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The distribution of microplastics in the surface layer of the Atlantic Ocean from the subtropics to the equator according to visual analysis
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This study measured plastic particle contamination in Atlantic Ocean surface water from subtropical to equatorial latitudes, finding microplastics at nearly every sampling site. The results reinforce that microplastic pollution is pervasive throughout the open ocean, far from coastal pollution sources.
This study reports the levels of plastic contamination in the Atlantic Ocean between 35°N and 32°S during the 1st stage of the 79th cruise of the "Akademik Mstislav Keldysh" from December 12, 2019, to January 4, 2020. A subsurface pump system and a Manta net were used for seawater filtration. Twenty-seven samples were visually analyzed with a microscope. It was found that almost every subsurface sample contained potentially plastic particles, which were classified according to their type and size. Plastic fragments were more commonly found in the samples taken from the surface. In the subsurface layer, the majority of the detected particles were fibers. These results also indicate that minimal concentrations of plastics tend to be found near the equator and to the north of the Canary Islands. The maximum microplastic concentrations were found in tropical zones. The obtained results are in good agreement with previous models and field studies.
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Microplastics pollution in North and South Atlantic Ocean surface waters
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Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in surface waters during a transect voyage across the North and South Atlantic Ocean, finding particles at nearly all stations sampled. The results contribute to understanding the distribution and abundance of microplastics across the full latitudinal range of the Atlantic basin.
Microplastic abundance, distribution and composition along a latitudinal gradient in the Atlantic Ocean
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Researchers sampled sub-surface waters along a transect from the Bay of Biscay to Cape Town and found microplastics throughout the Atlantic Ocean, with the highest concentrations in the subtropical gyres. The study documents the latitudinal gradient of microplastic distribution in the Atlantic and identifies accumulation zones far from land.
Microplastics in coastal and marine environments of the western tropical and sub-tropical Atlantic Ocean
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Microplastics were documented throughout coastal and marine environments across the western tropical and subtropical Atlantic Ocean, including both surface waters and sediments. The review confirms that plastic pollution has spread widely through this large and ecologically important ocean region, with uncertain but potentially significant consequences for marine life and human communities.
Nanoplastic in the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre
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Researchers detected and characterized nanoplastics in the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre, providing some of the first direct evidence that nanoplastic-sized particles are present in open ocean surface waters far from coastlines.
Abundance, size and polymer composition of marine microplastics ≥ 10 μm in the Atlantic Ocean and their modelled vertical distribution
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Researchers measured the abundance, size distribution, and polymer composition of microplastics 10 micrometers and larger in the Atlantic Ocean, finding widespread contamination and providing data that helps fill gaps in understanding smaller particle fractions.
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.