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Spatial Heterogeneity of Microplastic Contamination in Coastal Surface Waters: A Case Study of 21 Stations in the Southern Caspian Sea, Iran.
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Researchers tested coastal seawater at 21 sites along Iran's southern Caspian Sea coast and found microplastics at every location, with levels dropping farther from shore. Mazandaran province, near heavy tourism and urban areas, had the highest contamination, and most particles were fibers made of polyethylene or polypropylene, materials common in packaging and fishing gear.
Microplastic (MP) pollution poses significant threats to coastal ecosystems, yet data on its distribution in the southern Caspian Sea remain limited. This study provides one of the first comprehensive regional assessments of MP contamination in coastal surface waters along the Iranian Caspian coastline. Surface-water samples were collected from Gilan, Mazandaran, and Golestan provinces at three distances from the shoreline. MPs were extracted using density separation and oxidative digestion, characterized by stereomicroscopy and polymer-confirmed by FTIR-ATR. MPs were detected at all 21 sampling stations, with concentrations ranging from 0.05 to 1.30 MPs/L and a mean abundance of 0.24 0.05 MPs/L. MP abundance decreased significantly with increasing distance from shore (p < 0.001), indicating dominant land-based pollution sources. Mazandaran province exhibited the highest contamination levels, associated with intensive tourism and urbanization. Land-use analysis revealed that areas experiencing combined anthropogenic pressures had significantly greater MP abundance than single-activity areas. Fibers dominated particle morphology (73.4%), while polyethylene and polypropylene were the most abundant polymers, reflecting contributions from consumer plastics, packaging materials, and fishing-related activities. Multivariate analysis identified distinct pollution signatures associated with tourism, urbanization, and fisheries. These findings establish a critical baseline for future monitoring. Improved coastal waste management, tourism controls, and sustainable fishing practices are essential to mitigate MP pollution in this ecologically vulnerable inland sea.
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Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in surface waters along the southwest coast of the Caspian Sea in Iran across four seasons, finding an average of over 1,000 microplastic particles per cubic meter. Concentrations varied by season and location, with fibers being the most common type found.
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Researchers assessed microplastic occurrence in coastal sediments and surface waters along the southern Caspian Sea coast in Iran, finding mean concentrations of 15 items/kg in sediments and 710 items/m3 in coastal water. Fibers dominated at 97% of all MPs in both media and were predominantly black-colored, with smaller particles more prevalent in water than sediments.
Contamination of the Caspian Sea Southern coast sediments with microplastics: A marine environmental problem
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Microplastic occurrence was assessed in sediments from both recreational-tourism and non-tourist areas along the southern Caspian Sea coast of Iran. The study found microplastics at all sampling sites, with higher concentrations in tourist areas, establishing baseline contamination data for this large landlocked sea.
Microplastic pollution in inshore and offshore surface waters of the southern Caspian Sea
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This first comprehensive survey of microplastics in both inshore and offshore surface waters of the southern Caspian Sea found microplastics throughout the basin, with higher concentrations near the coast and in river outflow zones.
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