Occurrence, relative abundance and spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton NW of Sardinia in the Pelagos Sanctuary Protected Area, Mediterranean Sea

摘要: Environmental context Plastic materials are accumulating in the marine environment where they can now be found remotest areas of world's oceans. Microplastics (plastic particles ≤5mm), abundant surface waters, also neritic and pelagic waters Mediterranean protected areas. accumulate along food chains, having noxious effects on organisms at different trophic levels creating a serious threat to ecosystems. Abstract Floating plastic debris tends fragment into smaller pieces, termed microplastics, which may increase likelihood ingestion plastics by entering web. This study analyses amount spatial distribution microplastics zooplankton an area near Asinara National Park (NW Sardinia) overlapping Pelagos Sanctuary (Mediterranean Sea). Analysis showed 81% 27 samples analysed, with mean value 0.17±0.32 items m–3. From geographic information system processing data, appeared more (by factor four) than environment, size range same order as major zooplanktonic taxa determined area. These findings suggest potential risk mesozooplankton species preying plankton mistaking for food. Further functional toxicological studies therefore necessary assess hazard associated