We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Seasonality of Marine Litter Hotspots in the Wider Caribbean Region
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used marine plastic litter tracking simulations to identify seasonal hotspots of plastic accumulation in the Wider Caribbean Region, which has one of the highest plastic concentrations in the world's oceans. The study found that hotspot locations shift substantially with season, with implications for targeted cleanup and monitoring strategies.
The persistent increase in marine plastic litter has become a major global concern, with one of the highest plastic concentrations in the world’s oceans found in the Wider Caribbean Region (WCR). In this study, we use marine plastic litter tracking simulations to investigate where marine plastic accumulates, i.e., hotspots, in the WCR and how the accumulation varies on seasonal timescales. We show that most of the marine plastic waste converges on the coastlines shortly after being released into the WCR because of the strong surface current and the predominant easterly winds. Major plastic accumulations take place along (i) the western coastline of the WCR, especially the north–south-oriented coasts of Costa Rica/Nicaragua, Guatemala/Belize/Mexico, and Texas, and (ii) the coastlines of Haiti–Dominican Republic and Venezuela. Relatively low plastic accumulation is found along western Florida, the western Yucatán peninsula, and the leeward and windward Caribbean islands. Accumulation along the western WCR coastlines is modulated primarily by ocean currents and exhibits significant seasonal variabilities due to changes in wind patterns. The accumulation observed on the Haiti–Dominican Republic and Venezuela coastlines is primarily due to the proximity of large, mismanaged plastic waste sources. Finally, we discuss the uncertainty associated with the choices made in defining the different criteria for plastic beaching in the models.
More Papers Like This
Role of Indian Ocean Dynamics on Accumulation of Buoyant Debris
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used ocean circulation modeling to investigate the role of Indian Ocean dynamics in accumulating buoyant marine plastic debris, examining how Ekman convergence and regional current patterns shape the distribution of floating debris in the Indian Ocean subtropical gyre.
Microplastics and plastisphere at surface waters in the Southwestern Caribbean sea
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution at the surface waters of two marine-coastal areas in the Southwestern Caribbean Sea across wet and dry seasons. The study found higher microplastic concentrations during the rainy season, likely due to increased runoff carrying land-based plastic waste into the ocean. Evidence indicates that seasonal weather patterns and local land use significantly influence microplastic distribution in coastal marine environments.
Numerical Modelling of Plastic Debris Transport and Accumulation throughout Portuguese Coast
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers applied numerical modelling to simulate the transport and accumulation of plastic debris along the Portuguese coast, assessing how ocean currents drive microplastic dispersal and deposition patterns in this Atlantic coastal region. The study contributes spatial predictions of plastic accumulation hotspots to inform monitoring and management strategies.
Numerical Simulation of River-Borne Debris Trajectories and Dispersion Patterns in Lamong Bay, Indonesia
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists used computer modeling to track how plastic waste moves through Lamong Bay in Indonesia, finding that ocean currents and seasonal wind patterns push floating plastic debris toward river mouths and different parts of the bay depending on the time of year. This matters because that plastic breaks down into microplastics that can enter the food chain through fish and shellfish harvested from these waters, and this kind of pollution-tracking research helps identify where cleanup efforts would have the biggest impact.
Fate and dynamic of marine micro plastics in the Baltic Sea
AI summary Read the abstract
This study modeled the fate and transport of microplastic litter in the Baltic Sea, examining how ocean currents, wind, and particle properties drive spatial distribution over time. Researchers identified likely accumulation zones and seasonal patterns relevant to monitoring and cleanup strategies.
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.