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Environmental status of (micro)plastics contamination in Portugal
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This is the first comprehensive review of plastic and microplastic contamination in Portugal, finding that thousands of tons of mismanaged waste and trillions of microplastic particles enter the environment annually. Northern and urban regions are most contaminated, with documented impacts on marine life and fisheries.
Plastics and microplastics are ubiquitous contaminants in aquatic ecosystems. This critical review is the first attempt at analyzing sources, concentration, impacts and solutions of (micro)plastic litter in Portugal based on all currently available literature. We found that, besides sea-based sources (e.g. shipping, fishing), 5717 t of mismanaged waste and 4.1 trillion microplastics from wastewater, mostly from untreated wastewater, are released to the environment every year. The highest concentrations are found in the North, Center and Lisbon regions, mostly comprised of consumer products, fishing gear and microplastics (<5 mm), especially fragments and pellets. This contamination has resulted in ingestion of plastics by organisms, including mussels, fishes, birds and turtles. Thus, every Portuguese citizen may consume 1440 microplastics a year based on the consumption of mollusks. Awareness campaigns, improvements in waste management and reductions in the release of untreated wastewater are recommended measures to reduce plastic pollution in Portugal.
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Microplastics contamination along the coastal waters of NW Portugal
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Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination across four coastal sites in northwest Portugal — including a marine protected area, an estuary, a shipwreck, and a marina — finding microplastics everywhere, with higher concentrations near fishing and shipping activities. Polyethylene and polypropylene fibers and films dominated, highlighting the widespread reach of plastic pollution even in protected areas.
Microplastics on the Portuguese coast
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Researchers analysed marine litter across 11 Portuguese beaches over two years and found that 99% of all collected items were plastic, with 68% classified as microplastics under 5 mm and resin pellets comprising 79% of microplastics near industrial areas. Higher concentrations were observed in winter and autumn, near industrial zones and ports, suggesting a predominantly land-based origin.
Microplastics as Indicators of Environmental Pollution and Their Effects on Organisms
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This Portuguese-language review examines microplastics as indicators of environmental pollution and their effects on aquatic organisms. It highlights how improper disposal of plastic waste leads to microplastic accumulation in water bodies, threatening marine and freshwater life.
Efeitos dos Microplásticos
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This article reviews the effects of microplastics on organisms and ecosystems, summarizing ecotoxicological evidence from studies on marine and freshwater species as well as emerging data on human exposure. The review is written in Portuguese and covers impacts ranging from physical ingestion effects to chemical toxicity from plastic-associated compounds.
Distribution Patterns of Microplastics in Seawater Surface at a Portuguese Estuary and Marine Park
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This study measured microplastic levels in surface seawater at a Portuguese estuary and marine park, finding contamination at all sites with the highest levels near populated areas. Floating microplastics accumulate in coastal feeding zones used by filter feeders and other marine organisms, making these areas ecological hotspots for plastic exposure.
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.