Mediterranean invaded by microplastic – Midi Libre

P ollution “Findings edifying” an expedition seven months, the food chain, in particular, is affected. There is danger!

The exploration schooner Tara was back yesterday in Lorient, after a seven-month tour in the Mediterranean to track microplastic. It resulted in “edifying” findings on the extent of pollution, not only near the towns (including early November Palavas and Perpignan), but also at sea. “The initial findings of the expedition are edifying” assured Gaby Gorsky, scientific director of the expedition, which started in May.

“Every statement of net it was collected samples of plastic or microplastic, and throughout the Mediterranean” , said Stéphane Bruzaud of the University of South Brittany. He noted higher concentrations in the waters of some countries, as well as near major cities, ports and tourist areas.

But “significant concentrations” were also observed on the high seas “although one would think that there are more dispersed microplastic” added Prof. Bruzaud, one of the scientists involved in this mission, the first of such scope in the Mediterranean.

These microplastic (less than 5 mm) result from a process of degradation or erosion over long periods

“The Mediterranean experiences on average the largest plastic densities world, with 250 billion microplastic “said Francois Galgani, of the French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (Ifremer). The Mediterranean is small, almost closed and generates strong tourist activities. “All the conditions are met for there to be an extremely high degree of pollution,” according to Professor Bruzaud.

“Densities of the most important plastics in the world” François Galgani, Ifremer

Great biodiversity reserve (8% of species), the sea is less than 1% of the ocean surface but undergoes 90% of the land came pollution. During the expedition – the 10th for Tara since 2003 – which involved 14 research laboratories (French, Italian, German, American …), 2300 samples were collected at 350 hauls, off , near the coast, river mouths and ports.

The chemical composition of the collected plastic will be considered as the interaction between zooplankton base of the marine food chain, and plastic. “There has already microplastic samples that have entered the food chain with effects on human health today which are still unknown,” said Stéphane Bruzaud, whose lab will analyze and identify (PVC, polystyrene, polyethylene .. .) recovered microplastic to propose alternatives.