Sources and pathways for marine litter: Bottom up approach starting from local case-studies for the four European regional seas

Source, fate, and effects of plastic litters in the European land-sea continuum

Exploring public views on marine litter in Europe: Perceived causes, consequences and pathways to change

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A survey of over 1,100 people across 16 European countries found that almost everyone (95%) sees litter when they visit the coast, and most people blame it on how products and packaging are designed, not just careless behavior or missing trash cans. Interestingly, people trust scientists and environmental groups most to fix the problem, even though they see companies and government as more responsible for causing it. This matters because marine litter breaks down into microplastics that end up in seafood and drinking water, so understanding what shapes public attitudes can help build support for policies that stop plastic pollution before it reaches our oceans and our plates.

Assessing marine litter in a highly polluted area in the Mediterranean: A multi-perspective approach in the Saronikos Gulf, Greece

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Researchers found that beaches and waters in Greece's Saronikos Gulf are heavily polluted with trash, with plastic, especially tiny foam fragments and cigarette butts, making up most of the litter. This matters because as plastic breaks down into smaller pieces in the ocean, it can enter the food chain (including seafood we eat) and contribute to the growing concern over microplastics in our diets and bodies. The study highlights how coastal pollution is worse close to shore and shifts with seasons, giving policymakers concrete data to target cleanup efforts where they'll have the most impact.

From Land to Sea: Model for the Documentation of Land-Sourced Plastic Litter

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A systematic model was developed to document and quantify land-sourced plastic litter pathways from point of disposal to ocean entry, providing a structured framework for tracking how improperly discarded plastic on land ultimately contributes to marine microplastic pollution. Better documentation of land-to-sea transport routes is essential for targeting waste management interventions at the highest-impact points in the plastic pollution pipeline.

Microplastics in multiple environmental media along a land-sea continuum: Distribution, critical source areas, and management priorities from sources to sinks

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This comprehensive study tracked microplastic distribution across surface water, groundwater, and sediments throughout the Jiulong River basin in China, identifying distinct polymer patterns by media and spatial hotspots in the lower reaches. Mapping microplastic flow from terrestrial sources through river corridors to estuaries is critical for identifying intervention points where pollution control can most effectively reduce the quantity of microplastics reaching coastal marine environments and seafood.