Distribution, characteristics and short-term variability of microplastics in beach sediment of Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Brazil

Fernando de Noronha Archipelago is highly vulnerable to microplastic pollution, which has been previously reported with snapshot samplings on the site. The present study has performed daily beach sediment samplings on the archipelago, aiming to assess the distribution, characteristics and short-term variability of microplastics (1–5 mm), expressing concentrations in three different units. The concentrations ranged from 0.6 ± 2.5 particles/m2 to 1059.3 ± 1385.6 particles/m2 and showed a large spatial and temporal small-scale variability. The results indicate that microplastic contamination is recurrent in Fernando de Noronha and the distribution of these particles is associated with a combination of various physical processes. A wider comparison with results obtained in beaches worldwide was possible using different units of concentration, but standard methods for sampling and analysis of microplastics is needed to better understanding of large-scale spatial and temporal variability. [Display omitted] •Microplastic pollution is recurrent in Fernando de Noronha Archipelago.•Surface currents are the main responsible for the intense arrival of debris.•Microplastic concentration is highly variable in small temporal and spatial scales.•Various physical processes influence microplastic distribution on beach sediment.•Adopting different concentration units facilitates comparisons with other studies.