Microplastic in sediment from Denmark 2012-2013

This study is a first attempt in Denmark on assessing the presence of microplastics in our open & coastal waters from Baltic to North Sea. The occurrence and impact of microplastics have in the Danish initial assessment for EU’s Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) been identified as a relevant indicator for describing “Good Environmental Status” (GES) for descriptor 10 on Marine Litter. Microplastic particles in marine waters, which consist of synthetic polymer materials, origin mainly from secondary microplastics, i.e. fragments of litter like solid waste, fishing gear, paint flakes etc. from either sea- or land based sources. Primary microplastics (engineered) are not expected to be as common as secondary microplastics. Microplastics can origin from both local sources and from long-range transport with ocean or air currents.