pretty Bay
39
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
GPS Coordinates (WGS84) 35deg56rsquo0193rsquorsquo N 14deg20rsquo4006rsquorsquo E
Marine Protected Area (MPA)
40
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
41
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għadira Bay
42
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
St Georgersquos Bay
43
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Pretty Bay
44
Beach profile
Sea conditions
Biology
Topography
Sedimentology
Meteorological
conditions
Demography amp Socio-economy
45
z
Beach profileTOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
BUThellip
28
Marine pollution The Mediterranean Sea has been highlighted as
one of the most polluted seas in the world mainly due to significant loss of plastic materials (Deudero et
Alomar 2015)
Eriksen et al 2014Lebreton et al 2012Coacutezar et al 2015Suaria et al 2016
Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD)
Good Environmental Status (GES)
laquo Properties and quantities of marine litter do not cause harm to the
coastal and marine environment raquo
(European Parliament 2008)
Microplastics (MPs)
= Any plastic materials which
measure less than 5 mm in diameter
Primary Microplastics
Secondary Microplastics
= Basic form to create any
plastic products
= Slowly degraded by the
environment
Microplastics (MPs)
Arthur et al 2009Cole et al 2011Corcoran et al 2009Fendall et Sewell 2009Galgani et al 2013Hartl et al 2015Van Cauwenberghe et al 2015Wright et al 2013
LMPs = 1-5 mm SMPs = 1μm (20μm)-
1mm
31
Physical
Chemical
Biological
Wave actionTemperature
UVs
OxidationHydrolysis
Micro-organisms
Microplastics (MPs)
Degradation processes
32
Microplastics (MPs)
General processes
PE PP
PS
PVC PET Cave
~ 20
Floating
Biofouling
Defouling
Bioaccumulating
Resuspending (eg faeces currents)
Sea surface
Water column
Seabed
~ 80
Accumulating
Biota
Natural processes
DEGRADATION OF PLASTIC TRANSPORTATION OF PLASTIC
Fragmentating
Sea surface
Sand Sea floor
Water column
Marine life
EVERYWHERE
Microplastics (MPs)
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
Most Microplastics come from slow degradation processes and they are pervasive
Marine pollution is a major environmental issue worldwide
There is no clear definition for Microplastics but most
studies refers to particles lt 5 mm in diameter
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
36
The Maltese Islands
37
The Maltese Islands
+ Within the heart of the Mediterranean Sea
+ Valuing and unique landscapes habitats and wildlife
- The 1st highest population density in Europe (2016)
- Surrounded by the most polluted sea
38
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
Għadira Bay
St Georgersquos Bay
Pretty Bay
39
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
GPS Coordinates (WGS84) 35deg56rsquo0193rsquorsquo N 14deg20rsquo4006rsquorsquo E
Marine Protected Area (MPA)
40
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
41
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għadira Bay
42
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
St Georgersquos Bay
43
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Pretty Bay
44
Beach profile
Sea conditions
Biology
Topography
Sedimentology
Meteorological
conditions
Demography amp Socio-economy
45
z
Beach profileTOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
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bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
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bull Ms Lisa Steiner
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bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
BUThellip
28
Marine pollution The Mediterranean Sea has been highlighted as
one of the most polluted seas in the world mainly due to significant loss of plastic materials (Deudero et
Alomar 2015)
Eriksen et al 2014Lebreton et al 2012Coacutezar et al 2015Suaria et al 2016
Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD)
Good Environmental Status (GES)
laquo Properties and quantities of marine litter do not cause harm to the
coastal and marine environment raquo
(European Parliament 2008)
Microplastics (MPs)
= Any plastic materials which
measure less than 5 mm in diameter
Primary Microplastics
Secondary Microplastics
= Basic form to create any
plastic products
= Slowly degraded by the
environment
Microplastics (MPs)
Arthur et al 2009Cole et al 2011Corcoran et al 2009Fendall et Sewell 2009Galgani et al 2013Hartl et al 2015Van Cauwenberghe et al 2015Wright et al 2013
LMPs = 1-5 mm SMPs = 1μm (20μm)-
1mm
31
Physical
Chemical
Biological
Wave actionTemperature
UVs
OxidationHydrolysis
Micro-organisms
Microplastics (MPs)
Degradation processes
32
Microplastics (MPs)
General processes
PE PP
PS
PVC PET Cave
~ 20
Floating
Biofouling
Defouling
Bioaccumulating
Resuspending (eg faeces currents)
Sea surface
Water column
Seabed
~ 80
Accumulating
Biota
Natural processes
DEGRADATION OF PLASTIC TRANSPORTATION OF PLASTIC
Fragmentating
Sea surface
Sand Sea floor
Water column
Marine life
EVERYWHERE
Microplastics (MPs)
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
Most Microplastics come from slow degradation processes and they are pervasive
Marine pollution is a major environmental issue worldwide
There is no clear definition for Microplastics but most
studies refers to particles lt 5 mm in diameter
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
36
The Maltese Islands
37
The Maltese Islands
+ Within the heart of the Mediterranean Sea
+ Valuing and unique landscapes habitats and wildlife
- The 1st highest population density in Europe (2016)
- Surrounded by the most polluted sea
38
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
Għadira Bay
St Georgersquos Bay
Pretty Bay
39
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
GPS Coordinates (WGS84) 35deg56rsquo0193rsquorsquo N 14deg20rsquo4006rsquorsquo E
Marine Protected Area (MPA)
40
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
41
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għadira Bay
42
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
St Georgersquos Bay
43
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Pretty Bay
44
Beach profile
Sea conditions
Biology
Topography
Sedimentology
Meteorological
conditions
Demography amp Socio-economy
45
z
Beach profileTOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
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bull Mr John Cancalosi
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bull Ms Lisa Steiner
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bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
BUThellip
28
Marine pollution The Mediterranean Sea has been highlighted as
one of the most polluted seas in the world mainly due to significant loss of plastic materials (Deudero et
Alomar 2015)
Eriksen et al 2014Lebreton et al 2012Coacutezar et al 2015Suaria et al 2016
Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD)
Good Environmental Status (GES)
laquo Properties and quantities of marine litter do not cause harm to the
coastal and marine environment raquo
(European Parliament 2008)
Microplastics (MPs)
= Any plastic materials which
measure less than 5 mm in diameter
Primary Microplastics
Secondary Microplastics
= Basic form to create any
plastic products
= Slowly degraded by the
environment
Microplastics (MPs)
Arthur et al 2009Cole et al 2011Corcoran et al 2009Fendall et Sewell 2009Galgani et al 2013Hartl et al 2015Van Cauwenberghe et al 2015Wright et al 2013
LMPs = 1-5 mm SMPs = 1μm (20μm)-
1mm
31
Physical
Chemical
Biological
Wave actionTemperature
UVs
OxidationHydrolysis
Micro-organisms
Microplastics (MPs)
Degradation processes
32
Microplastics (MPs)
General processes
PE PP
PS
PVC PET Cave
~ 20
Floating
Biofouling
Defouling
Bioaccumulating
Resuspending (eg faeces currents)
Sea surface
Water column
Seabed
~ 80
Accumulating
Biota
Natural processes
DEGRADATION OF PLASTIC TRANSPORTATION OF PLASTIC
Fragmentating
Sea surface
Sand Sea floor
Water column
Marine life
EVERYWHERE
Microplastics (MPs)
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
Most Microplastics come from slow degradation processes and they are pervasive
Marine pollution is a major environmental issue worldwide
There is no clear definition for Microplastics but most
studies refers to particles lt 5 mm in diameter
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
36
The Maltese Islands
37
The Maltese Islands
+ Within the heart of the Mediterranean Sea
+ Valuing and unique landscapes habitats and wildlife
- The 1st highest population density in Europe (2016)
- Surrounded by the most polluted sea
38
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
Għadira Bay
St Georgersquos Bay
Pretty Bay
39
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
GPS Coordinates (WGS84) 35deg56rsquo0193rsquorsquo N 14deg20rsquo4006rsquorsquo E
Marine Protected Area (MPA)
40
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
41
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għadira Bay
42
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
St Georgersquos Bay
43
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Pretty Bay
44
Beach profile
Sea conditions
Biology
Topography
Sedimentology
Meteorological
conditions
Demography amp Socio-economy
45
z
Beach profileTOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
BUThellip
28
Marine pollution The Mediterranean Sea has been highlighted as
one of the most polluted seas in the world mainly due to significant loss of plastic materials (Deudero et
Alomar 2015)
Eriksen et al 2014Lebreton et al 2012Coacutezar et al 2015Suaria et al 2016
Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD)
Good Environmental Status (GES)
laquo Properties and quantities of marine litter do not cause harm to the
coastal and marine environment raquo
(European Parliament 2008)
Microplastics (MPs)
= Any plastic materials which
measure less than 5 mm in diameter
Primary Microplastics
Secondary Microplastics
= Basic form to create any
plastic products
= Slowly degraded by the
environment
Microplastics (MPs)
Arthur et al 2009Cole et al 2011Corcoran et al 2009Fendall et Sewell 2009Galgani et al 2013Hartl et al 2015Van Cauwenberghe et al 2015Wright et al 2013
LMPs = 1-5 mm SMPs = 1μm (20μm)-
1mm
31
Physical
Chemical
Biological
Wave actionTemperature
UVs
OxidationHydrolysis
Micro-organisms
Microplastics (MPs)
Degradation processes
32
Microplastics (MPs)
General processes
PE PP
PS
PVC PET Cave
~ 20
Floating
Biofouling
Defouling
Bioaccumulating
Resuspending (eg faeces currents)
Sea surface
Water column
Seabed
~ 80
Accumulating
Biota
Natural processes
DEGRADATION OF PLASTIC TRANSPORTATION OF PLASTIC
Fragmentating
Sea surface
Sand Sea floor
Water column
Marine life
EVERYWHERE
Microplastics (MPs)
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
Most Microplastics come from slow degradation processes and they are pervasive
Marine pollution is a major environmental issue worldwide
There is no clear definition for Microplastics but most
studies refers to particles lt 5 mm in diameter
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
36
The Maltese Islands
37
The Maltese Islands
+ Within the heart of the Mediterranean Sea
+ Valuing and unique landscapes habitats and wildlife
- The 1st highest population density in Europe (2016)
- Surrounded by the most polluted sea
38
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
Għadira Bay
St Georgersquos Bay
Pretty Bay
39
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
GPS Coordinates (WGS84) 35deg56rsquo0193rsquorsquo N 14deg20rsquo4006rsquorsquo E
Marine Protected Area (MPA)
40
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
41
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għadira Bay
42
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
St Georgersquos Bay
43
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Pretty Bay
44
Beach profile
Sea conditions
Biology
Topography
Sedimentology
Meteorological
conditions
Demography amp Socio-economy
45
z
Beach profileTOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
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bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
BUThellip
28
Marine pollution The Mediterranean Sea has been highlighted as
one of the most polluted seas in the world mainly due to significant loss of plastic materials (Deudero et
Alomar 2015)
Eriksen et al 2014Lebreton et al 2012Coacutezar et al 2015Suaria et al 2016
Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD)
Good Environmental Status (GES)
laquo Properties and quantities of marine litter do not cause harm to the
coastal and marine environment raquo
(European Parliament 2008)
Microplastics (MPs)
= Any plastic materials which
measure less than 5 mm in diameter
Primary Microplastics
Secondary Microplastics
= Basic form to create any
plastic products
= Slowly degraded by the
environment
Microplastics (MPs)
Arthur et al 2009Cole et al 2011Corcoran et al 2009Fendall et Sewell 2009Galgani et al 2013Hartl et al 2015Van Cauwenberghe et al 2015Wright et al 2013
LMPs = 1-5 mm SMPs = 1μm (20μm)-
1mm
31
Physical
Chemical
Biological
Wave actionTemperature
UVs
OxidationHydrolysis
Micro-organisms
Microplastics (MPs)
Degradation processes
32
Microplastics (MPs)
General processes
PE PP
PS
PVC PET Cave
~ 20
Floating
Biofouling
Defouling
Bioaccumulating
Resuspending (eg faeces currents)
Sea surface
Water column
Seabed
~ 80
Accumulating
Biota
Natural processes
DEGRADATION OF PLASTIC TRANSPORTATION OF PLASTIC
Fragmentating
Sea surface
Sand Sea floor
Water column
Marine life
EVERYWHERE
Microplastics (MPs)
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
Most Microplastics come from slow degradation processes and they are pervasive
Marine pollution is a major environmental issue worldwide
There is no clear definition for Microplastics but most
studies refers to particles lt 5 mm in diameter
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
36
The Maltese Islands
37
The Maltese Islands
+ Within the heart of the Mediterranean Sea
+ Valuing and unique landscapes habitats and wildlife
- The 1st highest population density in Europe (2016)
- Surrounded by the most polluted sea
38
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
Għadira Bay
St Georgersquos Bay
Pretty Bay
39
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
GPS Coordinates (WGS84) 35deg56rsquo0193rsquorsquo N 14deg20rsquo4006rsquorsquo E
Marine Protected Area (MPA)
40
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
41
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għadira Bay
42
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
St Georgersquos Bay
43
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Pretty Bay
44
Beach profile
Sea conditions
Biology
Topography
Sedimentology
Meteorological
conditions
Demography amp Socio-economy
45
z
Beach profileTOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
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bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
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bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
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bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
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bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
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bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
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PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
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bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
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bull Ms Lisa Steiner
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bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
NORTH AMERICA
EUROPEASIA
AFRICA
SOUTH AMERICA
OCEANIA
Marine pollutionThis is one of the major environmental concern
worldwide and various studies have been conducted since 1950rsquos
ANTARCTICA
ARCTICA
BUThellip
28
Marine pollution The Mediterranean Sea has been highlighted as
one of the most polluted seas in the world mainly due to significant loss of plastic materials (Deudero et
Alomar 2015)
Eriksen et al 2014Lebreton et al 2012Coacutezar et al 2015Suaria et al 2016
Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD)
Good Environmental Status (GES)
laquo Properties and quantities of marine litter do not cause harm to the
coastal and marine environment raquo
(European Parliament 2008)
Microplastics (MPs)
= Any plastic materials which
measure less than 5 mm in diameter
Primary Microplastics
Secondary Microplastics
= Basic form to create any
plastic products
= Slowly degraded by the
environment
Microplastics (MPs)
Arthur et al 2009Cole et al 2011Corcoran et al 2009Fendall et Sewell 2009Galgani et al 2013Hartl et al 2015Van Cauwenberghe et al 2015Wright et al 2013
LMPs = 1-5 mm SMPs = 1μm (20μm)-
1mm
31
Physical
Chemical
Biological
Wave actionTemperature
UVs
OxidationHydrolysis
Micro-organisms
Microplastics (MPs)
Degradation processes
32
Microplastics (MPs)
General processes
PE PP
PS
PVC PET Cave
~ 20
Floating
Biofouling
Defouling
Bioaccumulating
Resuspending (eg faeces currents)
Sea surface
Water column
Seabed
~ 80
Accumulating
Biota
Natural processes
DEGRADATION OF PLASTIC TRANSPORTATION OF PLASTIC
Fragmentating
Sea surface
Sand Sea floor
Water column
Marine life
EVERYWHERE
Microplastics (MPs)
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
Most Microplastics come from slow degradation processes and they are pervasive
Marine pollution is a major environmental issue worldwide
There is no clear definition for Microplastics but most
studies refers to particles lt 5 mm in diameter
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
36
The Maltese Islands
37
The Maltese Islands
+ Within the heart of the Mediterranean Sea
+ Valuing and unique landscapes habitats and wildlife
- The 1st highest population density in Europe (2016)
- Surrounded by the most polluted sea
38
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
Għadira Bay
St Georgersquos Bay
Pretty Bay
39
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
GPS Coordinates (WGS84) 35deg56rsquo0193rsquorsquo N 14deg20rsquo4006rsquorsquo E
Marine Protected Area (MPA)
40
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
41
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għadira Bay
42
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
St Georgersquos Bay
43
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Pretty Bay
44
Beach profile
Sea conditions
Biology
Topography
Sedimentology
Meteorological
conditions
Demography amp Socio-economy
45
z
Beach profileTOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
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bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
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bull Ms Lisa Steiner
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bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
28
Marine pollution The Mediterranean Sea has been highlighted as
one of the most polluted seas in the world mainly due to significant loss of plastic materials (Deudero et
Alomar 2015)
Eriksen et al 2014Lebreton et al 2012Coacutezar et al 2015Suaria et al 2016
Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD)
Good Environmental Status (GES)
laquo Properties and quantities of marine litter do not cause harm to the
coastal and marine environment raquo
(European Parliament 2008)
Microplastics (MPs)
= Any plastic materials which
measure less than 5 mm in diameter
Primary Microplastics
Secondary Microplastics
= Basic form to create any
plastic products
= Slowly degraded by the
environment
Microplastics (MPs)
Arthur et al 2009Cole et al 2011Corcoran et al 2009Fendall et Sewell 2009Galgani et al 2013Hartl et al 2015Van Cauwenberghe et al 2015Wright et al 2013
LMPs = 1-5 mm SMPs = 1μm (20μm)-
1mm
31
Physical
Chemical
Biological
Wave actionTemperature
UVs
OxidationHydrolysis
Micro-organisms
Microplastics (MPs)
Degradation processes
32
Microplastics (MPs)
General processes
PE PP
PS
PVC PET Cave
~ 20
Floating
Biofouling
Defouling
Bioaccumulating
Resuspending (eg faeces currents)
Sea surface
Water column
Seabed
~ 80
Accumulating
Biota
Natural processes
DEGRADATION OF PLASTIC TRANSPORTATION OF PLASTIC
Fragmentating
Sea surface
Sand Sea floor
Water column
Marine life
EVERYWHERE
Microplastics (MPs)
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
Most Microplastics come from slow degradation processes and they are pervasive
Marine pollution is a major environmental issue worldwide
There is no clear definition for Microplastics but most
studies refers to particles lt 5 mm in diameter
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
36
The Maltese Islands
37
The Maltese Islands
+ Within the heart of the Mediterranean Sea
+ Valuing and unique landscapes habitats and wildlife
- The 1st highest population density in Europe (2016)
- Surrounded by the most polluted sea
38
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
Għadira Bay
St Georgersquos Bay
Pretty Bay
39
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
GPS Coordinates (WGS84) 35deg56rsquo0193rsquorsquo N 14deg20rsquo4006rsquorsquo E
Marine Protected Area (MPA)
40
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
41
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għadira Bay
42
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
St Georgersquos Bay
43
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Pretty Bay
44
Beach profile
Sea conditions
Biology
Topography
Sedimentology
Meteorological
conditions
Demography amp Socio-economy
45
z
Beach profileTOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
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bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
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bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD)
Good Environmental Status (GES)
laquo Properties and quantities of marine litter do not cause harm to the
coastal and marine environment raquo
(European Parliament 2008)
Microplastics (MPs)
= Any plastic materials which
measure less than 5 mm in diameter
Primary Microplastics
Secondary Microplastics
= Basic form to create any
plastic products
= Slowly degraded by the
environment
Microplastics (MPs)
Arthur et al 2009Cole et al 2011Corcoran et al 2009Fendall et Sewell 2009Galgani et al 2013Hartl et al 2015Van Cauwenberghe et al 2015Wright et al 2013
LMPs = 1-5 mm SMPs = 1μm (20μm)-
1mm
31
Physical
Chemical
Biological
Wave actionTemperature
UVs
OxidationHydrolysis
Micro-organisms
Microplastics (MPs)
Degradation processes
32
Microplastics (MPs)
General processes
PE PP
PS
PVC PET Cave
~ 20
Floating
Biofouling
Defouling
Bioaccumulating
Resuspending (eg faeces currents)
Sea surface
Water column
Seabed
~ 80
Accumulating
Biota
Natural processes
DEGRADATION OF PLASTIC TRANSPORTATION OF PLASTIC
Fragmentating
Sea surface
Sand Sea floor
Water column
Marine life
EVERYWHERE
Microplastics (MPs)
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
Most Microplastics come from slow degradation processes and they are pervasive
Marine pollution is a major environmental issue worldwide
There is no clear definition for Microplastics but most
studies refers to particles lt 5 mm in diameter
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
36
The Maltese Islands
37
The Maltese Islands
+ Within the heart of the Mediterranean Sea
+ Valuing and unique landscapes habitats and wildlife
- The 1st highest population density in Europe (2016)
- Surrounded by the most polluted sea
38
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
Għadira Bay
St Georgersquos Bay
Pretty Bay
39
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
GPS Coordinates (WGS84) 35deg56rsquo0193rsquorsquo N 14deg20rsquo4006rsquorsquo E
Marine Protected Area (MPA)
40
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
41
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għadira Bay
42
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
St Georgersquos Bay
43
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Pretty Bay
44
Beach profile
Sea conditions
Biology
Topography
Sedimentology
Meteorological
conditions
Demography amp Socio-economy
45
z
Beach profileTOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
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bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
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bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
= Any plastic materials which
measure less than 5 mm in diameter
Primary Microplastics
Secondary Microplastics
= Basic form to create any
plastic products
= Slowly degraded by the
environment
Microplastics (MPs)
Arthur et al 2009Cole et al 2011Corcoran et al 2009Fendall et Sewell 2009Galgani et al 2013Hartl et al 2015Van Cauwenberghe et al 2015Wright et al 2013
LMPs = 1-5 mm SMPs = 1μm (20μm)-
1mm
31
Physical
Chemical
Biological
Wave actionTemperature
UVs
OxidationHydrolysis
Micro-organisms
Microplastics (MPs)
Degradation processes
32
Microplastics (MPs)
General processes
PE PP
PS
PVC PET Cave
~ 20
Floating
Biofouling
Defouling
Bioaccumulating
Resuspending (eg faeces currents)
Sea surface
Water column
Seabed
~ 80
Accumulating
Biota
Natural processes
DEGRADATION OF PLASTIC TRANSPORTATION OF PLASTIC
Fragmentating
Sea surface
Sand Sea floor
Water column
Marine life
EVERYWHERE
Microplastics (MPs)
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
Most Microplastics come from slow degradation processes and they are pervasive
Marine pollution is a major environmental issue worldwide
There is no clear definition for Microplastics but most
studies refers to particles lt 5 mm in diameter
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
36
The Maltese Islands
37
The Maltese Islands
+ Within the heart of the Mediterranean Sea
+ Valuing and unique landscapes habitats and wildlife
- The 1st highest population density in Europe (2016)
- Surrounded by the most polluted sea
38
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
Għadira Bay
St Georgersquos Bay
Pretty Bay
39
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
GPS Coordinates (WGS84) 35deg56rsquo0193rsquorsquo N 14deg20rsquo4006rsquorsquo E
Marine Protected Area (MPA)
40
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
41
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għadira Bay
42
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
St Georgersquos Bay
43
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Pretty Bay
44
Beach profile
Sea conditions
Biology
Topography
Sedimentology
Meteorological
conditions
Demography amp Socio-economy
45
z
Beach profileTOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
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bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
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bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
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bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
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bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
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bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
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bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
31
Physical
Chemical
Biological
Wave actionTemperature
UVs
OxidationHydrolysis
Micro-organisms
Microplastics (MPs)
Degradation processes
32
Microplastics (MPs)
General processes
PE PP
PS
PVC PET Cave
~ 20
Floating
Biofouling
Defouling
Bioaccumulating
Resuspending (eg faeces currents)
Sea surface
Water column
Seabed
~ 80
Accumulating
Biota
Natural processes
DEGRADATION OF PLASTIC TRANSPORTATION OF PLASTIC
Fragmentating
Sea surface
Sand Sea floor
Water column
Marine life
EVERYWHERE
Microplastics (MPs)
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
Most Microplastics come from slow degradation processes and they are pervasive
Marine pollution is a major environmental issue worldwide
There is no clear definition for Microplastics but most
studies refers to particles lt 5 mm in diameter
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
36
The Maltese Islands
37
The Maltese Islands
+ Within the heart of the Mediterranean Sea
+ Valuing and unique landscapes habitats and wildlife
- The 1st highest population density in Europe (2016)
- Surrounded by the most polluted sea
38
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
Għadira Bay
St Georgersquos Bay
Pretty Bay
39
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
GPS Coordinates (WGS84) 35deg56rsquo0193rsquorsquo N 14deg20rsquo4006rsquorsquo E
Marine Protected Area (MPA)
40
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
41
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għadira Bay
42
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
St Georgersquos Bay
43
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Pretty Bay
44
Beach profile
Sea conditions
Biology
Topography
Sedimentology
Meteorological
conditions
Demography amp Socio-economy
45
z
Beach profileTOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
32
Microplastics (MPs)
General processes
PE PP
PS
PVC PET Cave
~ 20
Floating
Biofouling
Defouling
Bioaccumulating
Resuspending (eg faeces currents)
Sea surface
Water column
Seabed
~ 80
Accumulating
Biota
Natural processes
DEGRADATION OF PLASTIC TRANSPORTATION OF PLASTIC
Fragmentating
Sea surface
Sand Sea floor
Water column
Marine life
EVERYWHERE
Microplastics (MPs)
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
Most Microplastics come from slow degradation processes and they are pervasive
Marine pollution is a major environmental issue worldwide
There is no clear definition for Microplastics but most
studies refers to particles lt 5 mm in diameter
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
36
The Maltese Islands
37
The Maltese Islands
+ Within the heart of the Mediterranean Sea
+ Valuing and unique landscapes habitats and wildlife
- The 1st highest population density in Europe (2016)
- Surrounded by the most polluted sea
38
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
Għadira Bay
St Georgersquos Bay
Pretty Bay
39
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
GPS Coordinates (WGS84) 35deg56rsquo0193rsquorsquo N 14deg20rsquo4006rsquorsquo E
Marine Protected Area (MPA)
40
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
41
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għadira Bay
42
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
St Georgersquos Bay
43
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Pretty Bay
44
Beach profile
Sea conditions
Biology
Topography
Sedimentology
Meteorological
conditions
Demography amp Socio-economy
45
z
Beach profileTOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
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bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
Sea surface
Sand Sea floor
Water column
Marine life
EVERYWHERE
Microplastics (MPs)
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
Most Microplastics come from slow degradation processes and they are pervasive
Marine pollution is a major environmental issue worldwide
There is no clear definition for Microplastics but most
studies refers to particles lt 5 mm in diameter
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
36
The Maltese Islands
37
The Maltese Islands
+ Within the heart of the Mediterranean Sea
+ Valuing and unique landscapes habitats and wildlife
- The 1st highest population density in Europe (2016)
- Surrounded by the most polluted sea
38
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
Għadira Bay
St Georgersquos Bay
Pretty Bay
39
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
GPS Coordinates (WGS84) 35deg56rsquo0193rsquorsquo N 14deg20rsquo4006rsquorsquo E
Marine Protected Area (MPA)
40
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
41
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għadira Bay
42
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
St Georgersquos Bay
43
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Pretty Bay
44
Beach profile
Sea conditions
Biology
Topography
Sedimentology
Meteorological
conditions
Demography amp Socio-economy
45
z
Beach profileTOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
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bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
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bull wwwmyuscomno
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bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
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bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
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bull httppngimgcomsearch
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bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
Most Microplastics come from slow degradation processes and they are pervasive
Marine pollution is a major environmental issue worldwide
There is no clear definition for Microplastics but most
studies refers to particles lt 5 mm in diameter
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
36
The Maltese Islands
37
The Maltese Islands
+ Within the heart of the Mediterranean Sea
+ Valuing and unique landscapes habitats and wildlife
- The 1st highest population density in Europe (2016)
- Surrounded by the most polluted sea
38
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
Għadira Bay
St Georgersquos Bay
Pretty Bay
39
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
GPS Coordinates (WGS84) 35deg56rsquo0193rsquorsquo N 14deg20rsquo4006rsquorsquo E
Marine Protected Area (MPA)
40
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
41
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għadira Bay
42
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
St Georgersquos Bay
43
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Pretty Bay
44
Beach profile
Sea conditions
Biology
Topography
Sedimentology
Meteorological
conditions
Demography amp Socio-economy
45
z
Beach profileTOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
36
The Maltese Islands
37
The Maltese Islands
+ Within the heart of the Mediterranean Sea
+ Valuing and unique landscapes habitats and wildlife
- The 1st highest population density in Europe (2016)
- Surrounded by the most polluted sea
38
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
Għadira Bay
St Georgersquos Bay
Pretty Bay
39
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
GPS Coordinates (WGS84) 35deg56rsquo0193rsquorsquo N 14deg20rsquo4006rsquorsquo E
Marine Protected Area (MPA)
40
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
41
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għadira Bay
42
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
St Georgersquos Bay
43
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Pretty Bay
44
Beach profile
Sea conditions
Biology
Topography
Sedimentology
Meteorological
conditions
Demography amp Socio-economy
45
z
Beach profileTOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
36
The Maltese Islands
37
The Maltese Islands
+ Within the heart of the Mediterranean Sea
+ Valuing and unique landscapes habitats and wildlife
- The 1st highest population density in Europe (2016)
- Surrounded by the most polluted sea
38
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
Għadira Bay
St Georgersquos Bay
Pretty Bay
39
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
GPS Coordinates (WGS84) 35deg56rsquo0193rsquorsquo N 14deg20rsquo4006rsquorsquo E
Marine Protected Area (MPA)
40
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
41
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għadira Bay
42
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
St Georgersquos Bay
43
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Pretty Bay
44
Beach profile
Sea conditions
Biology
Topography
Sedimentology
Meteorological
conditions
Demography amp Socio-economy
45
z
Beach profileTOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
37
The Maltese Islands
+ Within the heart of the Mediterranean Sea
+ Valuing and unique landscapes habitats and wildlife
- The 1st highest population density in Europe (2016)
- Surrounded by the most polluted sea
38
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
Għadira Bay
St Georgersquos Bay
Pretty Bay
39
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
GPS Coordinates (WGS84) 35deg56rsquo0193rsquorsquo N 14deg20rsquo4006rsquorsquo E
Marine Protected Area (MPA)
40
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
41
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għadira Bay
42
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
St Georgersquos Bay
43
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Pretty Bay
44
Beach profile
Sea conditions
Biology
Topography
Sedimentology
Meteorological
conditions
Demography amp Socio-economy
45
z
Beach profileTOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
38
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
Għadira Bay
St Georgersquos Bay
Pretty Bay
39
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
GPS Coordinates (WGS84) 35deg56rsquo0193rsquorsquo N 14deg20rsquo4006rsquorsquo E
Marine Protected Area (MPA)
40
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
41
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għadira Bay
42
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
St Georgersquos Bay
43
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Pretty Bay
44
Beach profile
Sea conditions
Biology
Topography
Sedimentology
Meteorological
conditions
Demography amp Socio-economy
45
z
Beach profileTOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
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bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
39
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Golden Bay
GPS Coordinates (WGS84) 35deg56rsquo0193rsquorsquo N 14deg20rsquo4006rsquorsquo E
Marine Protected Area (MPA)
40
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
41
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għadira Bay
42
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
St Georgersquos Bay
43
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Pretty Bay
44
Beach profile
Sea conditions
Biology
Topography
Sedimentology
Meteorological
conditions
Demography amp Socio-economy
45
z
Beach profileTOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
40
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għajn Tuffieħa Bay
41
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għadira Bay
42
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
St Georgersquos Bay
43
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Pretty Bay
44
Beach profile
Sea conditions
Biology
Topography
Sedimentology
Meteorological
conditions
Demography amp Socio-economy
45
z
Beach profileTOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
41
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Għadira Bay
42
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
St Georgersquos Bay
43
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Pretty Bay
44
Beach profile
Sea conditions
Biology
Topography
Sedimentology
Meteorological
conditions
Demography amp Socio-economy
45
z
Beach profileTOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
42
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
St Georgersquos Bay
43
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Pretty Bay
44
Beach profile
Sea conditions
Biology
Topography
Sedimentology
Meteorological
conditions
Demography amp Socio-economy
45
z
Beach profileTOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
43
Study areas
Bezzina 2016
Pretty Bay
44
Beach profile
Sea conditions
Biology
Topography
Sedimentology
Meteorological
conditions
Demography amp Socio-economy
45
z
Beach profileTOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
44
Beach profile
Sea conditions
Biology
Topography
Sedimentology
Meteorological
conditions
Demography amp Socio-economy
45
z
Beach profileTOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
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bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
45
z
Beach profileTOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
46
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
GIS(eg Google Earth MapInfo ArcGIS))
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
47
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
Measurements(eg Clinometer Iphone)
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
48
z
Beach profile
TOPOGRAPHY
Name GB-MtShape Type PolygonNumber of Points 33
Area (msup2) 8 813Perimeter (m) 522Max length (m) 189
Max width (m) 9170Degree of slope On siteAperture angle On map
(eg Google Earth Protractor)
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
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bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
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bull Ms Lisa Steiner
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bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
49
Beach profile
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
Physical degradation of plastic materials + Transport
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
50
Beach profile
Ocean acidification ndash oils amp polymers are leaching from plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
51
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
52
Beach profile
Physical degradation of plastic materials
+ Transport
SEA CONDITIONS
Wave Exposure Index (EI) pH
Wave Heights (m) Sea Surface Temperature (SST) (degC)
Tides amp Currents (eg sea-level variability coastal seiches)
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
53
z
Beach profile
Wind speed (ms) amp direction Prevailing
Weather -Humidity () -
UV Index Physical degradation of plastic
Precipitations (mm3hrs) Run-off(s)SunriseSunset time Sun exposure
METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
54
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
55
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
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bull Ms Lisa Steiner
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bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
56
z
Beach profile
SEDIMENTOLOGYGrain-size Sieving conventional TechniquePermeability (cms) Ability of fluid to pass through sediment
Porosity Soil having interstices through which liquidair may pass
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Infauna Chemical degradation
pH Infauna Acidification
500 ml dry sediment
500 ml
water
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
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bull Wild Wonders of Europe
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bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
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bull Ms Lisa Steiner
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bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
57
Beach profile
Identification of species Identification key
Abundance Number of individuals within speciesSpecific richness Number of speciesShannon diversity index Number of species amp abundance
Pielou Equitability Distribution of individuals within species
BIOLOGY ECOLOGY
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
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bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
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bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
58
z
Beach profile
Permanent residents -Inbound tourism Per month Per yearAvg number of bathers Per day Per monthMarine Protected Area (MPA) YesNo (date)
Blue Flag YesNo (date)
Presence of macro-litter YesNo (when sampling)
Number of bins -Number of activities Among 21
Clean-ups Frequency technique(s)
DEMOGRAPHY SOCIO-ECONOMY
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
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bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
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bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
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bull Mr John Cancalosi
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bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
Q2 Q4 Q6 Q8 Q10
Q1 Q3 Q5 Q7 Q9
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
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bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
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bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
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bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
10 m
0 m
50 cm
Strandline
Strandline
Landmark
Bin
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
Sampling Beach sediment ndash in Malta
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
IMPORTANT MESSAGES
The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Number of line transects (eg 3 5) and
direction (along or perpendicular to the strandline)
Dimensions of quadrats (eg 1x1 m 50x50 cm 25x25 cm 5x5 cm)
Superficial layer of sediment (eg 0-5 cm 0-15 cm 5-10 cm)
Galgani et al 2013Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Kunz et al 2016Laglbauer et al 2014
Lippiatt et al 2013McKinley 2014Wessel et al 2016Yu et al 2016
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
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bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in Malta
Strandline
T1
0 m x laquo Biological zero raquo
3 m depth x
7 m depth x
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Shallow waters (0-60 m)
Van Veen Grab
Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hammon Grab
Multisampler Beeker
sampler
Metal cores
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
Sampling Marine sediment ndash in general
Deep waters (gt 60 m)
Van Veen Grab Ekman Grab
Smith-McIntyre Grab
Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Claessens et al 2011Loumlder et Gerdts 2015
Hammon grab
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
The main variationslimitations in the sampling phase depend on
Volume and height sampled (grab or equipment capacity) Diving generates more disturbance of the sediment but it is much cheaper
Substrate (soft or coarse sediment)
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
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bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
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bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
67
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Bongo net
Manta net
Ring net
Neuston netWP2 net
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
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bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
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bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
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bull Mr Peter Clarke
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net tow - Speed and Time
Research vessel
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
Sampling Water column (sea surface) ndash in general
Net type Mesh size (μm)
Dimensions (cm)
Tow speed (knots)
Tow time (minutes)
Depth (cm) References
Bongo - - - - - -
Ring 120 Oslash 50 1-2 5-7 0-25 Castillo et al 2016
Manta
333300333330333333505500333333505
60 x 2050 x 1561 x 1660 x 1590 x 1561 x 16
--
60 x 2560 x 20
86 x 155
~ 254
~ 1-3~ 27~ 1-3~ 1-3
~ 1-15~ 2
~ 313~ 2515-2
6030-
45-90-
601520
15-302015
0-10-
0-25----
0-50-
0-10-
Pedrotti et al 2016Sadri et Thompson 2014
Setaumllauml et al 2016Faure et al 2015Moore et al 2001Eriksen et al 2013Gilfillan et al 2009De Lucia et al 2014
Ruiz-Orejόn et al 2016Collignon et al 2012
Doyle et al 2011
Neuston
200330200
1000-
330505
5050 x 50
-200
--
50 x 30
2-32
15100
-~ 1-415-2
~ 1510201-2-
15-6010
------
0-10 (15)
Cόzar et al 2015Yamashita et Tanimura 2007
Fossi et al 2016Van Cauwenberghe et al 2013
Goldstein et al 2012Eriksen et al 2014Doyle et al 2011
WP2200200200
60 x 25Oslash 57Oslash 57
~ 1351
~ 15
201520
0-20--
Collignon et al 2014Fossi et al 2012Panti et al 2015
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
Sampling Water column ndash in general
Niskin bottle sampler
Van Dorn samplerKemmerer sampler
Specific
depthsor
Tows at selected depths (eg 15 m or 212
m)
Bongo net
WP2 net
Vertical distribution
(s)
Doyle et al 2011 Fossi et al 2012Hansen 2016 Santos 2015
William et Zimmermann 2014
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
IMPORTANT MESSAGES The risk of contamination is considered but still
ubiquitous
There are no standard methodologies yet
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
Characteristics of the net (eg type mesh size) Time and speed of the net tow
Conservation of samples on boat
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
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bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
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bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
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bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
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bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
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bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
- PhD in Marine Science - laquo Assessing levels of Microplastics in Maltese waters (Central Mediterranean) and their impacts on selected marine species in compliance with the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) obligations raquo
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
Sampling Marine biota ndash in general
More than 700 species have been recorded ingesting plastic materials
COLLECTION IN THE WILD (eg trawl surveys [skin] biopsies or faeces dives
part of nests)
FINDING OF DEAD OR DYING INDIVIDUALS AT SEA OR ON LAND
FISH MARKET OR OTHER PURCHASE
Caron et al 2016 Bellas et al 2016Browne et al 2013 Cole et al 2013De Witte et al 2014 Fossi et al 2016Devriese et al 2015 Galgani et al 2013Rebolledo et Van Franeker 2015
WATER OR SEDIMENT SAMPLES (ie micro-organisms infauna)
Preservation treatment Formalin solution Ethanol Isopropyl alcohol
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
IMPORTANT MESSAGES Numerous marine organisms are under
threat of ingesting microplastics
There are no standard methodologies yet even though some protocols purpose guidelines
The main variations in the sampling phase depend on
The number of individuals collected Conservation of the samples
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
Analysing
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 1
Record wet weight of sediment
DRYING SAMPLE
Record dry weight of sediment
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull 1-2 daysbull Min 24 hrs
bull 250degCbull 75degCbull 655degC
Mc Kinley 2014Mathalon et Hill 2014Masura et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 2
DENSITY
SEPARATING
At 25degC
bull NaCl = 120 gmlbull CaCl2 = 147 gmlbull ZnCl2 = 214 gmlbull NaI = 184 gmlbull Na2WO4 = 074 gml
Which
Claessens et al 2013Cole et al 2014Hidalgo-Ruz et al 2012Masura et al 2015Stolte 2014
Stirring 2rsquo
500 ml CaCl2 solution (147 gml)
Settlementmin 30rsquo
Supernatant
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 3
COLLECTING
Filter Paper 300 μm (FP)Vacuum
Filtration System
Supernatant
+ large visible MPs
+ large visible MPs
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 4
OBSERVINGor
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 5
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
Analysing Beach sediment or Water samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 1
DEFROSTDISSECTING
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach andor
intestine)
Characterisation of individualbull Speciesbull Sexbull Age Maturity stagebull IUCN Conservation statusbull Cause of deathbull Locationbull Originbull Morphometric measurements (eg lengths widths)bull Health state etchellip
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 2
Record wet weight of tissue (001 g)
Digestive system(ie oeasophagus stomach
intestine)
WEIGHING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
COLLECTING THE CONTENT
(if possible)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 3
Highly reactive
Digestive system or content
(ie oeasophagus stomach intestine)
WET DIGESTING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014Cole et al 2014
Which
Acid digestionbull HNO3 bull H2SO4
bull HCl bull H2PO4
bull HF bull H2O2
bull HClO4 bull KOHAlkaline digestionbull NaOH
Enzymatic digestion
bull Proteinase K
Acid alkaline or enzymatic solution
DENSITY SEPARATING (if needed)
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 4
CLEANING + FILTERING
Galgani et al 2013Duis et Coors 2016Matusiewicz 2014
D(I)W (and 70 Ethanol)
Vacuum Filtration System
1 or 5 mm mesh size
Digested preparation
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 5
OBSERVING
32x-80x
Drying FP
HowWhich temperatureHow long
bull Ovenbull Drying
cabinet
bull Min 12 hrsbull 24 hrs
bull 100degCbull 60degCbull 40degC
Cover when not in use
Gomes de Carvalho 2016Massos 2015Davison et al 2015
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
ISOLATING
32x-80x
Cover when not in use
Fibre(s)
MPs
D(I)W
D(I)W
(dried at air TdegC) - Covered for protection
Cleaning
Storage
D(I)W drop
ABUNDANCE OF FIBERS
ABUNDANCE OF MPs
Coacutezar et Martiacute 2016
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
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bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
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bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
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bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
Analysing Biota samples
PHASE 6
CHARACTERIZING
Cover when not in use
Image J
SIZE MEASUREMENTS
COLOUR
SHAPE
TYPE
32x-80x
orand
FTIR or RAMAN Spectroscopyor laquo hot needle raquo test
POLYMER COMPOSITION
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
Conclusions
bull Through decades plastic has become a crucial component of global human society as it provides various advantages However it has also generated marine litter (lack of knowledge inefficient management and insufficient legal framework)
bull Microplastics are ubiquitous worldwide and many studies have highlighted the (potential) negative impacts on marine life thus human kind
bull At this stage most studies involve (i) abundance (ii) spatio-temporal distribution (iii) characterization of microplastics Beside standard definitions and harmonized methodologies still need to be improved to
- enable comparisons between countries - provide coherent recommendations to policy-makers and other
stakeholders - enhance a sustainable protection of the marine ecosystem
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
Conclusions
What I think I do
STUDYING MICROPLASTICS IN THE SEA
What I actually do
012345
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
REFERENCESbull ARTHUR C BAKER J BAMFORD H (2009) Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine
Debris NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-30 49 pp
bull AUBRY J (2004) Les matiegraveres plastiques 18 pp
bull BELLAS J MARTIacuteNEZ-ARMENTAL J MARTIacuteNEZ-CAacuteMARA A BESADA V MARTIacuteNEZ-GOacuteMEZ C (2016) Ingestion of microplastics by demersal fish from the Spanish Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts Mar Poll Bull 109 pp 55-60
bull BELLIS M (2011) The history of plastics ndash Timeline of plastics 2 pp
bull BEZZINA M (2016) Monitoring of microplastics on local sandy beaches A dissertation presented to the Faculty of Science in part fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) at the University of Malta Department of Biology University of Malta 72 pp
bull BROWNE MA NIVEN SJ GALLOWAY TS ROWLAND SJ THOMPSON RC (2013) Microplastic moves pollutants and additives to worms reducing functions linked to health and biodiversity Current Biology 23 pp 2388-2392
bull CARON AGM THOMAS CR ARIEL E BERRY KLE BOYLE S MOTTI CA RODIE JE (2016) Extraction and identification of microplastics from sea turtles method development and preliminary results Report No 1552 24 pp
bull CASTILLO AB AL-MASLAMANI I OBBARD J-P (2016) Prevalence of microplastics in the marine waters of Qatar Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 260-267
bull CLAESSENS M DE MEESTER S VAN LANDUYT L DE CLERCK K JANSSEN CR (2011) Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2199-2204
bull CLAESSENS M VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANDEGEHUCHTE MB JANSSEN CR (2013) New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms Mar Poll Bull 70 pp 227-233
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment A review Mar Poll Bull 62 pp 2588-2597
bull COLE M LINDEQUE P FILEMAN E HALSBAND C GOODHEAD R MOGER J GALLOWAY TS (2013) Microplastic ingestion by zooplankton Environ Sc amp Techno 11 pp
bull COLE M WEBB H LINDEQUE PK FILEMAN ES HALSBAND C GALLOWAY TS (2014) Isolation of microplastics in biota-rich seawater samples and marine organisms Scientific reports 8 pp
bull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F VOISIN P COLLARD F GOFFART A (2012) Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the North Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 861-864
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
REFERENCESbull COLLIGNON A HECQ J-H GALGANI F COLLARD F GOFFART A (2014) Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic particles and zooplankton in
the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean-Corsica) Mar Poll Bull 79 pp 293-298
bull CORCORAN PL BIESINGER MC GRIFI M (2009) Plastics and beaches A degrading relationship Mar Poll Bull 58 pp80-84
bull COacuteZAR A SANZ-MARTIacuteN M MARTIacute E GONZAacuteLEZ-GORDILLO JI UBEDA B GAacuteLVEZ JA IRIGOIEN X DUARTE CM (2015) Plastic accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea PLoS ONE 10(4) e0121762 Doi 101371journalpone0121762 13 pp
bull DAVIDSON E HASTINGS C WATERFIELD H YOKOTA K (2015) Development of methods to characterize amp extract plastic microparticles from personal cleansing products 7 pp
bull DE LUCIA GA CALIANI I MARRA S CAMEDDA A COPPA S ALCARO L CAMPANI T GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D CICERO A-M PANTI C BAINI M GUERRANTI C MARSILI L MASSARO G FOSSI M-C MATIDDI M (2014) Amount and distribution of neustonic micro-plastic off the Western Sardinian coast (Central-Western Mediterranean Sea) Mar Environ Research 26 pp
bull DE WITTE B DEVRIESE L BEKAERT K HOFFMAN S VANDERMEERSCH G COOREMAN K ROBBENS J (2014) Quality assessment of the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) Comparison between commercial and wild types Mar Poll Bull 85 pp 146-155
bull DEUDERO S ALOMAR C (2015) Mediterranean marine biodiversity under threat Reviewing influence of marine litter on species Mar Poll Bull 98 pp58-68
bull DEVRIESE L VAN DER MEULEN MD MAES T BEKAERT K PAUL-PONT I FRERE L ROBBENS J VETHAAK AD (2015) Microplastic contamination in brown shrimp (Crangon crangon Linnaeus 1758) from coastal waters of the Southern North Sea and Channel area Mar Poll Bull 98 pp 179-187
bull DOYLE MJ WATSON W BOWLIN NM SHEAVLY SB (2011) Plastic particles in coastal pelagic ecosystems of the Northeast Pacific Ocean Mar Environ Research 71 pp 41-52
bull DUI K COORS A (2016) Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment source (with a specific focus on personal care products) fate and effects Environ Sci Eur 25 pp
bull ERIKSEN M MAXIMENKO N THIEL M CUMMINS A LATTIN G WILSON S HAFNER J ZELLERS A RIFMAN S (2013) Plastic pollution in the South Pacific subtropical gyre Mar Poll Bull 68 pp 71-76
bull ERISKSEN M LEBRETON LCM CARSON HS THIEL M MOORE CJ BORERRO JC GALGANI F RYAN PG REISSER J (2014) Plastic pollution in the Worldrsquos Oceans More than 5 trillion plastic pieces weighing over 250000 tons afloat at sea PLoS ONE 9(12) e111913 DOI101371journal Pone0111913 15 pp
bull EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (2008) Directive 200856EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) Official Journal of the European Union 22 pp
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
REFERENCESbull FAURE F SAINI C POTTER G GALGANI F DE ALENCASTRO L-F HAGMANN P (2015) An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in
pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea 17 pp
bull FENDALL LS SEWELL MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face Microplastics in facial cleansers Mar Poll Bull 58 pp 1225-1228
bull FOSSI M-C PANTI C GUERRANTI C COPPOLA D GIANNETTI M MARSILI L MINUTOLI R (2012) Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) Mar Poll Bull 64 pp 2374-2379
bull FOSSI M-C MARSILI L BAINI M GIANNETTI M COPPOLA D GUERRANTI C CALIANI I MINUTOLI R LAURIANO G FINOIA M-G RUBEGNI F PANIGADA S BEacuteRUBEacute M RAMIacuteREZ J-U PANTI C (2016) Fin whales and microplastics The Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Cortez scenarios Environ Poll 209 pp 68-78
bull GALGANI F HANKE G WERNER S OOSTERBAAN L NILSSON P FLEET D KINSEY S THOMPSON RC VAN FRANEKER J VLACHOGIANNI T SCOULLOS M MIRA VEIGA J PALATINUS A MATIDDI M MAES T KORPINEN S BUDZIAK A LESLIE H GAGO J LIEBEZEIT G (2013) Monitoring guidance for Marine litter in European seas ndash Draft report European Marine Strategy Framework Directive Working Group on Good Environmental Status (WG-GES) 120 pp
bull GILFILLAN LR DOYLE MJ OHMAN MD WATSON W (2009) Occurrence of plastic micro-debris in the Southern California current system CalCOFI Rep Vol 50 11 pp
bull GOLDSTEIN MC ROSENBERG M CHENG L (2012) Increased oceanic microplastic debris enhances oviposition in an endemic pelagic insect Biol Lett 8 pp 817-820
bull GOMES DE CARVALHO D BAPTISTA NETO JA (2016) Microplastic pollution of the beaches of Guanabara Bay Southeast Brazil Ocean amp Coastal Management 128 pp 10-17
bull HANSEN L (2016) Macro and micro plastics in an urbanized and non-urbanized fjord estuary in the Northeast Pacific Ocean University of Washington School of Oceanography Seattle 19 pp
bull HARTL MGJ GUBBINS E GUTIERREZ T FERNANDES TF (2015) Review of existing knowledge ndash Emerging contaminants Focus on nanomaterials and microplastics Scotlandrsquos centre of expertise for waters 20 pp
bull HIDALGO-RUZ V GUTOW L THOMPSON RC THIEL M (2012) Microplastics in the marine environment A review of the methods used for identification and quantification Environ Science amp Techno 16 pp
bull KUNZ A WALTHER BA LOumlWEMARK L LEE Y-C (2016) Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan Mar Poll Bull 111 pp 126-135
bull LAGLBAUER BJL FRANCO-SANTOS RM ANDREU-CAZENAVE M BRUNELLI L PAPADATOU M PALATINUS A GREGO M DEPREZ T (2014) Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia Mar Poll Bull 89 pp 356-366
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
REFERENCESbull LEBRETON LCM GREER SD BORRERO JC (2012) Numerical modelling of floating debris in the worldrsquos oceans Mar Poll 64 pp 653-661
bull LIPPIATT S OPFER S ARTHUR C (2013) Marine Debris monitoring and Assessment ndash Recommendations for monitoring debris trends in the marine environment NOAA US Department of Commerce Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-46 88 pp
bull LOumlDER MGJ GERDTS G (2015) Methodology used for the detection and identification of microplastics ndash a critical appraisal 27 pp
bull MASSOS A (2015) The identification of microplastic fibres on North Devon Beaches University of Plymouth 73 pp
bull MASURA J BAKER J FOSTER G ARTHUR C (2015) Laboratory methods for the analysis of microplastics in the marine environment ndash Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-ORampR-48 39 pp
bull MATHALON A HILL P (2014) Microplastic fibers in the intertidal ecosystem surrounding Halifax Harbor Nova Scotia Mar Poll Bull 12 pp
bull MATUSIEWICZ H (2014) Wet digestion methods Politechnika Poznańska Department of Analytical Chemistry 60-965 Poznań Poland 36 pp
bull McKINLEY D (2014) An investigation on plastic pollution in New Haven Harbor Marine Biology Program ndash Department of Biology and Environmental Science 4 pp
bull MOORE CJ MOORE SL LEECASTER MK WEISBERG SB (2001) A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre 5 pp
bull PANTI C GIANNETTI M BAINI M RUBEGNI F MINUTOLI R FOSSI M-C (2015) Occurrence relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area Mediterranean Sea Environ Chem 9 pp
bull PEDROTTI M-L PETIT S ELINEAU A BRUZAUD S CREBASSA J-C DUMONTET B MARTIacute E GORSKY G COacuteZAR A (2016) Changes in the floating plastic pollution of the Mediterranean Sea in relation to the distance to land PLoS one 1158) e0161581 doi101371journalpone0161581 14 pp
bull PLASTICSEUROPE (2016) What is plastic Available at [wwwplasticseuropeorgwhat-is-plastichistoryaspx]
bull REBOLLEDO ELB VAN FRANEKER JA (2015) Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff diet dependent ingestion and entanglement ndash Preliminary results 7 pp
bull RUIZ-OREJOacuteN LF SARDAacute R RAMIS-PUJOL J (2016) Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea Mar Environ Research 120 pp 136-144
bull SADRI SS THOMPSON RC (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary Southwest England Mar Poll Bull 81 pp 55-60
bull SANTOS AMP (2015) Cruise report ndash Cruise 02030915 (BIOMETORE2) Vessel RV Noruega Project BIOMETORE-Biodiversity in seamounts The Madeira-Tore and Great Meteor (EEA Grants PT02_Aviso2_0001) Deliverable D12 19 pp
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
REFERENCESbull SETAumlLAuml O MAGNUSSON K LEHTINIEMI M NOREacuteN F (2016) Distribution and abundance of surface water microlitter in the Baltic Sea A comparison of two
sampling methods Mar Poll Bull 110 pp 177-183
bull STOLTE A (2014) The detection of microplastics in beach sediments ndash Extraction methods biases and results from samples along the German Baltic coast Universitaumlt Rostock 144 pp
bull SUARIA G AVIO CG MINEO A LATTIN GL MAGALDI MG BELMONTE G MOORE CJ REGOLI F ALIANI S (2016) The Mediterranean plastic soup synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters Scientific reports 10 pp
bull UNEP (2009) Marine litter A global challenge Nairobi UNEP 232 pp
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L VANREUSEL A MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments Environ Poll 182 pp 495-499
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L CLAESSENS M VANDEGEHUCHTE MB MEES J JANSSEN CR (2013) Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf Mar Poll Bull 73 pp 161-169
bull VAN CAUWENBERGHE L DEVRIESE L GALGANI F ROBBENS J JANSSEN CR (2015) Microplastics in sediments A review of techniques occurrence and effects Mar Environ Research pp 1-13
bull WESSEL CC LOCKRIDGE GR BATTISTE D CEBRIAN J (2016) Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments Insights into microplastics accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries Mar Poll Bull 6 pp
bull WILLIAM B ZIMMERMANN S (2014) Report on the Oceanographic Research conducted aboard the CCGS Louis S St-Laurent September 21 to October 17 2014 ndash IOS Cruise ID 2014-11 Joint Ocean Ice Study (JOIS) 2014 Cruise report Fisheries and Oceans Canada Institute of Ocean Sciences Sidney BC 94 pp
bull WRIGHT SL THOMPSON RC GALLOWAY TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms A review Environ Poll 178 pp 483-492
bull YAMASHITA R TANIMURA A (2007) Floating plastic in the Kuroshio Current area western North Pacific Ocean Mar Poll Bull 54 pp 485-488
bull YU X PENG J WANG J WANG K BAO S (2016) Occurrence of microplastics in the beach sand of the Chinese inner sea the Bohai Sea Environ Poll 214 pp 722-730
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
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bull wwwequipcoservicescomimagesproductsrentalsmodelswildco_standard_grab_sampler_largejpg
bull httpwoodsholeerusgsgovopenfileof2005-1001htmldocssamplersgrabsmgrabhtm
bull wwwcoastalwikiorgwikiFileHammon_grabjpg
bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
WEBSITESbull wwwncbinlmnihgovpubmed26752114
bull wwwrobinsonlibrarycomtechnologytechnologybiographygraphicsparkesjpg
bull httpsachurchforstarvingartistsfileswordpresscom201206save_the_worldpng
bull wwwpngallcomunited-kingdom-flag-png
bull wwwpngallcomgermany-flag-png
bull wwwveryiconcomiconsflagnot-patriotusa-flaghtml
bull wwwmrchaincomblogplastic-how
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountrybelgiumround_icon
bull wwwkerndedegeschichte-der-kunststoffe
bull wwwazquotescomauthor29126-Wallace_Carothers
bull wwwfreeflagiconscomcountryswitzerlandround_icon
bull httpartsscienceslamaredu_filesimagessoc-sw-cjsociologysocial-teampng
bull wwwmyuscomno
bull httpsadventrlpfileswordpresscom201202seminar_iconpng
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imagesfrench-flag-png-29331
bull wwwpelkmanslaborgpage_id=1964
bull wwwfreeiconspngcomfree-imageswindow-png-23861
bull httppngimgcomdownload2931
bull httptheglutenfreeassistantblogspotcommt200810casein-free-milk-and-butterhtml
bull httpwwwpolentaladeliziacomen
bull httpsfrwikipediaorgwikiFichierOil_Barrel_graphicpng
bull wwwiconfindercomicons559153aqua_drop_droplet_oil_petroleum_rain_water_icon
bull wwwplutoniummuffinscomwater-molecules-and-a-broken-tooth
bull wwwfostercompcomservicesdry-blendingdry-blending
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
bull wwwiconfindercomicons642438forecast_gust_gust_of_wind_summer_warm_wind_weather_windy_icon
bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountryspolararctichtm
bull wwwworldatlascomwebimagecountrysanhtm
bull httphalofanonwikiacomwikiFileEarth_Continentspng
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bull wwwenvcoglobalcomfilesMO-FS-GOFM-Ljpg
bull wwwdirectindustrycomprodessa-australiaproduct-33731-213262html
bull httppngimgcomdownload6614
bull httpclipartscobeaker-image
bull wwwindiantradebirdcomlaboratory-glasswarecn=MTM1OA==
bull httpsciencesphysiquescollegemozartover-blogcomarticle-la-filtration-d-une-eau-boueuse-88002019html
bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
WEBSITESbull wwwsunshineproductsintubsphp
bull wwwprimaplasticscomplastic-moulded-chairs-5html
bull httphenkeladhesivesnacomblogevolution-from-metal-to-plastic-and-composites
bull wwwsykefien-USResearch__DevelopmentSustainable_management_of_the_Baltic_Sea_and_freshwater_resourcesBaltic_Sea_ecosystem_wheel_presents_elev(35474)
bull httpf--finfop=22142
bull httpblogrtveesestrenosciencia
bull wwwoceanmediainstituteorgexplore-bermuda
bull wwweziloncommapseuropemalta-road-mapshtml
bull httppngimgcomimgnaturesun
bull httppngimgcomsearch
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bull wwwgif-maniaccomtheme-gyropharephp
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bull wwwresearchgatenetfigure261719490_fig1_Figure-1-The-commonly-used-samplers-for-deep-seawater-sampling-a-Niskin-sampler
bull wwwmarinebionetmarinescience01introtosamphtm
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
PHOTO CREDITSbull Mr Owen Attard
bull Mr Sergio Arenas
bull Mr Nicolas Cimiterra
bull Mr Peter Clarke
bull Mr Andy Murch
bull Wild Wonders of Europe
bull Mr Chris Gomersall
bull Mr Jean-Paul Ferrero
bull Mr John Cancalosi
bull Ms Lynn M Stone
bull Mr Richard Hermann
bull Mr amp Ms Sailer
bull Ms Lisa Steiner
bull Mr Peter Hodum
bull Mr Michael P OrsquoNeill
bull Mr Mark Conlin
bull Mr Charlie Phillips
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
Kristinaedwards15umedumtor Nash74hotmailfr
