Could spatial variation be more important than species identity in determining the presence of microplastics in temperate sponges?

Microplastic (MP) particles (-1 (dry sponge weight). There were significant differences in PMP abundance between sites and between some species, but most of the variation was explained by site (40–53% vs. 4–24% of the variance). Our results suggest that PMP abundance in sponges is mainly explained by spatial variation in microplastic abundance rather than species identity.