RT journal article
T1 Vertical Distribution and Composition of Plastics in Coastal Areas of the Gulf of Cádiz: Insights into Transport Dynamics
A1 Quintana Sepúlveda, Rocío
A1 Manzano Medina, Sandra
A1 Pérez López, Lucía
A1 Oyón Sanz, Amets
A1 González-Fernández, Daniel
A1 González Gordillo, Juan Ignacio
A1 Martí Morales, Elisa
A1 Echevarría Navas, Fidel María
A1 Morales Caselles, María del Carmen
A2 Biología
K1 microplastic
K1 plastic
K1 vertical distribution
K1 compartments
K1 coastal areas
AB Plastic distribution in the surface water of the marine environment has been well-documented over the years. However, vertical distribution of plastic within the water column remains poorly understood due to a lack of in situ data. This study investigates the vertical distribution of plastic particles in coastal areas of the Gulf of Cádiz, examining the surface (0−0.2 m), subsurface (0.2−1.2 m), water column (1.2−100 m), and sediment layers. Using a high vertical resolution sampling, we analyzed plastic concentration patterns across different environmental compartments, as well as plastic particle characteristics. Our results show the highest plastic concentrations in the sediments (97.9%). Concentrations along the water column decrease exponentially with depth, retaining theparticles in the mixed layer just before reaching the pycnocline.Fragment-type microplastics dominate in all compartments, while film-type and line are most prevalent below the sea surface (>0.2 m). The sediment contains the densest polymers and the smallest particle sizes, likely due to density-driven sedimentation and fragmentation processes. These findings highlight the role of vertical transport in the distribution and potential accumulation of plastics across compartments, which is crucial for understanding their fate and long-term environmental impacts.
PB ACS Publications
SN 1520-5851
YR 2025
FD 2025
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10498/38477
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10498/38477
LA eng
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Cádiz
RD 15-nov-2026