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Floating microplastics along the western Mediterranean Sea: Are we reaching a “Good Environmental Status” or drifting away?
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This study measured floating microplastic concentrations along transects in the western Mediterranean Sea, asking whether the sea has reached a saturation threshold — a "garbage patch" equivalent. Results showed persistent high concentrations near shipping lanes and coastal zones but no evidence of a stable convergence zone.
This study investigates the spatial and temporal distribution of sea surface microplastic in the Spanish Mediterranean Sea, assessing compliance with the Good Environmental Status (GES) criteria of the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive 2008/56/EC and Barcelona Convention. Data from 668 sea surface water samples collected from 2017 to 2023 were analysed to classify their status according to indicators of microplastic pollution. A mean abundance of 0.24 ± 1.80 items/m of sea surface microplastics was quantified, with significant differences between locations, zones, areas, and macro-areas (KW, p <0.05). The highest abundance was observed in the protected area of the Columbretes Islands (14.26 ± 8.66 items/m) and the lowest in Fuengirola (0.0008 ± ND items/m). The peninsular coast showed a higher abundance of microplastic (0.41 ± 0.27 items/m) than the Balearic Islands (0.21 ± 0.06 items/m). Fragments and sheets accounted for 72 % and 15 % of the microplastics, respectively. The highest microplastic abundance was observed in 2017 (0.85 ± 0.5 items/m) and the lowest in 2022 (0.07 ± 0.01 items/m), but no temporal trend was detected (MK, p >0.05). According to GES, 98 % of the stations were classified as having "Moderate" to "Very poor" conditions, while only 2 % were in good or high environmental status. This study confirms the lack of GES achievement along the Spanish western Mediterranean coastal waters and highlights the need for action to reduce plastic waste and prevent marine pollution.
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Researchers measured floating plastic concentrations throughout the Mediterranean Sea and found densities comparable to the five major ocean garbage patches, with plastic present at 100% of sampling sites. The most common items were fragments of bags, wrapping, and fishing materials, with the highest concentrations in populated coastal areas. The study establishes the Mediterranean as a major global accumulation zone for plastic pollution, comparable to subtropical ocean gyres.
Floating Microplastics in the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea: Temporal and Spatial Heterogeneities
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Floating microplastic concentrations in the northwestern Mediterranean showed significant spatial and temporal variation at small scales near coastal river mouths, with levels spiking after rainfall events that flush plastics from land into the sea. This heterogeneity means that single-point measurements dramatically underestimate total microplastic loads, calling for more intensive and dynamic monitoring strategies in heavily polluted enclosed seas.
The western Mediterranean Sea under study: GES or non-GES regarding floating microplastics
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Researchers analyzed 668 sea surface water samples from the Spanish Mediterranean Sea collected from 2017 to 2023, finding a mean microplastic abundance of 0.24 items per square meter and assessing whether concentrations comply with Good Environmental Status criteria under the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive.
An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea
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Researchers found that micro- and mesoplastic debris were widely and uniformly distributed across the Western Mediterranean Sea, with average surface concentrations of approximately 130,000 microplastic particles per km2 and 5,700 mesoplastic particles per km2. Fragment morphology and polymer composition analysis indicated a predominantly land-based origin for the debris.
Floating plastic debris in the Central and Western Mediterranean Sea
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Researchers collected 71 floating plastic debris samples across Central and Western Mediterranean waters during two voyages in 2011 and 2013, estimating a total of approximately 1,455 tonnes of floating plastic in the region with microplastics present in all samples and average concentrations of 147,500 items per km2.
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