Hydrographic Institute participates in a study on microplastics

The Marine Environment Chemistry and Pollution Division (QP) of the Hydrographic Institute currently participates in several studies of environmental monitoring and characterization of the marine environment, by determining a set of parameters considered polluting, where microplastics are inserted.

Under the monitoring program of marine environments of the Port of Sines (MAPSI 2021-2023), funded by the Administration of the Ports of Sines and the Algarve, and promoted by the University of Évora, sediment samplings were carried out in different locations to evaluate the abundance and composition of microplastics (dimension less than 5 mm). The results confirm the presence of microplastics in the samples taken, with the polypropylene polymer being the most abundant, followed by low density polyethylene and polyacrylonitrile. Regarding morphology, it is observed that the plastic fragments were found in greater numbers, followed by fibers and plastic films. In relation to the size of microplastics, those from 50 μm to 1 mm were found to be higher. If no such work is known in the sampled region, the results of this study can be used for comparison with those obtained in other regions of the country and the world and with results to be obtained in this monitoring programme.

QP is also involved in other R&D projects in the area of microplastics, including i-Plastic and PlasticTrace (www.i-plastic.net; www. inrim.it/en/research/projects/21grd07-plastictrace).