Bruffey Brenna R, Rodrigues Lisa J
Department of Geography and the Environment, Villanova University, 800 Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, PA 19085, USA.
Department of Geography and the Environment, Villanova University, 800 Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, PA 19085, USA.
Mar Pollut Bull. 2025 Feb;211:117371. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.117371. Epub 2024 Dec 6.
Tidal flats form behind mangrove forests and are critical coastal ecosystems influenced by ocean and land-based processes. To assess microplastics (MPs, <5 mm) distribution within tidal flats we studied four sites in southwest Puerto Rico with varying mangrove densities and anthropogenic influences. We characterized MPs from surface sediments along a transect at each tidal flat. On average 148.64 ± 138.87 MPs kg were collected with the majority (55.5 %) 0.3-1 mm in size. MPs abundance within transects was positively correlated to distance from mangroves at three sites. The most common polymers were polyethylene (48.4 %) and polypropylene (16.1 %). As expected, the roadside site had the highest abundance of MPs, but surprisingly, a remote island site had the second highest amount. Two other sites likely benefited from thicker mangrove cover and less human interference. While mangroves minimized MPs accumulation, improved waste management is also needed to reduce MPs delivered to these ecosystems.
