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Quarterly variability of floating plastic debris in the marine protected area of the Menorca Channel (Spain)
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Floating plastic debris was monitored quarterly over a year in a marine protected area in the Menorca Channel (Spain), revealing seasonal variation tied to wind patterns and ocean currents. Even protected marine areas are not shielded from plastic pollution, with peaks in certain seasons.
Plastic pollution is widespread in all the oceans and seas, representing a significant threat to most of their ecosystems even in marine protected areas (MPAs). This study determines the floating plastic distribution in four different periods between 2014 and 2015 in the recently approved Menorca Channel MPA (Balearic Islands). Plastic debris were persistent during all sampling periods on the surface of the Channel, composed mainly by the microplastic sizes. Average particle abundances ranged from 138,293 items⋅km in autumn to 347,793 items⋅km during the spring, while weight densities varied from 458.15 g(DW)⋅km in winter to 2016.67 g(DW)⋅km in summer. Rigid plastics were the most frequent particles in all the periods analysed (from 89.40%-winter to 94.54%-spring). The high-resolution and particle distribution models corroborated that the oceanographic variability shapes different patterns of presence of plastics, and in particular the existence of areas with almost no plastics.
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Researchers analyzed a decade of sea-cleaning boat records from the Balearic Islands and found that plastics made up more than half of all floating coastal debris removed, with concentrations peaking in August and clustering in the northwest and southeast coastal zones.
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Researchers tracked micro- and mesoplastics in a coastal bay in northwestern Spain over a full year, finding plastic pollution in all seasons. Concentration varied with weather and oceanographic conditions, highlighting the dynamic nature of coastal plastic contamination.
Monitoring microplastics in coastal waters of a biosphere reserve: a case study in Menorca (Spain)
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Researchers sampled surface waters at 90 sites around the UNESCO-protected island of Menorca, Spain, finding microplastics in every single sample at consistent levels across two years. Fiber-type plastics dominated everywhere except the commercial port, where packaging foam made up nearly half of all particles — pointing to shipping activity as a local source. The study establishes a harmonized monitoring baseline useful for tracking whether EU marine pollution policies are actually working.
Composition of Floating Marine Litter in Port Areas of the Island of Mallorca
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Researchers examined floating marine litter composition in two Mallorca port areas using seabin devices over May–September 2021, collecting 15,899 items and 336 kg of litter and finding that microplastics dominated at 60.8% of all collected material, with seasonal peaks in May and significantly higher collection in Port de Cristo.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.