Neustonic microplastic pollution in the Persian Gulf

Currently, microplastics are a major challenge threatening marine environment. Given little information on their prevalence in the Persian Gulf, the present study as the first comprehensive study was conducted to evaluate microplastics abundance in surface waters. Neustonic samples were collected from 15 stations along the Persian Gulf. Visually separated microplastics were categorized according to their size, shape, and color. ATR-FTIR method was used to identify the composition of polymers. Microplastics were found in all sampling stations and their density varied from 1.5 × 10³ to 4.6 × 10⁴ particle.km^-2 with a mean density of 1.8 × 10⁴ particle.km^-2. Fibers were the most dominant shape of microplastics (44.1%). Approximately 76% of the analyzed microplastics were polyethylene and polypropylene and the predominant colors of the microplastics were white and blue. Results of the study confirmed prevalence of microplastics in the Persian Gulf, and findings suggested a pressing need to investigate their effects on marine life and human health.