Microplastics (<5mm) can easily enter into the aquatic food chain and accumulate along the trophic levels, ultimately reaching humans. It is urgent to understand their sources and behavior in the natural environment to minimize their negative impact.
Atmospheric deposition was investigated to determine whether it can be considered a relevant source of microplastics to the coastal waters. For this, atmospheric fallout and surface coastal waters have been collected in the Ria Formosa Natural Park (Southern Portugal) for two and one year, respectively. The particles were analyzed in silicon membranes by means of Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy coupled with microscopy (μFTIR) after removing, if necessary, other natural organic and inorganic components.
Microplastic fluxes in atmospheric deposition were significantly greater in winter than in summer, whereas no seasonal pattern was found in seawater. Rainfall, low temperatures and wind blowing from land favored deposition. The highest proportion of microplastics was found in the lowest analyzed size range (100−200 μm) in both environments. Polyhaloolefin was the most abundant polymer type in both environments, followed by polyvinylalcohol in atmospheric fallout and polyethylene in seawater, and then polyamide. Results suggest that atmospheric deposition is a source of microplastics in coastal waters, however, not the major one.
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