Integrated approach for the assessment of microplastics pollution and its impacts in under-explored areas of the southern Italy (Central Mediterranean Sea)

Plastics are considered ubiquitous pollutants even in the most remote areas of the world. The Mediterranean Sea has been considered as one of the most polluted areas due to its geomorphological characteristics with important ecological and biological implications for ecosystems health and biodiversity. In particular, the presence of particles smaller than 5 mm, microplastics (MPs), is of particular concern as, due to their small size, they are considered particularly dangerous with several possible biological implications. In this regard, several studies have been carried out on the distribution of MPs debris and its occurrence in organisms inhabiting marine ecosystems. Further researches in Mediterranean basin are needed because some areas are still under-explored, including the MPAs, and because there is still a need to ensure comparability of assessment approaches and methods within Mediterranean regions. In this context, this research aims to fill the gaps on MPs pollution and its impacts in under-explored Mediterranean areas including sensitive and ecologically important areas such as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). MPs pollution in the identified areas was assessed using an integrated approach based on the measurement of MPs load both in marine organisms as well as in the marine environment. Furthermore, this study provides information on the potential role of MPs as vectors of pathogens and human consumption of MP-contaminated commercial species. The results of this research provide new information and standardized data on MPs pollution at a local and regional scale of the Mediterranean basin.