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First Observations and Monitoring of Microplastics on Oceanic and Coastal Waters off the Canary Islands (Subtropical NE Atlantic)
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Researchers conducted some of the first systematic monitoring of microplastics in ocean and coastal waters around the Canary Islands, highlighting the challenge of designing sampling methods that can capture microplastic distribution across large open-ocean areas and calling for standardized monitoring approaches.
Broad scale sampling methods for microplastic monitoring in open ocean waters remain a challenge in oceanography. A large amount of samples is required to understand distribution, abundance and fate of microplastic particles in the environment.
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Microplastics in the pelagic environment around oceanic islands of the Western Tropical Atlantic Ocean
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Researchers confirmed for the first time that microplastic pollution is present in the surface waters around three ecologically important island groups in the tropical western Atlantic Ocean. The particles — including fragments, films, paint chips, and fibers — come from both land and ocean sources, threatening marine species in these sensitive ecosystems.
Analysis of Marine Microplastics in the Water Column Sampled up to 300 M Depth
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Researchers sampled ocean water down to 300 meters depth and detected microplastics throughout the water column, demonstrating that plastic pollution extends well below the surface and is not limited to the shallow or coastal zones most commonly studied.
Microplastics hot spots at the South Iberian Margin
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Researchers found microplastic "hot spots" along Portugal's southern coast, where tiny plastic particles were found in sand, seawater, and mussels, a popular seafood, with sediment levels up to 1,000 times higher than in water. Since mussels are filter feeders that absorb whatever's in the water around them, this matters because it means the seafood we eat may carry plastic contamination linked to nearby human activity and river pollution, though more research is needed to understand the direct health impacts of consuming these particles.
Floating Microplastics in the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea: Temporal and Spatial Heterogeneities
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Floating microplastic concentrations in the northwestern Mediterranean showed significant spatial and temporal variation at small scales near coastal river mouths, with levels spiking after rainfall events that flush plastics from land into the sea. This heterogeneity means that single-point measurements dramatically underestimate total microplastic loads, calling for more intensive and dynamic monitoring strategies in heavily polluted enclosed seas.
Occurrence of Microplastic Pollution in Marine Water
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Marine microplastic accumulation, estimated at over 250,000 tons in ocean environments, is driven by fragmentation of larger plastic debris and represents a persistent and growing contamination challenge. These particles are ingested by marine organisms across food web levels, raising concerns about biomagnification and human dietary 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.