Plastitar in the Mediterranean Sea: New records and the first geochemical characterization of these novel formations

Saliu, F, Compa, M, Becchi, A, Lasagni, M, Collina, E, Liconti, A, Suma, E, Deudero, S, Grech, D and Suaria, G 2023 Plastitar in the Mediterranean Sea: New records and the first geochemical characterization of these novel formations. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 196. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115583

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Abstract/Summary

A new geological formation consisting of plastic debris admixed to petroleum oil residue, termed “plastitar”, has been recently described in the Canary Islands. Here, we report its widespread occurrence across the Mediterranean coast and new insights into its biogeochemical composition. Specifically, we found marked differences in the diagenetic stable indicator profiles, suggesting a heterogeneous seeps provenance. Moreover, the 801 plastic particles found in the 1372 g of tar surveyed, with a maximum concentration of 2.0 items/g, showed interesting patterns in the tar mat, with nurdles predominantly layered in the external of the tar mat and lines in the inner core. Overall, the collected observation suggests that tar entraps plastics through a stepwise process and is a sink for them.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Additional Keywords:	microplastics, plastitar, marine pollution, plasticrust, plastiglomerates, Mediterranean Sea
Subjects:	Chemistry Marine Sciences Pollution
Divisions:	Marine Biological Association of the UK > Ocean Biology Marine Biological Association of the UK > Other (MBA)
Depositing User:	Ms Kristina Hixon
Date made live:	24 Nov 2023 15:01
Last Modified:	09 Feb 2024 16:56
URI:	https://plymsea.ac.uk/id/eprint/10058

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