Flakes of paint could be one of the most abundant type of microplastic particles in the ocean, new research has suggested.
Through a range of surveys conducted across the North Atlantic Ocean, scientists estimated that each cubic metre of seawater contained an average of 0.01 paint flakes.
This, they say, suggests the material is second only in terms of recorded abundance to microplastic fibres, which have an estimated concentration of about 0.16 particles per m3.
A detailed chemical analysis of some of the flakes, conducted on some of the particles gathered during the surveys, also revealed high quantities of copper, lead, iron and other elements.
This is because they are designed to have antifouling or anti-corrosive properties, with the researchers saying it could pose an additional environmental threat to both the ocean and many species living within it when they ingest the particles.
The study, published in Science of the Total Environment, was carried out by scientists from the University of Plymouth and the Marine Biological Association (MBA).
Over the past two decades, the organisations have collaborated on a number of ocean plastics projects, and in 2019 demonstrated there had been a significant increase in open-ocean plastics since the late 1950s.
Dr Andrew Turner, Associate Professor (Reader) in Environmental Sciences at the University of Plymouth, is the current study's lead author. He said:
"Paint particles have often been an overlooked component of marine microplastics but this study shows that they are relatively abundant in the ocean. The presence of toxic metals like lead and copper pose additional risks to wildlife."
- The full study - Turner et al: Occurrence and chemical characteristics of microplastic paint flakes in the North Atlantic Ocean - is published in Science of The Total Environment, DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150375.
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We are ranked the number one university globally for the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal number 14: life below water.
The award recognises the quality of our marine research and teaching as well as our efforts to reduce the impact of campus activities on the marine environment. The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings are the only global performance tables that assess universities against the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2021: life below water
Marine Research Plymouth
The University of Plymouth, the Marine Biological Association and Plymouth Marine Laboratory have joined forces to launch Marine Research Plymouth.
Collectively hosting the largest number of marine scientists in any UK city - and the greatest number of undergraduate and postgraduate marine students anywhere in the country - the partnership aims to cement the city's place as the UK's go-to location for marine and ocean science.
Marine Research Plymouth will encourage joint investment in research appointments and support the sharing of capabilities, equipment and facilities. It will also ensure Plymouth is even better-placed to attract further funding for initiatives that can advance knowledge and understanding of the oceans.
