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Examining Microplastics Along the Calabrian Coastline: Analysis of Key Characteristics and Metal Contamination
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Researchers sampling the Calabrian coastline in Italy found microplastics dominated by polyethylene fragments in all six study areas, with the highest concentrations near the port of Gioia Tauro. Heavy metals were also detected within the plastic particles, highlighting how microplastics can act as environmental carriers that introduce toxic metals into coastal food chains.
Plastic pollution is a major concern today. Microplastics (MPs), due to their small size, can enter the food chain and cause serious harm to living organisms. The Mediterranean Sea is the sixth largest accumulation area for plastic waste, including MPs, worldwide. In this study, we analyzed the distribution, shape, color, size, and polymer composition of MPs (having dimensions between 330 µm and 5 mm), collected from the water surface in six areas along the Calabrian coast, Italy. A prevalence of polyethylene was detected, with higher concentrations of MPs found in the Gioia Tauro and Cetraro areas. Additionally, heavy metals were identified within the MPs, suggesting that these particles could act as environmental carriers of such elements into the food chain.
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Microplastics in the Center of Mediterranean: Comparison of the Two Calabrian Coasts and Distribution from Coastal Areas to the Open Sea
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Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution along the Calabrian coastline in the central Mediterranean, finding higher concentrations on the Tyrrhenian coast than the Ionian coast and documenting how microplastics distribute from coastal areas into the open sea.
Microplastic pollution in Italian South Adriatic Harbor Areas
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Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution at four Italian Adriatic ports and nearby beaches in summer 2021, finding polyethylene as the dominant plastic type. Commercial and fishing ports showed higher contamination than tourism ports, pointing to boat activity and fishing gear as key pollution sources.
Microplastics in the Mediterranean Sea: Deposition in coastal shallow sediments, spatial variation and preferential grain size
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Researchers sampled Mediterranean coastal shallow sediments and found microplastics throughout, with concentrations and polymer types reflecting land-based inputs and showing that coastal sediments are a significant regional reservoir for plastic debris.
Microplastic distribution, abundance and composition in the water column, sediments and biota samples collected along the Tyrrhenian Coasts (Mediterranean Sea)
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A Greenpeace-sponsored sampling campaign along Italy's Tyrrhenian coastline detected microplastics in surface water, sediments, and marine organisms at all sites, including marine protected areas. Ports and river mouths showed the highest contamination levels, pointing to land-based and maritime activities as major sources. The study demonstrates that even protected marine areas in the Mediterranean are not free from plastic pollution.
Microplastic Abundance and Polymer Types in a Mediterranean Environment
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Researchers surveyed microplastic abundance and polymer types across multiple compartments of a Mediterranean marine environment, documenting their presence from the sea surface to beach sediments and within marine organisms. The study adds to growing evidence that microplastics are pervasive throughout Mediterranean coastal ecosystems.
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.