Persistence and Potential Increasing Accumulation of Microplastic Pollution on the Skikda Coast (Northeastern Algeria)

Macroplastic and microplastic pollution in beach sediments along the southern Atlantic Coast of Morocco

Characterization and distribution of microplastics on the beaches of Southern Tunisia: a case study of the Island of Djerba

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Researchers analyzed microplastics in sediments from eight beaches on Djerba Island, Tunisia, finding concentrations up to 127 particles per kilogram with the highest accumulation in dune zones, and polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene as the dominant polymers. The spatial variation linked to tourism, fishing, and urban runoff illustrates how local human activities shape microplastic distribution in coastal Mediterranean environments.

Assessing microplastic presence and distribution in sandy beaches: a case study of the Gulf of Tunis coastline

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A seasonal survey of Gulf of Tunis beach sediments found microplastic concentrations ranging from 109 particles/kg in summer to 531 particles/kg in winter, with polyethylene and polypropylene as dominant polymers and higher accumulation in upper beach and dune zones than in wave-exposed foreshores. These findings reveal how beach morphology and seasonal dynamics shape microplastic distribution at a major entry point for litter into the Mediterranean marine system.

Occurrence of Microplastic Pollution in Coastal Areas

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Microplastic pollution in coastal areas is accelerating in parallel with global plastic production, with aquatic ecosystems projected to bear an increasing burden of contamination. The ubiquity of coastal microplastics poses direct risks to marine biodiversity and indirect risks to human health through seafood consumption.

Quantification and Identification of Marine Litter on Five Beaches of the North-Central Algerian Coast

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Researchers quantified and identified marine litter on five beaches along Algeria's north-central coast, finding plastic fragments and fishing gear dominate the debris, with significant accumulation driven by inadequate waste management. Beach litter surveys in understudied African coastal regions are essential for building a complete global picture of plastic pollution sources and the pathways through which macroplastics degrade into microplastics.