This study investigates the spatial and temporal distribution of sea surface microplastic in the Spanish Mediterranean Sea, assessing compliance with the Good Environmental Status (GES) criteria of the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive 2008/56/EC and Barcelona Convention. Data from 668 sea surface water samples collected from 2017 to 2023 were analysed to classify their status according to indicators of microplastic pollution. A mean abundance of 0.24 ± 1.80 items/m2 of sea surface microplastics was quantified, with significant differences between locations, zones, areas, and macro-areas (KW, p <0.05). The highest abundance was observed in the protected area of the Columbretes Islands (14.26 ± 8.66 items/m2) and the lowest in Fuengirola (0.0008 ± ND items/m2). The peninsular coast showed a higher abundance of microplastic (0.41 ± 0.27 items/m2) than the Balearic Islands (0.21 ± 0.06 items/m2). Fragments and sheets accounted for 72 % and 15 % of the microplastics, respectively. The highest microplastic abundance was observed in 2017 (0.85 ± 0.5 items/m2) and the lowest in 2022 (0.07 ± 0.01 items/m2), but no temporal trend was detected (MK, p >0.05). According to GES, 98 % of the stations were classified as having “Moderate” to “Very poor” conditions, while only 2 % were in good or high environmental status. This study confirms the lack of GES achievement along the Spanish western Mediterranean coastal waters and highlights the need for action to reduce plastic waste and prevent marine pollution.

中文翻译：

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西地中海沿岸漂浮的微塑料：我们是达到“良好环境状况”还是逐渐消失？


本研究调查了西班牙地中海海面微塑料的时空分布，评估了对欧洲海洋战略框架指令 2008/56/EC 和巴塞罗那公约的良好环境状况 （GES） 标准的遵守情况。对 2017 年至 2023 年收集的 668 个海表水样本的数据进行了分析，以根据微塑料污染指标对其状况进行分类。量化了 0.24 ± 1.80 项/m2 的海面微塑料平均丰度，位置、区域、区域和宏观区域之间存在显著差异 （KW， p <0.05）。在 Columbretes 群岛的保护区观察到丰度最高（14.26 ± 8.66 项/m2），在福恩吉罗拉最低（0.0008 ± ND 项/m2）。半岛海岸的微塑料丰度（0.41 ± 0.27 件/m2）高于巴利阿里群岛（0.21 ± 0.06 件/m2）。碎片和片状分别占微塑料的 72% 和 15%。2017 年观察到微塑料丰度最高 （0.85 ± 0.5 件/m2），2022 年最低 （0.07 ± 0.01 件/m2），但没有检测到时间趋势 （MK， p >0.05）。根据 GES 的数据，98% 的监测站被归类为“中度”至“非常差”的条件，而只有 2% 的监测站处于良好或高度环境状况。这项研究证实了西班牙西地中海沿岸水域缺乏 GES 成就，并强调了采取行动减少塑料垃圾和防止海洋污染的必要性。