We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
A Mediterranean Focus Overview of EU Marine Litter Data Management Performed in the Framework of the European Marine Observation and Data Network Chemistry
AI summary Read the abstract
This overview examines marine litter data management across EU Mediterranean countries, highlighting the need for open science and interoperable data systems to support environmental protection under EU marine frameworks. Better data management infrastructure enables more comprehensive tracking of plastic pollution distribution in one of the world's most important but threatened sea basins.
The Mediterranean Sea is an almost completely closed basin connecting several countries. Its configuration leads to its peculiarity and richness, but the intensive activities within the basin and along the coast aggravate the ecological conditions. The existing regulatory European Framework for environmental protection has already been in place through a series of legal instruments for almost 20 years. In this context, open science could play a fundamental role. The existing data must become findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR) to provide stakeholders and decision-makers with the instruments to understand how to improve the available information and support decisions based on the best set of existing information. Since 2009, the European Marine Observation and Data Network, EMODnet, has provided access to high-quality marine information supporting research and stakeholders’ mission and objectives. Data related to pollution are collated, validated, and published using standard protocols, formats, and vocabularies, thus becoming FAIR. For marine litter, a detailed and qualified data management system for macro- and microlitter in diverse compartments was structured. Some of these data and metadata were already used to calculate the first coastline litter baselines based on harmonized and FAIR datasets (2012–2016). The availability of these data related to the Mediterranean area is relevant, but additional work is required.
More Papers Like This
EMODnet as the EU data platform for marine litter data
AI summary Read the abstract
This paper describes EMODnet—the European Marine Observation and Data Network—as the EU platform for standardizing and sharing marine litter data including microplastics from multiple research programs. The network aggregates data across seven thematic groups, enabling scientists and policymakers to access harmonized marine pollution information for European waters.
Marine monitoring in Europe: is it adequate to address environmental threats and pressures?
AI summary Read the abstract
A review of European coastal monitoring programs found significant gaps in detecting and tracking environmental threats, including microplastic pollution. The study calls for better integration of monitoring networks to provide the data needed for effective ocean management and pollution control.
The Need of an Harmonized Methodological Approach to Detect the Impact of Microplastics in the Mediterranean Biodiversity: the Plastic Busters Initiative Experience
AI summary Read the abstract
This paper describes the Plastic Busters Initiative's work to develop harmonized methodologies for monitoring the impact of microplastics on Mediterranean biodiversity across different environmental compartments and species. A unified monitoring approach is essential for assessing the cumulative effects of plastic pollution on the Mediterranean's rich but threatened marine ecosystems.
Joint effort among research infrastructures to quantify the impact of plastic debris in the ocean
AI summary Read the abstract
This collaborative overview coordinated monitoring of marine plastic debris across multiple research infrastructures, finding widespread and persistent contamination and calling for harmonized international observation protocols.
An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that micro- and mesoplastic debris were widely and uniformly distributed across the Western Mediterranean Sea, with average surface concentrations of approximately 130,000 microplastic particles per km2 and 5,700 mesoplastic particles per km2. Fragment morphology and polymer composition analysis indicated a predominantly land-based origin for the debris.
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.