Amandine Collignon, Jean-Henri Hecq, François Galgani, France Collard,
Anne Goffart, Annual variation in neustonic micro- and meso-plastic
particles and zooplankton in the Bay of Calvi (Mediterranean–Corsica),
Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 79, Issues 1–2, 15 February 2014,
Pages 293-298, ISSN 0025-326X,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.11.023.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X13007248)
Abstract: The annual variation in neustonic plastic particles and
zooplankton was studied in the Bay of Calvi (Corsica) between 30 August
2011 and 7 August 2012. Plastic particles were classified into three
size classes, small microplastics (0.2–2 mm), large microplastics (2–5
mm) and mesoplastics (5–10 mm).

74% of the 38 samples contained plastic particles of varying
composition: e.g. filaments, polystyrene, thin plastic films. An average
concentration of 6.2 particles/100 m2 was observed. The highest
abundance values (69 particles/100 m2) observed occurred during periods
of low offshore wind conditions. These values rose in the same order of
magnitude as in previous studies in the North Western Mediterranean.

The relationships between the abundance values of the size classes
between zooplankton and plastic particles were then examined. The ratio
for the intermediate size class (2–5 mm) reached 2.73. This would
suggest a potential confusion for predators regarding planktonic prey of
this size class.
Keywords: Microplastic particles; Mesoplastic particles; Neuston;
Mediterranean Sea