Microplastics at the ocean-atmosphere interface in Mexican coastal areas of two major oceans

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Marine Biology
• Chemical Analysis

Background:

• Global plastic production leads to widespread microplastic (MP) contamination.
• Urban and coastal environments are significantly impacted by microplastic pollution.
• Understanding MP distribution in marine and atmospheric compartments is crucial for risk assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify and categorize microplastics (MP) in air and seawater samples from Veracruz and Manzanillo, Mexico.
• To identify polymer types and particle characteristics of MP in two major Mexican ports.
• To investigate the potential transfer of MP from ocean to atmosphere.

Main Methods:

• Micro-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (micro-FTIR) was used for polymer identification.
• Air and seawater samples were collected from Veracruz and Manzanillo.
• Microplastic and artificial non-plastic particle (ANPP) concentrations, types, and sizes were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Polyester (PES) was the most prevalent polymer, followed by acrylic polymers (ACR) and polyethylene (PE).
• Airborne MP concentrations varied by time of day and location, with higher levels in Veracruz.
• Marine MP concentrations were higher near the coast, and fibers constituted over 70% of detected MP.

Conclusions:

• Microplastic pollution is significant in Mexican ports, with fibers being the dominant form.
• Ocean-atmosphere interactions facilitate the transfer of microplastics.
• Baseline data are essential for developing management strategies for Mexican coastal regions.