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Factors driving the abundance and distribution of microplastics on sandy beaches in a Southwest Atlantic seaside resort
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Researchers investigated factors driving microplastic abundance on sandy beaches along the Southwest Atlantic coast, finding that both natural forces like wave energy and anthropogenic inputs influenced the distribution of fiber and fragment microplastics in surface sediments.
Microplastics are currently considered widespread marine pollutants, accumulating in sediments and shorelines around the world. Spatial distribution of microplastics in marine sediments is consequence of a combination of multiple factors (naturals and anthropics). We evaluated the drivers' factors of the abundance and distribution of two microplastics morphotypes (fibers and fragments) in surface sediments (5 cm deep) on SW Atlantic beaches with different plastics waste contribution along the coastline. Beach geomorphology, sediment grain size, distance to the urban area, continental waters discharge and human activities were the analyzed factors. Fibers abundance was significantly highest in pocket beaches, moderately exposed and closest to the urban center, while the fragments abundance was highest in beaches with stormwater outfall. The fine sand and the high recreational level were also factors driving the abundance of both morphotypes. Therefore, plastic morphotype and abundance vary according to the determining factors.
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Relationships between sediment size distribution and microplastic abundance and characteristics along the strandline of a sandy embayment (Whitsand, Southwest England)
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Researchers analyzed the relationship between sediment characteristics and microplastic distribution along a beach in southwest England. They found that microplastic abundance and type varied significantly across the strandline, with larger microplastics being more prevalent in coarser sediments. The study provides evidence that local sediment dynamics play an important role in determining where microplastics accumulate on sandy beaches.
A Comprehensive Review on Microplastic in Beach Sediment
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This review synthesises global data from approximately 1,700 beaches worldwide to characterise the occurrence, spatiotemporal distribution, sources, transport, and accumulation of microplastics in beach sediment, highlighting how external environmental forces, internal beach mechanisms, and local morphological characteristics govern microplastic 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.