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Tier 2
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Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence.
Environmental Sources
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Proximity to coast and major rivers influence the density of floating microplastics and other litter in east African coastal waters
Marine Pollution Bulletin2023
19 citations
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Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count.
Score: 45
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0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Peter G. Ryan
Giuseppe Suaria,
Giuseppe Suaria,
Vincenzo Donnarumma,
Giuseppe Suaria,
Peter G. Ryan
Giuseppe Suaria,
Giuseppe Suaria,
Vincenzo Donnarumma,
Giuseppe Suaria,
Giuseppe Suaria,
Giuseppe Suaria,
Peter G. Ryan
Giuseppe Suaria,
Giuseppe Suaria,
Giuseppe Suaria,
Giuseppe Suaria,
Giuseppe Suaria,
Giuseppe Suaria,
Giuseppe Suaria,
Peter G. Ryan
Peter G. Ryan
Peter G. Ryan
Peter G. Ryan
Eleanor A. Weideman,
Eleanor A. Weideman,
Eleanor A. Weideman,
Eleanor A. Weideman,
Vonica Perold,
Vonica Perold,
Eleanor A. Weideman,
Eleanor A. Weideman,
Vonica Perold,
Peter G. Ryan
Giuseppe Suaria,
Giuseppe Suaria,
Giuseppe Suaria,
Giuseppe Suaria,
Peter G. Ryan
Giuseppe Suaria,
Vincenzo Donnarumma,
Vincenzo Donnarumma,
Vincenzo Donnarumma,
Vincenzo Donnarumma,
Giuseppe Suaria,
Giuseppe Suaria,
Vonica Perold,
Vincenzo Donnarumma,
Peter G. Ryan
Giuseppe Suaria,
Giuseppe Suaria,
Vincenzo Donnarumma,
Peter G. Ryan
Peter G. Ryan
Eleanor A. Weideman,
Peter G. Ryan
Vonica Perold,
Vonica Perold,
Vonica Perold,
Vonica Perold,
Vonica Perold,
Vonica Perold,
Giuseppe Suaria,
Giuseppe Suaria,
Giuseppe Suaria,
Peter G. Ryan
Giuseppe Suaria,
Giuseppe Suaria,
Peter G. Ryan
Peter G. Ryan
Peter G. Ryan
Peter G. Ryan
Giuseppe Suaria,
Giuseppe Suaria,
Giuseppe Suaria,
Peter G. Ryan
Peter G. Ryan
Peter G. Ryan
Peter G. Ryan
Vincenzo Donnarumma,
Peter G. Ryan
Giuseppe Suaria,
Giuseppe Suaria,
Vincenzo Donnarumma,
Peter G. Ryan
Giuseppe Suaria,
Giuseppe Suaria,
Giuseppe Suaria,
Giuseppe Suaria,
Peter G. Ryan
Giuseppe Suaria,
Peter G. Ryan
Peter G. Ryan
Giuseppe Suaria,
Peter G. Ryan
Summary
Using neuston net and bulk water sampling off the east African coast, this study found that proximity to coast and major rivers strongly predicted floating microplastic and litter density, with concentrations far exceeding open ocean background levels near populated coastal zones.
Study Type
Environmental
Floating anthropogenic litter occurs in all ocean basins, yet little is known about their distribution and abundance in the coastal waters off east Africa. Neuston net and bulk water sampling shows that meso- and micro-litter (8567 ± 19,684 items∙km, 44 ± 195 g∙km) and microfibres (2.4 ± 2.6 fibres∙L) are pervasive pollutants off the coasts of Tanzania and northern Mozambique, with higher litter loads off Tanzania. Densities of meso- and micro-litter at the start of the rainy season were greater close to the coast and to major river mouths, suggesting that much litter likely originates on land. However, the mass of litter increased with distance from the six major coastal cities. By number, 95% of meso- and micro-litter was plastic, but only 6% of microfibres. Our results highlight the need to reduce plastic use and improve solid waste management in the region.