Microplastics in Water, Sediments and Benthic Macroinvertebrates of an Urban Wetland
Subject Areas : Biotechnological Journal of Environmental Microbiology
1 - Department of Marine Biology, Lahijan Branch, Lahijan, Iran
Keywords: Microplastics, Urban Wetland, Benthos, Polymer, Pollution,
Abstract :
Microplastics are an emerging pollutant for all ecosystems and organisms that have caused great concern from different perspectives. Urban wetlands are an important aquatic ecosystem with unique characteristics and numerous organisms that are severely threatened by microplastics. Sostan Wetland, Lahijan is a special urban wetland with multiple input sources and various organisms. The aim of this study was to determine the amounts of microplastics in its water, sediments and benthic macroinvertebrates. Six stations were selected and in summer 2025, sampling was carried out in them using standard methods and microplastics were separated, counted were examined in the laboratory. The results showed that the average number of microplastics in sediments was 273 pcs/kg, in water 146 pcs/L and in large benthic invertebrates 42% contaminated. Considering the amounts of microplastics in water, sediments and benthos of the wetland, it was determined that multiple sources of microplastic pollution have created the environment and food chain of these ecosystems and require specific management to improve the situation.
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