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Plastic Pollution in Paradise: Analyzing Plastic Litter on Malta’s Beaches and Assessing the Release of Potentially Toxic Elements

Authors :
Piotr Jachimowicz
Barbara Klik
Adriana Dorota Osińska
Source :
Toxics, Vol 12, Iss 8, p 568 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2024.

Abstract

This study investigates plastic litter on two beaches in Malta, Golden Bay and Rivera Beach, with a focus on plastic abundance, characteristics, sources, and the influence of human activity on pollution levels. Conducted in March 2023 during the low-tourist season, 13 sediment samples were collected from a depth of 5 cm using a systematic square sampling method. Plastic litter was quantified and sorted by size, shape, color, and polymer type, and concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) were measured (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, and Fe via ICP-OES). Golden Bay exhibited significantly higher plastic quantities (53.9 ± 4.3 n/m2) compared to Rivera Beach (29.7 ± 4.0 n/m2). Microplastics were dominant on both beaches, with Golden Bay showing a higher proportion (57.0%) than Rivera Beach (50.6%). The plastic litter predominantly consisted of PE (59.6–68.0%) and PP (29.6–38.8%). Golden Bay plastics had PTE concentrations up to 4.9 times higher than those in Rivera Beach, notably for Mn (309.0 μg/g vs. 63.1 μg/g). This research contributes valuable insights into the dynamics of plastic pollution in coastal environments, particularly in areas influenced by tourism.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
23056304
Volume :
12
Issue :
8
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Toxics
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.66828582f01747b9aa12a005cf35d2b6
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12080568