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Microplastic pollution in the intertidal and subtidal sediments of Vava'u, Tonga
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Researchers documented microplastic contamination in intertidal and subtidal sediments of the Vava'u archipelago in Tonga, providing the first baseline data for the South Pacific island nation using a low-cost density-separation method adaptable for resource-limited settings.
Plastic pollution research on a global scale intensified considerably in the current decade; however, research efforts in the South Pacific are still lagging. Here, we report on microplastic contamination of intertidal and subtidal sediments in the Vava'u archipelago, Tonga. While providing the first baseline data of its type in Tonga, the study also advances methods and adjusts them for low-budget research. The methods were based on density separation of microplastics from the sediment using CaCl, a high-density salt which due to its high solubility, low cost and availability. Once separated, microplastics were quantified by microscopic analysis and polymers characterized via FTIR spectroscopy. Microplastics in intertidal and subtidal sediments were found in concentrations of 23.5 ± 1.9 and 15.0 ± 1.9 particles L of sediment, respectively. The dominant type of microplastics in both intertidal (85 %) and subtidal sediments (62 %) were fibres.
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Microplastic pollution in the surface waters of Vava'u, Tonga
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Researchers found high concentrations of microplastics — over 329,000 pieces per square kilometer — in the surface waters of Tonga's Vava'u archipelago, with a significant proportion of particles smaller than 300 micrometers that would be missed by standard sampling nets.
Plastic pollution in Leeward, Moorea and Cook islands (South Pacific): A baseline study
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Researchers conducted a baseline survey of beach macrolitter and microplastics in surface waters and sediments across six islands in French Polynesia and the Cook Islands, finding high macroplastic contamination on most beaches with densities of 18-58 items per 100 meters. Surface water microplastic concentrations were low (0-4668 particles per km), suggesting localized contamination linked to tourism and coastal activities rather than widespread oceanic inputs.
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Researchers conducted the first assessment of microplastic levels in surface water, sediments, and fish from the urban coastal environment of Suva, Fiji. The study confirmed the presence of microplastics across all three matrices in this Pacific small island developing state, and evaluated contributions from local sources including wastewater, highlighting that microplastic pollution affects even remote island nations.
Preliminary Assessment into the Prevalence and Distribution of Microplastics in North and South Pacific Island Beaches
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Researchers conducted a preliminary investigation into microplastic prevalence on eight beaches across North and South Pacific Island locations in New Zealand and Hawaii, analyzing contamination as a function of beach location, sand type, and microplastic morphology. The study found microplastics at all eight sites, highlighting the widespread distribution of plastic pollution across remote Pacific Island shorelines.
Unveiling Microplastic Abundance and Distribution in an Oceanic Island: Offshore Depository or Local Pollution Indicator
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Microplastic abundance and distribution were documented across surface waters and sediments of an oceanic island, with findings indicating both local land-based pollution and ocean gyre-driven deposition of particles from distant sources.
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.