We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Micro- and mesoplastic pollution along the beaches in the open Baltic Sea and Gulf of Riga
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted a baseline assessment of micro- and mesoplastic pollution along 24 beaches of the Latvian Baltic coastline with 250 citizen science volunteers, finding lower MP concentrations in the semi-closed Gulf of Riga (0.10 particles/kg dry sand) than in the open Baltic Sea (0.16 particles/kg dry sand).
We present a comprehensive assessment of micro- and mesoplastic pollution along 24 beaches of the Latvian coastline (Northern Europe, Baltic states) establishing a baseline for pollution distribution in the Baltic Sea Region. A detailed analysis of sand granulometry, hydrodynamic variables (waves and currents) and tourism intensity allowed us to understand better factors that drive plastic pollution distribution along beaches. Over 250 volunteers participated in the sample collection highlighting the importance of citizen science as a tool to support data collection.Our findings reveal a lower concentration of micro- and mesoplastic particles in the semi-closed Gulf of Riga (0.10 particles/kg dry sand) compared to the open Baltic Sea (0.16 particles/kg dry sand). The microplastic size fraction (1-5 mm) showed a distinct cluster with higher concentrations and fiber abundance in coarser beach sands of the open Baltic Sea and eastern Gulf of Riga. We emphasize hydrodynamics as a key factor in the distribution and accumulation of microplastics, while impacts are predominantly of local scale and vary considerably across existing studies. No clear pattern of recreational activities on plastic distribution was identified. Studies elaborating on aspects like sampling season, wave energy, wind, currents, sand granulometric properties, and pollution sources are encouraged to enhance result interpretation and move towards more comparable micro-litter case studies.Reference:Dimante-Deimantovica I, Bebrite A, Skudra M, Retike I, Viška M, Bikše J, Barone M, Prokopovica A, Svipsta S and Aigars J (2023) The baseline for micro- and mesoplastic pollution in open Baltic Sea and Gulf of Riga beach. Front. Mar. Sci. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2023.1251068/fullThis work was supported by voluntary donations from the student sorority Selga, the European Regional Development Fund post-doctoral projects No.1.1.1.2/VIAA/2/18/359 and No.1.1.1.2/VIAA/4/20/733, ESF Project No. 8.2.2.0/20/I/003 “Strengthening of Professional Competence of Daugavpils University Academic Personnel of Strategic Specialization Branches 3rd Call”, and the European Economic Area (EEA) Financial Mechanism 2014–2021 Baltic Research Programme (grant EMP480).
More Papers Like This
The baseline for micro- and mesoplastic pollution in open Baltic Sea and Gulf of Riga beach
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers established a baseline for microplastic and mesoplastic pollution along 24 beaches on the Latvian coastline of the Baltic Sea, using data collected with the help of up to 250 citizen science volunteers. They found that beaches on the open Baltic Sea contained more plastic particles than those in the semi-enclosed Gulf of Riga. The study analyzed wave patterns, currents, and tourism intensity as factors driving pollution distribution and highlights citizen science as a valuable tool for large-scale microplastic monitoring.
Micro- and Mesoplastic Monitoring on Beaches: Understanding Seasonal and Spatial Distribution Patterns
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers monitored microplastic abundance and composition across 11 Latvian Baltic Sea beaches over four seasons from autumn 2022 to summer 2023, finding that seasonal climate patterns and proximity to the Gulf of Riga influence both microplastic load and spatial distribution along the northeastern European coastline.
From macro to micro: dataset on plastic contamination along and across a sandy tide-less coast (the Curonian Spit, the Baltic Sea)
AI summary Read the abstract
This dataset documents the distribution and abundance of plastic litter across size classes — from macroplastic to microplastic — on beaches of the Curonian Spit UNESCO Reserve in the Baltic Sea. The data provide a baseline for tracking plastic pollution in a sensitive protected coastal environment.
Why sampling season and location matter for monitoring micro and mesoplastics on the beach
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers analyzed microplastic pollution across 11 marine beaches in Latvia over four seasons from autumn 2022 to summer 2023, demonstrating how sampling season and location significantly influence measured pollution levels in the Baltic Sea region due to seasonal weather patterns and local hydrodynamics.
Study of microplastic occurrence on the sandy beaches of Šventoji, Lithuania
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found significant microplastic contamination on the sandy beaches of Šventoji, Lithuania, with concentrations ranging from 85 to 325 particles per kilogram of dry sediment — among the highest reported for the Baltic Sea. Fibres and fragments dominated, with most particles being smaller than 1 mm.
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.