We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Occurrence and characterization of microplastic and mesoplastic pollution in the Migliarino San Rossore, Massaciuccoli Nature Park (Italy)
Summary
Microplastic and mesoplastic particles were documented in sand samples from the Migliarino San Rossore Massaciuccoli Nature Park in Italy before and after summer tourist season, with post-season samples containing higher concentrations, linking beach tourism to elevated plastic deposition even within protected natural areas.
Microplastics pollution is progressively threatening natural parks across the world. In the framework of monitoring this concerning trend, the present study focuses on the occurrence and identification of mesoplastics (MEPs) and microplastics (MPs) in sand samples collected before and after the summer season from the beach of the Nature Park of Migliarino San Rossore Massaciuccoli (Pisa, Italy). Meso- and microplastics were identified using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy 2D Imaging, and detected in all samples with average concentrations of 207 ± 30 MPs/kg d.w., and 100 ± 44 MEPs/kg d.w., respectively. Seasonal changes of flow of the Arno River, industrial activities, and urban footprint were considered as the major sources of plastic pollution. Our results showed the occurrence of both natural and synthetic polymers including cellulose, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamides, polyethylene terephthalate, and acrylonitrile.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Short-term tourism alters abundance, size, and composition of microplastics on sandy beaches
Researchers sampled microplastics on nine sandy beaches along the Turkish Black Sea coast before and after the tourism season and found that tourist activity significantly increased microplastic abundance, altered size distributions, and changed polymer composition. The results provide direct field evidence that recreational beach use is a local source of microplastic pollution.
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
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.
Seasonal and Cross-Shore Assessment of Large and Small Microplastics Collected on the Ferrara Coast (Italy)
A seasonal survey of the Ferrara coastline in northern Italy found large microplastics (averaging 5.66 per square meter) and far more abundant small microplastics (averaging 2,402 per square meter), with concentrations lowest in winter and highest accumulation at dune foot and crest positions. Polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyester dominated the larger particles, while small black fibers dominated the smaller fraction, likely from river and urban sources including plastic-processing industries near the Po River. This study contributes to understanding how microplastics distribute across beach profiles over time—useful for designing targeted cleanup interventions.
Spatio-temporal variation and ecological risk assessment of microplastics along the touristic beaches of a mediterranean coast transect (Valencia province, East Spain)
Researchers sampled microplastics from seven tourist beaches along Spain's Valencia coast in both winter and summer and found contamination levels nearly five times higher during the summer tourism season. Fibers were the most common type of microplastic, and polyethylene and halogenated polystyrene from food packaging were the dominant polymers identified. The study raises questions about whether current beach cleaning practices are sufficient to address microplastic pollution.
Microplastic levels on sandy beaches: Are tourism and coastal recreational activities effects really important?
Researchers assessed microplastic levels at six sites across three Argentine sandy beaches with varying tourism intensity, finding concentrations averaged 1,133 items/kg in sand and 12.7 items/m3 in seawater, dominated by PE films and PET/cotton fibers. Contrary to expectations, the highest microplastic concentrations and smallest particles were found at a low-activity 'pristine' site, suggesting river proximity and coastal drift rather than tourism are the dominant local pollution drivers.