We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Citizen science initiatives and outcomes in plastic pollution monitoring and control in the southern Bay of Biscay.
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compiled seven years of citizen science marine litter data from the southern Bay of Biscay across beaches, floating zones, and seafloor surveys, finding plastics comprised 77–98% of recorded items and that small plastic pieces (0–2.5 cm) were the single most abundant object type across all three environments.
Marine litter constitutes a significant global environmental challenge that needs to be addressed through international regulatory frameworks and conventions such as the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) and the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR) among others; all of which depend on reliable data to assess progress and guide mitigation efforts. Without the involvement of citizen science monitoring, the acquisition of such comprehensive datasets would be practically unfeasible. The South of the Bay of Biscay, where multiple monitoring efforts -both scientific and citizen science- have been conducted, is characterized by distinctive oceanographic conditions and intense anthropogenic activity. This study aims to contribute to addressing plastic pollution by compiling information on marine litter monitored by citizen science programmes across the South of the Bay of Biscay and identifying the main policy instruments, initiatives, and their key outcomes across three domains: beaches, floating marine litter, and seafloor. Beaches were the most frequently surveyed environment, with 1697 monitoring events reported between 2018 and 2024 in the study area. These surveys collected 441,682 litter items, which plastic pieces (0-2.5 cm), being the most abundant object (79,480 items) and plastics accounted for 77.50% of all recorded items. Additionally, the area has been identified as a potential accumulation zone for floating marine litter, with long residence times in its eastern sector; an observation supported by citizen science records which reported 180,474 items across 212 surveys, 97.98% of which were plastics. Plastic pieces (0-2.5 cm) totalling 151,531 items and emerging again as the most abundant objects. Regarding seafloor litter, citizen science monitoring relies on two monitoring approaches: scuba diving and trawling. However, in the study area, trawling is carried out only in Galicia and Asturias, and scuba diving surveys are limited. A total of 31scuba diving surveys collected 65,119 items, with plastics representing a more modest share (36.77%) and glass bottles and jars (19,249 items) surpassing plastic pieces.
More Papers Like This
Using citizen science to understand floating plastic debris distribution and abundance: A case study from the North Cornish coast (United Kingdom).
AI summary Read the abstract
This citizen science study used a standardized methodology to monitor floating plastic debris off the Cornish coast of the UK, finding microplastic concentrations comparable to or higher than other European coastal regions. The study demonstrates that citizen science can generate useful, standardized data on plastic pollution in coastal waters.
Floating microplastic loads in the nearshore revealed through citizen science
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used citizen science manta trawl deployments across 124 transects in the NW Mediterranean to characterize floating microplastic loads in nearshore coastal waters, finding substantial plastic pollution concentrated close to shore where emissions are highest.
Monitoring litter and microplastics in a highly polluted protected site of southern Spain: A research-based citizen science initiative
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers combined citizen science monitoring with academic research to track plastic litter and microplastics at a protected but highly polluted site in southern Spain, generating both scientific data and community engagement outcomes. The project demonstrated how structured citizen science can produce research-quality data on plastic pollution while building public awareness.
The Surfing for Science citizen science project: 5 years monitoring floating microplastics in the nearshore
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reported five years of citizen science microplastic monitoring data from the Surfing for Science project, in which trained surfers and paddlers towed specially designed manta trawls in nearshore waters along the northern and northeastern Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands to track floating microplastic abundance and origin.
The potential contribution of citizen science data in the study of coastal microplastic and mesoplastic distributions
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers analyzed citizen science data from the Big Microplastic Survey to assess the potential contribution of volunteer-collected observations to understanding coastal microplastic and mesoplastic distribution patterns, evaluating data quality and spatial coverage relative to conventional scientific monitoring.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.