engleski

Marine plastic litter, trace metals and bacteria: seasonal and spatial distribution on two Adriatic islands

Despite awareness of the harmful effects of plastics on the environment and human health, global plastic production continues to rise, leading to increased ocean contamination and harm to marine life. Marine plastic litter (MPL) can serve as transport vector for marine pollutants, including trace metals (TM) with potential toxicity and pathogenic bacteria [1]. The Adriatic Sea is a valuable subject for research due to its semi-enclosed nature and high levels of plastic litter pollution caused by winds and ocean currents. MPL and sediment samples were collected for analysis before and after the summer season at three locations including Sakarun beach on the Dugi Otok Island and two beaches, Uska and Zace on the Lastovo Island. Polymer types were identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The levels of TM (Zn, Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni, Co) and bacteria were examined both on MPL and in sediment. Voltammetry was used to analyze the TM amounts, while a microbial assay was performed using Marine and TCBS agar. The bacteria were identified using MALDI TOF MS. All analyzed sediment are bioclastic carbonate sands, particularly on the Sakarun beach. The dominance of polypropylene polymer was observed across all locations. Cadmium was the only metal among those analyzed on MPL that displayed varying concentrations with season and location. Bacterial communities on the MPL surface differed according to season and location, with Bacillus spp. represented in the postseason. The preseason sediment samples were characterized by Vibrio alginolyticus, V. pomeroy and V. gigantis, and posteason with Bacillus spp., V. harveyi and V. chagasii. Sediments from Sakarun beach contained Bacillus spp., V. harveyi and V. gigantis, while Lastovo coves were determined by V. pomeroy and V. harveyi.

marine plastic litter ; Adriatic Sea ; trace metals ; bacteria

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