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Occurrence and risks of microplastics in the ecosystems of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
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Researchers reviewed 97 studies on microplastic occurrence across marine, freshwater, air, and terrestrial environments in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The study found that despite being a major area of plastic production and consumption, MP research in the MENA region had been limited until a surge in 2021, and the risk assessment revealed concerning concentrations particularly in marine waters.
The ubiquitous nature of microplastics (MPs) in nature and the risks they pose on the environment and human health have led to an increased research interest in the topic. Despite being an area of high plastic production and consumption, studies on MPs in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region have been limited. However, the region witnessed a research surge in 2021 attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this review, a total of 97 studies were analyzed based on their environmental compartments (marine, freshwater, air, and terrestrial) and matrices (sediments, water columns, biota, soil, etc.). Then, the MP concentrations and polymer types were utilized to conduct a risk assessment to provide a critical analysis of the data. The highest MP concentrations recorded in the marine water column and sediments were in the Mediterranean Sea in Tunisia with 400 items/m and 7960 items/kg of sediments, respectively. The number of MPs in biota ranged between 0 and 7525 per individual across all the aquatic compartments. For the air compartment, a school classroom had 56,000 items/g of dust in Iran due to the confined space. Very high risks in the sediment samples (Er > 1500) were recorded in the Caspian Sea and Arab/Persian Gulf due to their closed or semi-closed nature that promotes sedimentation. The risk factors obtained are sensitive to the reference concentration which calls for the development of more reliable risk assessment approaches. Finally, more studies are needed in understudied MENA environmental compartments such as groundwater, deserts, and estuaries.
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Perspectives on transport pathways of microplastics across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region
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Researchers reviewed how microplastics move through the Middle East and North Africa region, tracing ocean currents and wind patterns across the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, and Mediterranean Sea to map seasonal delivery patterns. The analysis reveals that transport routes vary significantly by location and season, providing guidance for governments and researchers developing pollution mitigation strategies.
Monitoring and Assessment of Environmental Pollution by Micro- and Nano-Plastics in the Arab Region
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This technical report assesses environmental pollution by micro- and nanoplastics across the Arab region, prepared by the Emerging Pollutant Network under the Arab Science and Technology Foundation. Researchers synthesized scientific evidence on contamination sources, distribution, and health impacts across marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments in multiple Arab countries. The report identifies critical gaps in regional monitoring capacity and recommends coordinated research and policy efforts to address plastic pollution.
Monitoring and Assessment of Environmental Pollution by Micro- and Nano-Plastics in the Arab Region
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This technical report provides a comprehensive assessment of microplastic and nanoplastic pollution across the Arab region, synthesizing peer-reviewed evidence on contamination in marine, freshwater, terrestrial, and urban environments. Researchers compiled monitoring data from multiple Arab countries, documenting contamination levels in seawater, sediments, soils, wastewater, and commercially important fish species. The report identifies significant regional data gaps and calls for harmonized monitoring approaches to better understand the scope of plastic pollution in the region.
Emerging contaminants in the water bodies of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA): A critical review
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This review surveys emerging contaminants in water bodies across the Middle East and North Africa region, including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, pesticides, and microplastics. Researchers found that data on these contaminants is sparse and unevenly distributed across the region, with some countries having almost no monitoring data. The study emphasizes the urgent need for comprehensive water quality monitoring programs to assess the environmental and health risks posed by these pollutants in MENA water resources.
An assessment of microplastics threat to the marine environment: A short review in context of the Arabian/Persian Gulf
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This review assessed the threat of microplastics to the marine environment of the Arabian/Persian Gulf, highlighting the scarcity of regional data despite high plastic use and waste generation rates in the area, and calling for more systematic research efforts in this understudied region.
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