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Seasonal tendencies of microplastics around coral reefs in selected Marine Protected National Parks of Gulf of California, Mexico
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Researchers examined seasonal microplastic occurrence in coral reef sediments at two marine protected national parks in the Gulf of California, Mexico, finding higher concentrations at Cabo Pulmo (avg. 680 items/100g d.w.) than Espiritu Santo Island (avg. 322 items/100g d.w.). SEM/EDS analysis revealed that surface-altered microplastics of various sizes and shapes are bioavailable to marine organisms regardless of their physical characteristics.
This study focuses on the presence of MPs in the sediment beds around coral reefs of MPNPs in Baja California Sur, México. Based on seasonal sampling results, comparison of MPs from Cabo Pulmo (avg. 680.25 items/100 g d.w) recorded higher values than Espiritu Santo Island (avg. 321.75 items/100 g d.w) from backshore/foreshore regions. Fibrous MPs are the dominant morphotypes followed by fragments and spheres. SEM/EDS analysis revealed that the MPs are altered texturally in surface and is bioavailable to marine organisms independent of size/shape. FTIR analysis indicate different polymers (in %) in the form of PP (70), PET (65), HDPE (59), LDPE (50), PS (30), PC (18), PU (10) and RYN (10). Most of the MPs are secondary in origin resulting from man-made and tourist's activities controlled by wave transportation and tidal currents. Existence of MPs in sediment beds around the coral reefs signals the ways for future investigations.
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Seasonal Tendencies of Microplastics around Coral Reefs in Selected Marine Protected National Parks of Gulf of California, Mexico
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This is a conference poster abstract describing a study on the seasonal distribution patterns of microplastics around coral reefs in Marine Protected Areas in the Gulf of California, Mexico. It does not present detailed findings but indicates research is ongoing on microplastic contamination in this protected marine environment.
Seasonal evidences of microplastics in environmental matrices of a tourist dominated urban estuary in Gulf of Mexico, Mexico
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Spatial and seasonal variations in microplastic abundance were examined across water, sediments, and commercial fish in a tourist-impacted estuary in the Gulf of Mexico, finding peak contamination during dry season and at sites closest to urban and fishing activities.
Microplastic contamination and fluxes in a touristic area at the SE Gulf of California
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Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in beach sands, surface waters, and sediment traps in the tourist city of Mazatlan, Mexico, finding higher concentrations during the rainy season and in urban areas, with polyethylene and polypropylene fragments being the most abundant types.
Assessment of microplastic pollution in corals, seawater, and marine sediments in the Gulf of Thailand
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Researchers assessed microplastic occurrence, abundance, and characteristics in coral, seawater, and sediment samples from two reef sites in the Gulf of Thailand, detecting microplastics in all coral samples at concentrations ranging from 0.24 to 2.60 particles per gram and finding spatial variability across reef species and sites.
Seasonal Variations in the Abundance and Characteristics of Microplastics in the Coatzacoalcos Beach Sediments, Southwestern Gulf of Mexico
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Beach sand from Coatzacoalcos, Mexico was tested for tiny plastic pieces in both dry and rainy seasons. More microplastics were found during the rainy season than the dry season, with differences in plastic type and surface wear likely linked to rainfall, river flow, and ocean currents.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.