Environmental Technologies, Management and Biogeochemistry Research Group, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain.
Atlantic International Research Centre, Azores, Portugal.
PLoS One. 2020 May 8;15(5):e0232744. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232744. eCollection 2020.
Broad scale sampling methods for microplastic monitoring in the open ocean waters remain a challenge in oceanography. A large number of samples is required to understand the distribution, abundance and fate of microplastic particles in the environment. Despite more than a decade of widespread study, there is currently no established time series of microplastic measurements and the research community is yet to establish a standardised set of methods that will allow data to be collected in a quick, affordable and interoperable way. We present a sampling technique involving the connection of a custom-built microplastic sampling device to the pump-underway ship intake system of a research vessel (RV) as an unexploited opportunity for oceanic monitoring needs concerning microplastic abundance and distribution. The method is cost effective, highly versatile and accurate, and is able to sample particles down to 50μm from opportunity platforms, thus contributing to an emerging area of study, and in particular helping to increase the monitoring reporting of data, and thereby serving as a valuable aid for the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). Sampling was performed during three consecutive oceanographic cruises in the subtropical NE Atlantic over a year, sampling subsurface waters (4 m depth) during navigation and while on coastal and oceanic stations. Microplastic particles were found in all stations and transects sampled. Fibres (64.42%) were predominant over fragments (35.58%), with the concentration values falling within the ranges of data reported for other areas of the Atlantic.
在开阔海域进行大规模的微塑料监测采样方法仍然是海洋学中的一个挑战。需要大量的样本才能了解环境中微塑料颗粒的分布、丰度和命运。尽管已经进行了十多年的广泛研究，但目前还没有建立微塑料测量的既定时间序列，而且研究界尚未建立一套标准化的方法，这些方法将允许以快速、经济实惠和可互操作的方式收集数据。我们提出了一种采样技术，即将定制的微塑料采样装置连接到研究船（RV）的泵内吸入口系统，这是满足海洋中微塑料丰度和分布监测需求的一个未被充分利用的机会。该方法具有成本效益、高度通用和准确的特点，并且能够从机会平台上采集到 50μm 以下的颗粒，从而为一个新兴的研究领域做出了贡献，特别是有助于增加数据监测报告，从而为实施海洋战略框架指令（MSFD）提供有价值的帮助。在一年中的三次连续海洋学考察中，在亚热带东北大西洋进行了采样，在航行中和在沿海和海洋站位上采集了表层以下的水（4 米深）。在所采样的所有站位和横截线上都发现了微塑料颗粒。纤维（64.42%）比碎片（35.58%）更为常见，浓度值落在大西洋其他地区报告的数据范围内。
