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Microplastic distribution, abundance, and composition in the sediments, water, and fishes of the Red and Mediterranean seas, Egypt
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Microplastics were found in surface water, sediment, and fish tissues across Red Sea and Mediterranean sites in Egypt, with the highest concentrations near ports and river mouths, and polyethylene and polypropylene dominating the polymer composition in both water bodies.
This study records the extent of microplastics (MPs) in the surface water, sediments, and fishes of the Mediterranean and Red seas in Egypt. In sediment and water samples, the Ras Gharib station in the Red sea and Damietta and Port Said stations in the Mediterranean sea exhibited the highest microplastic abundance, while the lowest concentration was found in the Ain Sukhna station in the Red Sea and Marsa Matruh station in the Mediterranean sea. Rayon and polyethylene terephthalate were the most frequently found polymers in fishes. The results highlighted the abundant existence of microplastics in sediments, water, and fishes of the Mediterranean and Red seas, thereby improving our understanding of the environmental risks posed by microplastics to fisheries and marine ecosystems and the need for measures to diminish the flux of plastics to the marine settings.
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Distribution, abundance, and composition of microplastics in market fishes from the Red and Mediterranean seas in Egypt
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Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in commercially sold fish from both the Mediterranean and Red seas in Egypt and found microplastics in 88 percent of the fish examined. Fibers were the most common particle type, and species that feed closer to the seafloor tended to have higher contamination levels. The study raises concerns about human dietary exposure to microplastics through regularly consumed market fish in the region.
Quantifying microplastics pollution in the Red Sea and Gulfs of Suez and Aqaba: Insights from chemical analysis and pollution load assessment
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This first comprehensive survey of microplastic pollution along Egyptian Red Sea shores found mostly low to medium levels of plastic contamination, with a marine protected area (Ras Mohamed) showing surprisingly high vulnerability. All particles were secondary fragments of weathered plastic, primarily polyethylene and polypropylene, linked mainly to maritime cargo and recreational boat traffic rather than land-based waste. The findings fill a significant geographic gap in global microplastic monitoring and highlight tourism and shipping as key management targets in this ecologically sensitive and endemic-rich region.
Microplastic in the gastrointestinal tract of fishes along the Saudi Arabian Red Sea coast
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Researchers examined the gastrointestinal tracts of 178 fish from 26 species along the Saudi Arabian Red Sea coast and found microplastic fragments in multiple species, predominantly as films and fishing thread. The most common polymers identified were polypropylene and polyethylene, indicating that microplastic ingestion by fish is occurring across diverse habitats in the Red Sea.
Microplastics in sediments and fish from the Red Sea coast at Jeddah (Saudi Arabia)
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Microplastics were found in nearshore sediments at all sampled stations along the Jeddah coast of Saudi Arabia's Red Sea, and in about half of 140 sampled fish. The findings demonstrate that even the Red Sea — an important but less-studied ocean region — is experiencing widespread microplastic contamination.
Microplastics Pollution in Aquatic Environment: A Review of Abundance, Distribution, and Composition in the Egyptian Coastal Waters
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This review compiles data on microplastic pollution across Egypt's Mediterranean coast, the Nile River, and the Red Sea, all of which face significant plastic contamination. Researchers found that the Mediterranean is a global hotspot for marine plastic accumulation, while the Nile acts as a major conduit for plastics entering the eastern Mediterranean basin. The study calls for more systematic monitoring to understand the full scope of microplastic pollution in Egyptian waters.
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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.