Assessment of Microplastic Pollution in Sediments from Khor Al-Zubair, NorthWest of Arabian Gulf

Abstract

This study describes the concentration and distribution of microplastics at three different benthic sediment sites in Khor Al-Zubair region, North-West Arabian Gulf, Iraq. Sediment samples were separated by density difference, then Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used for analysis. Microplastics were recorded at different sites, with higher concentrations near industrial areas, and these microplastic particles were varied in shape from fragments to fibers composed of polyethylene and polypropylene polymers, indicating the clear impact of sewage discharge and domestic and industrial waste.