A master thesis from Aalborg University
Spatial distribution of microplastics in the Gulf of Panama
Author(s)
Term
4. Term
Publication year
2024
Submitted on
2024-06-02
Pages
79 pages
Abstract
The microplastic (MP) pollution has been understudied both in terms of geographical locations around the globe and the size of microplastics studied. To fill these gaps in research, transect and stationary samples were taken in the Gulf of Panama in August of 2023, covering MP sizes of 10-300 µm. In addition, a watershed analysis in GIS was conducted to estimate MP loads to the gulf and their location. Particle tracking based on sea surface currents was simulated and compared to measured data. The sampled MP concentrations varied from 18-817 particles/m3 or 1,359.11-85,821.78 ng/m3. A sampling location’s proximity to the pollution source had little effect on the sampled MP concentration. The sampled MP concentrations were mostly dependent on the sampling location’s proximity to the center of the surface current. The highest MP content was found in samples taken in the western part of the gulf, as they were closest to the center of the sea current and received their MP load from Panama City. The majority of sampled MPs were polyester. The next most common polymer type was epoxy resin, which is a sign of the high amount of marine traffic occurring in the gulf. The turbelence and vertical mixing caused by marine traffic was not reflected in the sampled MP concentrations, as no difference was found between samples taken within the main traffic route and outside of it. Lastly, it appears that PE accumulates within the Gulf of Panama in the same manner as it does in gyres.
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