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Seabed microplastics in the European continental shelf : unravelling physical and biological transport pathways and reciprocal fauna–polymer relationships

Gabriella Pantò (UGent) , Ann Vanreusel (UGent) , Maaike Vercauteren (UGent) , Jana Asselman (UGent) and Carl Van Colen (UGent)
(2025) ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION. 365.
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Abstract
Marine sediments are recognized as major sinks for microplastics, including remote areas which were previously considered "plastic-free". The understanding of microplastic dynamics in marine sediments is however limited due to the numerous pelagic and benthic pathways involved, and how these are influenced by physicochemical interactions with the particles. European continental shelves border densely populated areas and face a high risk of microplastic contamination. In this study we quantified microplastics in soft-sediments of European coastal seas and characterized their polymer composition separating surface sediments from deeper layers. We then analyzed the influence of water column and sediment properties on spatial variability of seabed microplastics and investigated the relationship with macrofauna communities. A higher proportion of negatively buoyant polymers in surface sediments (0-1 cm) across stations was explained by seawater salinity and sediment microalgal detritus, highlighting the role of riverine input and possibly the formation of hetero-aggregates in defining polymer deposition. Additionally, we found that seawater temperature influenced polymer composition in deeper sediment layers (0-3 cm), likely together with biological activities performed by macrobenthos such as ingestion and burial. Finally, we demonstrate that seabed microplastics contribute to the spatial variability in macrobenthos, highlighting that marine ecosystem functioning effects of microplastic pollution are likely mediated via the benthos.
Keywords
MACROFAUNA COMMUNITIES, MARINE, WATER, MACROBENTHOS, SEDIMENTS, PATTERNS, DENSITY

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MLA
Pantò, Gabriella, et al. “Seabed Microplastics in the European Continental Shelf : Unravelling Physical and Biological Transport Pathways and Reciprocal Fauna–Polymer Relationships.” ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION, vol. 365, 2025, doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2024.125392.
APA
Pantò, G., Vanreusel, A., Vercauteren, M., Asselman, J., & Van Colen, C. (2025). Seabed microplastics in the European continental shelf : unravelling physical and biological transport pathways and reciprocal fauna–polymer relationships. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION, 365. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2024.125392
Chicago author-date
Pantò, Gabriella, Ann Vanreusel, Maaike Vercauteren, Jana Asselman, and Carl Van Colen. 2025. “Seabed Microplastics in the European Continental Shelf : Unravelling Physical and Biological Transport Pathways and Reciprocal Fauna–Polymer Relationships.” ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION 365. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2024.125392.
Chicago author-date (all authors)
Pantò, Gabriella, Ann Vanreusel, Maaike Vercauteren, Jana Asselman, and Carl Van Colen. 2025. “Seabed Microplastics in the European Continental Shelf : Unravelling Physical and Biological Transport Pathways and Reciprocal Fauna–Polymer Relationships.” ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION 365. doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2024.125392.
Vancouver
1.
Pantò G, Vanreusel A, Vercauteren M, Asselman J, Van Colen C. Seabed microplastics in the European continental shelf : unravelling physical and biological transport pathways and reciprocal fauna–polymer relationships. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION. 2025;365.
IEEE
[1]
G. Pantò, A. Vanreusel, M. Vercauteren, J. Asselman, and C. Van Colen, “Seabed microplastics in the European continental shelf : unravelling physical and biological transport pathways and reciprocal fauna–polymer relationships,” ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION, vol. 365, 2025.
@article{01JHJ0BWH6JK4AKQVECTR7278J,
  abstract     = {{Marine sediments are recognized as major sinks for microplastics, including remote areas which were previously considered "plastic-free". The understanding of microplastic dynamics in marine sediments is however limited due to the numerous pelagic and benthic pathways involved, and how these are influenced by physicochemical interactions with the particles. European continental shelves border densely populated areas and face a high risk of microplastic contamination. In this study we quantified microplastics in soft-sediments of European coastal seas and characterized their polymer composition separating surface sediments from deeper layers. We then analyzed the influence of water column and sediment properties on spatial variability of seabed microplastics and investigated the relationship with macrofauna communities. A higher proportion of negatively buoyant polymers in surface sediments (0-1 cm) across stations was explained by seawater salinity and sediment microalgal detritus, highlighting the role of riverine input and possibly the formation of hetero-aggregates in defining polymer deposition. Additionally, we found that seawater temperature influenced polymer composition in deeper sediment layers (0-3 cm), likely together with biological activities performed by macrobenthos such as ingestion and burial. Finally, we demonstrate that seabed microplastics contribute to the spatial variability in macrobenthos, highlighting that marine ecosystem functioning effects of microplastic pollution are likely mediated via the benthos.}},
  articleno    = {{125392}},
  author       = {{Pantò, Gabriella and Vanreusel, Ann and Vercauteren, Maaike and Asselman, Jana and Van Colen, Carl}},
  issn         = {{0269-7491}},
  journal      = {{ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION}},
  keywords     = {{MACROFAUNA COMMUNITIES,MARINE,WATER,MACROBENTHOS,SEDIMENTS,PATTERNS,DENSITY}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{10}},
  title        = {{Seabed microplastics in the European continental shelf : unravelling physical and biological transport pathways and reciprocal fauna–polymer relationships}},
  url          = {{http://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2024.125392}},
  volume       = {{365}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}
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