Abandoned Covid-19 personal protective equipment along the Bushehr shores, the Persian Gulf: An emerging source of secondary microplastics in coastlines

Dobaradaran, S and Akhbarizadeh, R and Nabipour, I and Tangestani, M and Abedi, D and Javanfekr, F and Jeddi, F and Zendehboodi, A (2021) Abandoned Covid-19 personal protective equipment along the Bushehr shores, the Persian Gulf: An emerging source of secondary microplastics in coastlines. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 168. ISSN 0025326X

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Abstract

During the Covid-19 pandemic, personal protection equipment (PPE) was widely used to control the virus further spared. In this study, the presence of PPE wastes along the coastline of Bushehr port, the Persian Gulf from nine stations was investigated (4 times during 40 days), and their potential for microplastics (MPs) creation was preliminarily assessed. In total, more than 2380 PPE were collected in the study area. No significant differences were found between various beaches regarding their types and common activities. In addition, the estimated disposal rate of PPE per day and year is 350 and 127,750 items, respectively. More than 10% of the collected PPE from Bushehr's coastal areas on each sampling day were damaged. Based on the microscopic analysis, the left surgical masks and torn plastic gloves in the coastal regions are emerging sources of secondary microfibers and MP particles (mostly fragments and films) in the marine environments, respectively.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	T Technology > TD Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering
Divisions:	Faculty of Engineering, Science and Mathematics > School of Civil Engineering and the Environment
Depositing User:	خدیجه شبانکاره
Date Deposited:	28 Jun 2021 05:51
Last Modified:	28 Jun 2021 05:51
URI:	http://eprints.bpums.ac.ir/id/eprint/9285

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