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First investigation of microplastic pollution in Monastir Sea surface water (eastern Tunisia)
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Researchers conducted the first investigation of microplastic pollution in the surface waters of Monastir, Tunisia, finding particles ranging from 0.31 to 4.9 mm, predominantly white fragments of high-density polyethylene and polyethylene. Concentrations were notably higher near a tourist marina, suggesting local urban and maritime sources.
In the framework of COMMON MED-project, a sampling campaign was carried out during December 2020 along two radials namely: T1 and T2. The findings showed that microplastic particles (MPs), ranging from 0.31 to 4.9 mm. For all samples, white color and fragments are the most common. As well, HDPE and PE are the predominant polymers. The concentrations of MPs varied between 62,095,032 and 260,979,12 items/km² with a density of 4 times greater in the T2 radial, which shows the influence of urban and marina origin on plastic contamination among seaside tourist one.
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Researchers sampled surface water in a Mediterranean bay in Morocco over three years and found microplastics at concentrations up to 15 particles per cubic meter, with polyethylene being the most common polymer — providing the first baseline data on microplastic pollution along Morocco's Mediterranean coastline.
Characterization and distribution of microplastics on the beaches of Southern Tunisia: a case study of the Island of Djerba
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Characterization of microplastics in the surface waters of an urban lagoon (Bizerte lagoon, Southern Mediterranean Sea): Composition, density, distribution, and influence of environmental factors
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Researchers characterized microplastics in the surface waters of Bizerte Lagoon in Tunisia, documenting composition, density, and spatial distribution while finding that environmental factors including wind direction, rainfall, and proximity to urban inputs significantly influenced microplastic concentration patterns in this semi-enclosed Mediterranean coastal system.
Assessment of the abundance of microplastics in surface waters, identification and characterization
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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.