Article Dans Une Revue Euro-Mediterranean Journal for Environmental Integration Année : 2024

Assessing microplastic presence and distribution in sandy beaches: a case study of the Gulf of Tunis coastline

Résumé

Marine plastic pollution is a major concern due to its increasing occurrence in the environment. Microplastics (MPs) are one of the most significant solid waste pollutants in the marine environment, and they accumulate in sediments. Tunisian beaches are particularly vulnerable as they are known to be areas of accumulation and one of the main entry points for litter into the marine system. In this study, the spatial and seasonal abundance, littoral distribution, polymer type, size, and color of microplastics were investigated in sediment samples collected along the Gulf of Tunis. MPs were extracted, counted, and sorted by microscopy; the chemical composition was identified by FTIR-ATR spectroscopy. Seasonal variability was observed in particle distribution between the winter and summer campaigns. Total abundances ranged from 109 particles during the summer period to 531 particles/kg during the winter period, where fragments, filaments and fibers were the most frequent types of MPs. During both sampling campaigns, the beaches showed variation in the distribution of microplastics. The foreshore, which is exposed to wave movements, had low microplastic concentrations, while the upper beach and dunes accumulated high percentages of microplastics. Identification of microplastics by FTIR spectroscopy revealed that the most dominant polymer is polyethylene (PE), followed by polypropylene (PP), which are most used in water bottles and bags.

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Dates et versions

hal-05162897 , version 1 (15-07-2025)

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Abir Ouri, Mohamed Guesmi, Ibtissem Jlalia, Bruno Grassl, Houyem Abderrazak, et al.. Assessing microplastic presence and distribution in sandy beaches: a case study of the Gulf of Tunis coastline. Euro-Mediterranean Journal for Environmental Integration, 2024, 10 (1), pp.437-450. ⟨10.1007/s41207-024-00682-1⟩. ⟨hal-05162897⟩
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