Microplastics in Harbour Seawaters: A Case Study in the Port of Gdynia, Baltic Sea

An important source of microplastics (MPs) in the Baltic Sea waters is plastic waste, which fragmented natural environment. The pilot research on identification surface Port Gdynia presented. In this paper, particle sizes 0.3–5 mm harbour seawaters were investigated. Microplastics collected from five basins using an unmanned mobile unit, HydroDron-1. Sampling port water was conducted over four seasons. particles separated by chemical oxidation and flotation NaCl solution (density 1.2 g/cm3). Polymer carried out visual microscopic observations, as well Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy. Based tows Gdynia, total, concentration identified ranged 0.082 mg/m3 to 0.524 mg/m3, depending investigated basin. Four groups microplastic shapes (fragments, films, fibres spheres) detected all basins. Fragments prevalent when categorised shape, whereas colour, transparent, white black dominant. predominant type polymers polyolefins (PE, PP, PS) their derivatives.