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dc.contributor.authorWest-Clarke, Z
dc.contributor.authorTurner, A
dc.date.accessioned2024-01-19T12:46:51Z
dc.date.issued2024-02-20
dc.identifier.issn0048-9697
dc.identifier.issn1879-1026
dc.identifier.other169257
dc.identifier.urihttps://pearl.plymouth.ac.uk/handle/10026.1/21923
dc.description.abstract

Surface and subsurface sediment samples (n = 16) from the highly urbanised inner Thames Estuary (UK) have been physically and chemically characterised and analysed for anthropogenic microdebris. Sediments were gravelly sands throughout and were heavily contaminated by lead (Pb, up to 12,500 mg kg−1) and zinc (Zn, up to 9500 mg kg−1). Microfibres of mm-dimensions and retroreflective glass microbeads (median diameter = 188 μm) used in road markings were the most abundant types of microdebris present, and concentrations (as numbers, N) on a dry weight basis were spatially heterogeneous (ranging from about 4000 to 60,000 N kg−1 and 100 to 28,000 N kg−1, respectively). Nevertheless, concentrations of the two types of particle were significantly correlated and both displayed an inverse, non-linear relationship with sediment grain size. Road marking paint fragments of different colours were detected in most cases (n = 13) but quantification was difficult because of analytical constraints related to size, shape, colour, fragmentation and encrustation. Concentrations of up to about 500 mg kg−1 Pb were determined in isolated paint fragments but road paint particles are unlikely to make a significant contribution to Pb pollution in Thames Estuary sediments. Overall, our observations suggest that stormwater runoff is a significant source of multiple types of anthropogenic microdebris in urban estuaries, with additional, direct atmospheric deposition contributing to microfibre accumulation. More generally, it is recommended that studies of microplastics consider additional debris and sediment characteristics for a better understanding of their sources and transport.

dc.format.extent169257-169257
dc.format.mediumPrint-Electronic
dc.languageen
dc.publisherElsevier BV
dc.subjectPollution
dc.subjectUrban
dc.subjectMicroplastics
dc.subjectLead
dc.subjectStormwater
dc.subjectMicrodebris
dc.titleContamination of Thames Estuary sediments by retroreflective glass microbeads, road marking paint fragments and anthropogenic microfibres
dc.typejournal-article
dc.typeArticle
plymouth.author-urlhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/38128660
plymouth.volume912
plymouth.publisher-urlhttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169257
plymouth.publication-statusPublished
plymouth.journalScience of The Total Environment
dc.identifier.doi10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169257
plymouth.organisational-group|Plymouth
plymouth.organisational-group|Plymouth|Research Groups
plymouth.organisational-group|Plymouth|Faculty of Science and Engineering
plymouth.organisational-group|Plymouth|Faculty of Science and Engineering|School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences
plymouth.organisational-group|Plymouth|Research Groups|Marine Institute
plymouth.organisational-group|Plymouth|REF 2021 Researchers by UoA
plymouth.organisational-group|Plymouth|Users by role
plymouth.organisational-group|Plymouth|Users by role|Academics
plymouth.organisational-group|Plymouth|Research Groups|BEACh
plymouth.organisational-group|Plymouth|REF 2021 Researchers by UoA|UoA07 Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences
plymouth.organisational-group|Plymouth|REF 2028 Researchers by UoA
plymouth.organisational-group|Plymouth|REF 2028 Researchers by UoA|UoA07 Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences
dc.publisher.placeNetherlands
dcterms.dateAccepted2023-12-07
dc.date.updated2024-01-19T12:46:50Z
dc.rights.embargodate2024-1-20
dc.identifier.eissn1879-1026
rioxxterms.versionofrecord10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169257


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