Lichen biomonitoring of airborne microplastics in the urban area of Pisa (Italy)
(1) Department of Biology, University of Pisa; (2) School of the Environment, Trent University; (3) Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena
Plastics, microplastics, and their associated chemicals are issues of increasing global concern, because of their potential impact on human health. Microplastics (small pieces of waste plastic less than 5 mm in length) have been found in a variety of environments, but there are currently few studies investigating atmospheric microplastics. The atmosphere is an important medium through which suspended materials are transported and it is now clear that it can also be polluted by microplastics, even in remote regions. In this study, the deposition of atmospheric microplastics in the city of Pisa was studied using lichen transplants (Evernia prunastri). The aim was to characterise microplastics on the thallus before and after exposure under different experimental conditions. Lichen thalli were placed in outdoor areas such as parking lots and urban parks for about 7 weeks. Samples of E. prunastri from several remote areas in Tuscany were also considered for comparison. Extraction and identification of microplastics were carried out using microscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy techniques. The first results of the study will be presented and discussed.
Keywords: atmospheric deposition, biomonitoring, lichen, microplastics, plastic polymers
