Presence of microplastics in aquatic ecosystems in the city of Osijek

Istraživanja oneĉišćenja akvatiĉnih ekosustava mikroplastikom rapidno su se povećala u zadnje vrijeme što ukazuje na rastuću globalnu zabrinutost. Dosadašnje spoznaje sugeriraju da ne postoji standardizirana metoda ekstrakcije ĉestica mikroplastike iz sedimenta. U ovom je radu korištena brza, jednostavna i jeftina metoda koja koristi otopinu ZnCl2 za separaciju mikroplastike iz sedimenta. Na temelju analize ĉetiri jezera na podruĉju grada Osijeka utvrĊena je prisutnost mikroplastike u svim analiziranim jezerima. Najveća prisutnost mikroplastike izmjerena je na podruĉju Bajera Jug 2 koje se nalazi odmah pored jedne od najvećih stambenih ĉetvrti grada Osijeka. Veliĉina ĉestica mikroplastike isticala se na podruĉju jezera Bosutsko naselje koje se takoĊer nalazi u blizini stambene ĉetvrti. Od oblika ĉestica prevladavala su vlakna na svim lokalitetima.Research on the pollution of aquatic ecosystems by microplastics has rapidly increased recently, indicating growing global concern. Existing knowledge suggests that there is no standardized method for extracting microplastic particles from sediment. In this study, a fast, simple, and inexpensive method using a ZnCl2 solution was used for microplastic separation from sediment. Based on the analysis of four lakes in the area of city of Osijek, the presence of microplastics was detected in all analyzed lakes. The highest presence of microplastics was measured in the area of Bajer Jug 2, which is located near one of the largest residential areas in Osijek. The size of microplastic particles stands out in the Bosutsko naselje lake, which is also located near a residential area. Fibers were the dominant shape of microplastic particles at all locations