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Plastic exposure risk for costal seabirds varies seasonally with freshwater runoff
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Researchers tracked the seasonal distribution of floating marine litter and microplastics in the Ebro Delta, an important Mediterranean wetland, and assessed the risk to breeding tern populations. They found that plastic pollution peaked in autumn and spring, coinciding with river discharge and irrigation runoff, creating high-risk zones where tern feeding areas overlapped with concentrated debris. The study highlights how seasonal agricultural and hydrological patterns drive wildlife exposure to plastic pollution.
Marine litter, including Floating Marine Macro-Litter (FMML) and microplastics (MP), poses a major threat to marine ecosystems. This study investigates the seasonal distribution of FMML and MP in the Ebro Delta, a key Mediterranean wetland, and evaluates the potential risk to three tern species (family Laridae, subfamily Sterninae) that rely on the area for foraging and breeding. Seasonal surveys (October 2021-June 2022) were conducted using drone and manta trawl sampling for litter assessment, with tern densities estimated via distance sampling. Results revealed seasonal peaks in FMML and MP densities, with the highest concentrations in autumn and spring, likely influenced by river discharge and irrigation runoff. Risk assessment maps identified high-risk zones where tern densities overlapped with FMML and MP hotspots, indicating potential threats from entanglement, ingestion, and trophic transfer of pollutants. These findings underscored the relevance of seasonality and spatial risk assessment when evaluating exposure to marine litter. This study not only enhanced our understanding of marine litter impacts in the Mediterranean Sea but also provided essential data to inform evidence-based policies and management strategies aimed at protecting vulnerable species in this ecologically relevant area.
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Microplastic inputs to the Mediterranean Sea during wet and dry seasons: The case of two Lebanese coastal outlets
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Sampling of two Lebanese rivers found that microplastic concentrations were far higher in the more urbanized and industrialized river, and that plastic particle loads spiked at the start of the wet season before declining as rain continued—suggesting that seasonal stormwater flushes pulse large amounts of microplastics into the Mediterranean Sea. These results underscore how urban land use and seasonal weather patterns together control the flow of plastic pollution from land to sea.
Behavior of macro and microplastics in surface waters in response to extreme meteorological events: a case study on a typical Mediterranean watershed.
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Researchers measured macro- and microplastic concentrations in Mediterranean freshwaters during dry and wet weather periods, finding that rainfall events dramatically increased plastic loads in urban waterways. More urbanized catchments showed higher plastic concentrations during storm events, confirming that urban stormwater runoff is a major driver of microplastic input to rivers. The study highlights the importance of monitoring during and after rain events to capture the full scale of plastic pollution in urban rivers.
Seasonality of riverine macroplastic transport
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Long-term monitoring of a European river found strong seasonal patterns in macroplastic transport, with peak plastic loads during high-flow periods following rainfall events. Understanding the seasonality of riverine plastic transport is important for accurately estimating annual loads delivered to the ocean and designing effective riverine cleanup interventions.
Quarterly variability of floating plastic debris in the marine protected area of the Menorca Channel (Spain)
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Floating plastic debris was monitored quarterly over a year in a marine protected area in the Menorca Channel (Spain), revealing seasonal variation tied to wind patterns and ocean currents. Even protected marine areas are not shielded from plastic pollution, with peaks in certain seasons.
Abundance and variation of microplastics between seasons in a tropical estuary: The case of Can Gio estuary, Vietnam
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Researchers assessed seasonal variation in microplastic abundance and characteristics in the Can Gio estuary, Vietnam, across wet and dry seasons. Microplastic concentrations were higher during the wet season, with seasonal plastic transport linked to river discharge and rainfall-driven inputs from upstream urban sources.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.