
Plastic waste poses substantial risks to marine species and human health. While considerable research has been conducted on microplastics ( 25 mm), a significant knowledge gap regarding mesoplastics (5 – 25 mm) remains. This research aims to enhance the understanding of mesoplastics and their potential environmental impact through comprehensive characterization. Sampling campaign was conducted on beach in Albania, where meso-sized plastics were collected and analyzed following Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) sample collection method for mesolitter fragments and plastic pellets along the European coastline. Using the Saturna Imaging System, mesoplastics were characterized based on morphology, size, and color. Their composition was determined using Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and a multi-element analysis with micro-X-ray fluorescence (µXRF) was employed to identify metals and other elements incorporated during plastic production.
mesoplastics, imagining, µXRF, characterization, ATR-FTIR
mesoplastics, imagining, µXRF, characterization, ATR-FTIR
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 0 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Average | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Average |
