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Assessment of microplastic pollution in the Gulf of Suez: Abundance and polymeric composition in beach sediments
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This study assessed microplastic abundance and polymer composition in sediments along the Gulf of Suez shores, identifying 268 microplastic particles with an average of 204.3 particles per kilogram of dry sediment, reflecting contamination from the region's intense shipping and industrial activities.
The Gulf of Suez is a crucial shipping route and a hub for mining and oil drilling operations, making its area particularly susceptible to the accumulation of marine plastic waste. This study evaluates the abundance and composition of microplastics (MPs) along the Gulf of Suez shores. A total of 268 MPs particles were extracted from the sediments, with an average of 204.3 ± 146.6 MPs/kg dry weight. The Kruskal-Wallis test did not show significant variations among stations. The recovered MPs were mostly hard fragments and fibers. Most of the sampled stations had a low Pollution Index (PLI), indicating a low prevalence of MPs. The predominance of polyethylene vinyl acetate (PEVA) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) suggests that marine-based sources and associated industrial activities are the main contributors. These findings offer a preliminary assessment of marine plastic pollution along the Gulf of Suez shores, highlighting the crucial need for monitoring offshore waters and sediments. Given the heavy shipping activity in the region, the offshore zone of the Gulf of Suez is expected to have higher levels of plastic pollution. The study also contributes to the expanding understanding of marine plastic pollution in the Red Sea region.
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Assessment of Microplastics Pollution in Marine Water Along Gulf of Suez, Egypt
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Researchers assessed microplastic pollution at nine beach locations along the Gulf of Suez, Egypt, identifying 1,982 microplastic debris particles in water samples via microscopy and characterizing various morphologies, providing baseline data on spatial fluctuations of microplastic contamination in this Red Sea region.
The occurrence of microplastic contamination in littoral sediments of the Persian Gulf, Iran
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Researchers surveyed littoral sediments of the Persian Gulf for microplastics, finding plastic particles across all sampling sites with a variety of polymer types. The study provides early baseline contamination data for a region with major petrochemical and industrial activity.
Polymer Composition and Comparative Analysis of Microplastic Contamination in Tripoli Port Sediments
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Researchers collected sediment samples from three locations along the coast of Tripoli Port in Libya over a year and characterized microplastic abundance, shape, size, and polymer type, finding polyethylene as the dominant polymer and widespread contamination across all sampling sites.
Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments: Insights into microplastic accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries
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Researchers surveyed microplastic abundance in beach sediments across seven locations in Mobile Bay, a northern Gulf of Mexico estuary. The study found microplastics were ubiquitous at concentrations 66 to 253 times higher than reported for the open ocean, with polypropylene and polyethylene being the most common polymers, highlighting the extent of microplastic accumulation in estuarine environments.
Assessing Microplastic Contamination in Beach Sediments Along the Eastern Algerian Coast: Distribution Patterns, Abundance, and Potential Origins
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Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in beach sediments at three sites along the eastern Algerian coast in the Gulf of Bejaia. Using sodium chloride flotation and standardized sampling across 100 square meter transects, they quantified microplastic density, size distribution, and polymer types. The study provides baseline data on coastal microplastic pollution levels in Algeria and highlights the connection between local human activities and beach sediment contamination.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.