We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Hydrometeorological assessments of the transport of microplastic pellets in the Eastern Mediterranean
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastic pellets were sampled at 13 coastal beaches in Iskenderun Bay, Turkey in May and November 2018, with pellet pollution indices calculated and hydrometeorological conditions including wind speed and wave energy analyzed as drivers of pellet distribution. The study finds that weather and oceanographic conditions during the survey period strongly influenced where pellets accumulated on beaches.
Microplastic pellets were sampled in May and November 2018 during one-week surveys at 13 coastal beaches in Iskenderun Bay/Turkey. Pellet pollution index (PPI) was calculated for the beaches as a tool to assess beach pollution by microplastic pellets. Hydrometeorological conditions, including wind, current, wave, surface run-off, and precipitation, were examined during 2018 to reveal the effect on the transport of microplastic pellets within the study area. Sea-surface heights, including the astronomical tide and the storm surge and the wave runup heights, were also considered in the analysis to study the extent of hydrodynamic forcing on the beach. Hydrometeorological assessments indicated that the pellet concentrations in the coastal zone are mostly related to wind-induced transport. Three major river discharges are considered as the main source of microplastic pellets effluents. A Lagrangian particle transport model was conducted to reveal the possible beaching hotspots of microplastic pellets released from these river mouths. Average microplastic pellets were calculated as 126.04 ± 54.08 items/m for May 2018 and 70.22 ± 18.25 items/m for November 2018. An overall mean PPI for May 2018 was calculated as 1.13, indicating a moderate degree of pellet pollution, and 0.56 for November 2018, indicating a low degree of pellet pollution. The simulations showed that Orontes River effluents affected the inner Iskenderun Bay coasts more than the Seyhan and Ceyhan River.
More Papers Like This
Changes in (micro and macro) plastic pollution in the sediment of three sandy beaches in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, in relation to seasonality, beach use and granulometry
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured plastic and microplastic pollution in sediment from three Mediterranean beaches across seasons, finding that smaller microplastics accumulate at the backshore while larger items concentrate near the waterline. Seasonal patterns and beach use intensity affected plastic abundance, with implications for beach management and cleanup strategies.
An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that micro- and mesoplastic debris were widely and uniformly distributed across the Western Mediterranean Sea, with average surface concentrations of approximately 130,000 microplastic particles per km2 and 5,700 mesoplastic particles per km2. Fragment morphology and polymer composition analysis indicated a predominantly land-based origin for the debris.
Rainfall and Tidal Cycle Regulate Seasonal Inputs of Microplastic Pellets to Sandy Beaches
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers assessed how rainfall and tidal cycles regulate seasonal inputs of microplastic pellets to sandy beaches at regional and local scales, using pellets as a proxy pollutant to quantify spatio-temporal variation in stranding patterns near port facilities and industrial sites. Results showed that rainfall-driven runoff and tidal dynamics are primary controls on pellet delivery to beaches, with implications for managing industrial microplastic releases to coastal environments.
Microlitter occurrence, distribution, and summertime transport trajectories in the coastal waters of the north-eastern Tyrrhenian Sea (Italy)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers assessed microlitter abundance and distribution in surface and subsurface waters of the northern Tyrrhenian Sea coast of Italy, using particle tracking to model summertime transport trajectories and identify the main pathways for microlitter dispersion in coastal zones.
Microplastic accumulation dynamics in two Mediterranean beaches with contrasting inputs
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers monitored microplastic accumulation dynamics on two Mediterranean beaches with contrasting human pressures over multiple seasons, finding that beaches near urban areas accumulated MPs faster and showed greater concentration variability. Short-term accumulation events tied to storms and wind patterns were identified as key drivers of MP deposition.
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.