We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Characteristics and distribution of litter, mesolitter and microplastics in Table Bay, Cape Town, South Africa
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers characterized the size, shape, type, and distribution of litter and microplastics in Table Bay, Cape Town, finding significant contamination in both beach sediments and nearshore waters. The study provides baseline data for monitoring plastic pollution in this South African coastal ecosystem.
Abstract The marine and coastal environments are facing unprecedented challenges by the presence of litter, mesolitter and microplastics. This study investigated the characteristics and distribution of litter (> 25 mm), mesolitter (5–25 mm) and microplastics (< 5 mm) in Table Bay, Cape Town. Sampling was carried out at two sites, Woodbridge Island (impact site) and Derdesteen (non-impact site) during summer and autumn of 2021. Litter and mesolitter were sampled along 100 meters of beach for 10 consecutive days, from the water’s edge to the backline. Water and sediment samples were also collected for microplastics (MPs) extraction. Plastic was the most abundant litter and mesolitter recorded, accounting for 90.22% by count and 47.98% by weight for litter, with foam (mainly polystyrene) being the most abundant plastic type found. Plastic pellets were the dominant mesolitter type while fibres were the most dominant type of MPs recorded. All three categories of contaminants (litter, mesolitter and MPs) were higher at Woodbridge Island than Derdesteen, indicating the effects of anthropogenic activities at an impact site.
More Papers Like This
Characteristics and distribution of litter, mesolitter, and microplastics in Table Bay, Cape Town, South Africa
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers characterized and mapped litter, mesolitter (2-25 mm), and microplastics in beach sediment and seawater at Table Bay, Cape Town, collecting over 11,000 litter items across two sites over ten sampling days in summer and autumn. The study provides baseline data on plastic pollution levels in a South African coastal environment and identifies dominant shapes, sizes, and polymer types across the different size categories.
The abundance, distribution and accumulation of plastic debris in Table Bay, Cape Town, South Africa
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers repeated a 1994 beach litter survey at two sites in Table Bay, South Africa, finding increased plastic accumulation at both locations a decade later. The study documents the growing abundance and accumulation rate of plastic debris on South African beaches and its persistence in the coastal environment over time.
A quantitative analysis of microplastic pollution along the south-eastern coastline of South Africa
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in beach sediments and surf-zone water along the south-eastern coast of South Africa, finding significantly higher concentrations in sheltered bays than on open coastlines. The study provides rare Southern Hemisphere baseline data and confirms that bay morphology influences microplastic accumulation.
Environmental concentrations, characteristics and risk assessment of microplastics in water and sediment along the Western Cape coastline, South Africa
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured microplastic levels in water and sediment at 14 sites along the Western Cape coastline of South Africa. They found that sediment contained significantly more microplastics than water, with harbors being the primary contamination hotspot. The study identified polyester, polyethylene, and polypropylene as the most common plastic types and flagged potential ecological risks at several sampling locations.
Occurrence, distribution and provenance of micro plastics: A large scale quantitative analysis of beach sediments from southeastern coast of South Africa
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastics were found in high abundance across nine tourist beaches in South Africa, with polypropylene and rayon dominating, and concentrations highest in Durban city beaches influenced by coastal currents and urban plastic inputs. Surface analysis revealed weathering features consistent with long-term environmental exposure.
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.