MICROPLASTICS IN THE DREDGED SOIL

Abstract

 Most of the microplastics (MPs) that flow into the sea are thought to be deposited on the seafloor, and their existence has been reported in seafloor sediments in various sea areas. MP is also included in dredged soil generated in large quantities in port development projects. In this study, we developed a standard method for monitoring MPs in marine sediments and applied the method to dredged soil collected from different ports. This report is the first to compare the distribution density, size composition and polymer composition of MPs covering various ports in Japan.