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Persistence and potential increasing accumulation of microplastic pollution on the Skikda coast (northeastern Algeria)
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Microplastic surveys of five beaches along the Skikda coast in Algeria found average abundances of over 6,000 items/m in both spring and autumn — the highest recorded in Algeria — dominated by fragments, pellets, foams, and fibers.
This paper describes the microplastic problems on five sandy beaches along the Skikda coastline (southwestern Mediterranean, northeastern Algeria), defining their magnitudes, spatial-temporal distributions, shapes, polymer types, impacts, and potential sources. The data presented in this study were collected during two field surveys in May (spring) and September (autumn/fall) of 2019. Overall, the average abundance of microplastics across all beaches was 6174 items/m in spring and 6183 items/m in autumn, representing the highest level of MPs ever reported in Algeria. The most common microplastic types found were fragments, pellets, foams and fibers, accounting for >98 % of the microplastic shapes collected in this study. Our findings highlight the persistence of MPs on the studied beaches and that environmental factors such as currents, wind directions, beaching, sedimentation, dunes, and fragmentation all significantly impact the distribution and accumulation of plastic debris on beaches.
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First evidence of plastic pollution in beach sediments of the Skikda coast (northeast of Algeria)
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Researchers conducted the first survey of plastic pollution in beach sediments along the Gulf of Skikda in Algeria, detecting mesoplastics and microplastics at all seven sampled beaches, with microplastics being the most abundant size fraction and fragments dominating over films and pellets.
Micro and mesoplastics pollution in beach sediments of Skikda coasts (northeast of Algeria)
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This study is the first to survey plastic debris in beach sediments along the Skikda Gulf coastline in northeastern Algeria, covering 50 km of Mediterranean shoreline. Fragments and pellets were the dominant forms found, with polyethylene and polypropylene identified as the main polymers. The results fill a data gap for the southwestern Mediterranean and highlight the need for improved coastal waste management in Algeria.
Micro- and macro-plastics in beach sediment of the Algerian western coast: First data on distribution, characterization, and source
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Researchers conducted the first survey of micro- and macro-plastic pollution on nine beaches along 124 km of Algeria's western coast, finding plastic concentrations varying from 7.6 to 66 items/m2 with fragments dominating at 83% and pellets comprising nearly 15% of microplastics.
Assessment of microplastic abundance and impact on recreational beaches along the western Algerian coastline
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Researchers assessed microplastic abundance on three recreational beaches along the western Algerian coastline. The study found an average of about 55 microplastic items per square meter, predominantly fragments, and used a pollution index to characterize contamination levels, contributing important baseline data for understanding plastic pollution along the understudied North African Mediterranean coast.
Occurrence and characterization of surface sediment microplastics and litter from North African coasts of Mediterranean Sea: Preliminary research and first evidence
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Researchers conducted the first investigation of microplastic and macro-litter contamination along North African Mediterranean coasts in the Gulf of Annaba, Algeria. Five types of microplastics were identified, with fibers being the most common at 70%, and polyethylene the dominant polymer. The distribution of contamination was linked to proximity to populated areas, wastewater discharges, and industrial installations.
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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.