We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Monitoring of meso and microplastic debris in Playa Grande beach (Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain) during a moon cycle
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastic monitoring over a lunar cycle at a Canary Islands beach found no relationship between plastic abundance and moon phase or tidal patterns, suggesting local sources dominate over tidal transport at this site. Polypropylene and polyethylene fragments together accounted for 95% of the particles found.
The occurrence and composition of meso (5-25 mm) and microplastics (1-5 mm) in Playa Grande beach (Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain) was monitored during a complete moon cycle on the different moon phases between 17 June and 16July 2019. A total of 10 points were sampled each day finding an average content of mesoplastics of 18 g/m (0.36 g/L) and of microplastics of 13 g/m (1277 items/m or 1.6 g/L). Polypropylene and polyethylene accounted for 19% and 76% of the total, respectively. Tar was also found in the 1-5 mm fraction (2% of the total). Among the particles found, 83% were fragments, 11% pellets, 4% fibres and 2% films. The obtained results revealed that microplastic presence could not be related in this case with the tides but with the orientation and strength/speed of the wind.
More Papers Like This
Microplastic debris in beaches of Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers surveyed microplastic abundance and composition at six beaches on Tenerife in the Canary Islands, finding widespread contamination with pellets and fragments dominated by polyethylene and polypropylene, with higher concentrations on exposed north-coast beaches.
Microplastic and tar pollution on three Canary Islands beaches: An annual study
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers monitored large microplastics, mesoplastics, and tar pollution across three exposed Canary Islands beaches for a full year, finding great spatial and temporal variability in debris concentrations driven by seasonal patterns and local oceanographic conditions.
Study of plastic pollution and its potential sources on Gran Canaria Island beaches (Canary Islands, Spain)
AI summary Read the abstract
A study of Gran Canaria beaches found that larger microplastic and mesoplastic fragments are primarily of foreign origin transported by currents, while smaller synthetic fibers are locally produced. The findings have implications for designing targeted policies to reduce microplastic pollution from both imported and locally generated sources.
Microplastic and mesoplastic pollution in surface waters and beaches of the Canary Islands: A review
AI summary Read the abstract
This review assesses a decade of research on microplastic and mesoplastic pollution in the waters and beaches of the Canary Islands. The study highlights how the archipelago's position in the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre makes it particularly vulnerable to oceanic transport of plastic debris from remote sources.
Results of a three-year monitoring study of two hotspots of massive arrival of microplastics in the Canary Islands (Spain): Playa Grande (Tenerife) and Arenas Blancas (El Hierro)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted a three-year monitoring study at two hotspot beaches on the Canary Islands -- Playa Grande (Tenerife) and Arenas Blancas (El Hierro) -- documenting the massive and recurring arrival of microplastics to inform targeted clean-up operations and mitigation strategies.
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.