Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging contaminants and present risks to human and environmental health. Microplastic levels were examined in sediment and surface water samples at stations along the Sebou Estuary and Atlantic Coast of Morocco. The microplastic abundance, distribution, and characteristics were characterized. The microplastics were separated into fragments, fibers, films, and granules. The results at all stations showed that the microplastic abundance in water samples ranged from 10 to 168 particles/m³, whereas in the sediment samples, the levels were from 10 to 300 particles/kg. Stations adjacent to Kenitra City showed significantly high levels of microplastics (p < 0.001) compared with the Atlantic Coast, likely due to population density and human activity. The majority of the detected microplastics was from 0.1 to 0.5 mm, followed by 0.5 to 1 mm. The predominant shape in water and sediments were fragments. The results for the type, size, and color of the microplastics suggest the Sebou Estuary is a hotspot on the Atlantic Coast. The results of this study may contribute to increased awareness and better implementation of solid waste management plans, especially at Kenitra City, to protect the biologically diverse ecosystem of the Moroccan Estuary and Atlantic Coast.

摘要

微塑料 (MPs) 是新兴污染物，对人类和环境健康构成风险。在摩洛哥塞布河口和大西洋沿岸的站点检测了沉积物和地表水样本中的微塑料水平。对微塑料的丰度、分布和特征进行了表征。微塑料被分成碎片、纤维、薄膜和颗粒。所有站点的结果表明，水样中的微塑料丰度为10~168个/m³，而沉积物样品中的微塑料丰度为10~300个/kg。与大西洋沿岸相比，肯尼特拉市附近的站点显示出显着高水平的微塑料（p < 0.001），这可能是由于人口密度和人类活动所致。大多数检测到的微塑料为 0.1 至 0.5 毫米，其次是 0.5 到 1 毫米。水和沉积物中的主要形状是碎片。微塑料的类型、大小和颜色的结果表明，塞布河口是大西洋沿岸的热点。这项研究的结果可能有助于提高认识和更好地实施固体废物管理计划，特别是在凯尼特拉市，以保护摩洛哥河口和大西洋沿岸的生物多样性生态系统。