Text written in Basque and translated automatically by Elia without any subsequent editing. SEE ORIGINAL

Effective measures to prevent the industry from dumping plastic grains into the sea

Within the framework of the ItsasMicro project, researchers from the Materials and Technologies Group of the UPV/EHU have investigated the plastic grains (pellets) that appear on the beaches of Donostia-San Sebastián and Orio, proposing simple measures to avoid discharges from the industry.

To begin with, two parameters have been identified among those used by water quality control agencies to control rainwater discharges: suspended solids and volatile suspended solids. Researchers have proposed including both in industrial discharge authorisations. In fact, they believe that in addition to having a simple technical and economic strategy to prevent grain spills, it would also be beneficial for the environment.

It is also recalled that in some installations underground tanks are used to contain and separate hydrocarbon leaks. Industries that can emit microplastics can also use underground tanks adapted to allow the separation of emitted microplastics by flotation. This solution would also be useful for synthetic fibres from textile companies and microspheres from cosmetic industries.

The study was published in the open Marine Pollution Bulletin.