20.500.12556/RUL-169390 Differences in distribution and characteristics of microplastics in sediments of the south-eastern part of the Gulf of Trieste Introduction: The Gulf of Trieste is prone to the accumulation of various pollutants and microplastics due to its geomorphological and hydrological characteristics. However, the distribution and sources of microplastics in this semi-enclosed area are poorly studied. The aim of our study was to determine the distribution and chemical composition of MP particles in the sediments of the Gulf of Trieste. Methods: In this study, we collected 24 surface sediment samples using a Van Veen grab. Microplastics were extracted by density separation using NaCl. The size, shape, and color of the extracted microplastics were determined using an optical microscope, and the composition of the polymers was determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Results and discussion: The highest concentrations of up to 125 microplastic particles per 100 g dry sediment were found in coastal areas. Concentrations in the open sea were much lower, with an average of 3 particles per 100 g of sediment. Most of the microplastic was fibrous, made of polypropylene, 100–300 µm in size, and blue. This is the first study showing that microplastics are present in the sediments of the south-eastern part of the Gulf of Trieste. The findings suggest that microplastics exhibit a tendency to be retained within the sediment, leading to their accumulation primarily in a narrow coastal area rather than dispersing offshore. Our results will contribute to a better knowledge of the distribution and possible sources of plastics and microplastics in the Gulf of Trieste and even beyond in similar semi-enclosed marine areas. infrared spectroscopy microplastics sediments Gulf of Trieste density separation polypropylene accumulation of pollutants marine biology contamination infrardeča spektroskopija mikroplastika usedline Tržaški zaliv ločevanje po gostoti polipropilen kopičenje onesnaževal morska biologija anorganski onesnaževalci morski sedimenti Jadransko morje true false true Angleški jezik Slovenski jezik Članek v reviji 2025-05-27 11:03:33 2025-05-27 11:03:40 2025-05-28 04:11:59 0000-00-00 00:00:00 2024 0 0 14 str. Vol. 11, art. 1436565 Oct. 2024 0000-00-00 Zaloznikova Objavljeno apc 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 0000-00-00 504.5 2296-7745 10.3389/fmars.2024.1436565 212613635 fmars-11-1436565.pdf fmars-11-1436565.pdf 1 605B5AD4840117FCA756AE30800CA36A 3d652825b7dfd299ae5faf91dd94e68195661a8a3e2f7c6d295e63551297b465 89c8ca9b-3ad8-11f0-b232-0050569b8976 https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=210707 https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2024.1436565/full 0 845a4ae5-3ad8-11f0-b232-0050569b8976 https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/Dokument.php?lang=slv&id=210706 Fakulteta za kemijo in kemijsko tehnologijo Fakulteta za pomorstvo in promet 0 0 0