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Macro and Microplastics at Rocky Point and Coral Gardens Belize: Spatial Distribution and Abundance
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Researchers quantified macro- and microplastic abundance and spatial distribution patterns at Rocky Point and Coral Gardens reef sites in Belize, revealing contamination in a marine protected area with internationally significant coral biodiversity. Microplastic contamination in coral reef ecosystems poses direct threats to reef organisms through ingestion and entanglement while also signaling contamination of adjacent fisheries that local communities depend on for food and income.
A fast-growing body of research shows that microplastics can now be found every...
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CHARACTERIZATION and QUANTIFICATION OF MICROPLASTICS AT CORAL GARDENS and ROCKY POINT, BELIZE
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This study characterized and quantified microplastics in water and sediment at Coral Gardens and Rocky Point reef sites in Belize, documenting the types and concentrations of particles present. Coral reef ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to microplastic accumulation because particles can smother coral surfaces, introduce toxic additives, and disrupt the delicate organisms that build and sustain reef structures.
Investigations of Microplastics in the Unique Coastal Environment of Guanajibo Beach, Puerto Rico: New Constraints in a Polluted Environment
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This investigation documented microplastic presence, types, and distribution at Guanajibo Beach in Puerto Rico, a coastal environment shaped by complex currents and proximity to urban and industrial sources. The study adds to the growing body of evidence that Caribbean island beaches accumulate significant microplastic burdens with implications for marine wildlife and tourist economies dependent on clean coastal environments.
Toward a Method of Assessing Microplastic Accumulation in Beach Sand Deposits
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Researchers tested four saline density separation solutions to develop a low-cost method for extracting and quantifying microplastics from beach sand, achieving recovery rates of 61–78% for coarse particles across six plastic types. Standardizing affordable extraction methods is a critical step toward generating comparable microplastic concentration data across global beach environments.
The Distribution and Characteristics of Microplastics in Coastal Beaches and Mangrove Wetlands
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Researchers investigated how microplastics accumulate in coastal beaches and mangrove wetlands, finding these ecosystems act as hotspots that trap plastic particles carried by ocean currents and tides, potentially threatening the marine life that depends on these sensitive habitats.
Microplastics in a Post-hurricane Peat Deposit, Long Key, Florida
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Researchers found that microplastic concentrations in a Florida mangrove sediment core jumped significantly in layers deposited after a hurricane, suggesting extreme weather events can dramatically increase coastal microplastic contamination and potentially disrupt the delicate ecosystems that depend on peat sediments.
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.