Environments, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 11(11), P. 238 - 238
Published: Oct. 29, 2024
In this study, a systematic review of the scientific literature was carried out to summarize emerging evidence on microplastic pollution in natural caves. After screening 655 papers topic from combined search Web Knowledge and Scopus databases, we found only 14 studies reporting quantitative data microplastics total 27 Most assessments focused water sediment, with very limited investigations concerning cave biota. Overall, most common types particles caves were small (<1 mm) fibers (~70–90% items), transparent or light-colored, mostly made polyethylene terephthalate. Anthropogenic cellulosic materials, however, represented non-negligible portion (i.e., ~20–30%). Microplastic concentrations varied between 0.017 911 items/L for 7.9 4777 items/kg thus falling within levels other terrestrial, freshwater, marine environments. Levels appear largely variable among caves, stressing need extend geographic environmental ranges assessments, which are currently concentrated Italian land, few case regions world Despite their putative isolation, have high vulnerability contamination, requiring much more research effort understand potential risk that plastics pose these fragile ecosystems.
Language: Английский