ORCID
- Andrew Turner: 0000-0003-0505-4561
Abstract
Non-fibrous microplastics sampled by the Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) Survey throughout the North Atlantic Ocean during 2018 have been recorded and a selection (n = 17, or 16.7%) physically and chemically characterised. The average abundance of non-fibrous particles captured by the plankton silks and detectable by microscopy was estimated to be around 0.01 m-3, with the highest concentrations evident in shelf seas of northwest Europe. Amongst the samples analysed, median size was 180 μm and, based on visible properties (e.g., brittleness, layering) and infra-red spectra, all but one were identified as flakes of paint. Semi-quantitative analysis by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry with a collimated beam revealed that six flakes from European shelf seas were Cu-based antifouling formulations (without evidence of organo-Sn compounds), and five with a broader geographical distribution were Pb-based formulations of likely marine origin. Other elements regularly detected included Cr, Fe, Ti and Zn that were present in pigments or as contaminants from the underlying substrate. After fibres, paint flakes appear to be the most abundant type of microplastic in the oceans that, because of the abundance and mobility of metallic additives, deserve closer scientific attention.
DOI Link
Publication Date
2022-02-01
Publication Title
Science of the Total Environment
Volume
806
Issue
Part 1
ISSN
0048-9697
Acceptance Date
2021-09-12
Deposit Date
2021-10-21
Embargo Period
2022-09-16
Funding
The CPR analysts at the Continuous Plankton Recorder Survey are thanked for providing the microplastics for the study. Funding that supports the CPR data collected has come from: the UK Natural Environment Research Council, Grant/Award Numbers NE/R002738/1 and NE/M007855/1; EMFF Climate Linked Atlantic Sector Science, Grant/Award Numbers NE/R015953/1, DEFRA UK ME-5308 and ME-414135; NSF USA OCE-1657887; DFO CA F5955-150026/001/HAL; NERC UK NC-R8/H12/100; Horizon 2020; 862428 Atlantic Mission
Keywords
energy-dispersive XRF, Paint flakes, microplastics, pigments, Atlantic Ocean, metals
Recommended Citation
Turner, A., Ostle, C., & Wootton, M. (2022) 'Occurrence and chemical characteristics of microplastic paint flakes in the North Atlantic Ocean', Science of the Total Environment, 806(Part 1). Available at: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150375
