Department of Functional Biology, University of Oviedo, 33006, Oviedo, Spain.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2021 Jun;28(24):30722-30731. doi: 10.1007/s11356-021-12821-0. Epub 2021 Feb 16.
Plastic pollution is a major environmental issue that affects coasts all around the world. Many studies point out the importance of a better management of this type of pollution. In this pioneering study, we have analyzed the distribution of macro-, meso-, and microplastics along the coast of Asturias (southwest Bay of Biscay, Spain). Significant correlation analysis suggests that mesoplastics are produced in situ by fragmentation of macroplastics. Differences between groups of beaches revealed the importance of maritime ports and fishing activities as sources of macroplastics and likely of microplastics as well. Another source of microplastics could be atmospheric deposition, especially for fibers. Multiple regression model allowed to confirm the utility of beach services like cleaning and trash bins to control macroplastics. These results emphasize the need of an integral treatment of marine plastic pollution involving fishers and maritime ports, as well as the importance of providing beach services.
塑料污染是一个全球性的环境问题，影响着世界各地的海岸。许多研究都指出了更好地管理这种污染的重要性。在这项开创性的研究中，我们分析了西班牙比斯开湾西南部的阿斯图里亚斯海岸沿线的大、中、微塑料的分布情况。显著的相关分析表明，中塑料是由大塑料的碎片形成的。不同海滩组之间的差异表明，海港和渔业活动是大塑料和微塑料的重要来源。微塑料的另一个来源可能是大气沉积，特别是纤维。多元回归模型证实了海滩清洁和垃圾桶等服务对控制大塑料的有用性。这些结果强调了需要综合处理海洋塑料污染，包括渔民和海港，以及提供海滩服务的重要性。
