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The true depth of the Mediterranean plastic problem: Extreme microplastic pollution on marine turtle nesting beaches in Cyprus
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Researchers found extreme microplastic pollution at 17 sea turtle nesting sites in Cyprus, with all locations contaminated at all depths and mean particle counts reaching 45,497 per m2 in the top 2 cm of sand, revealing severe plastic contamination at critical habitat for loggerhead and green turtles.
We sampled 17 nesting sites for loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in Cyprus. Microplastics (<5 mm) were found at all locations and depths, with particularly high abundance in superficial sand. The top 2 cm of sand presented grand mean ± SD particle counts of 45,497 ± 11,456 particles m (range 637-131,939 particles m). The most polluted beaches were among the worst thus far recorded, presenting levels approaching those previously recorded in Guangdong, South China. Microplastics decreased with increasing sand depth but were present down to turtle nest depths of 60 cm (mean 5,325 ± 3,663 particles m. Composition varied among beaches but hard fragments (46.5 ± 3.5%) and pre-production nurdles (47.8 ± 4.5%) comprised most categorised pieces. Particle drifter analysis hindcast for 365 days indicated that most plastic likely originated from the eastern Mediterranean basin. Worsening microplastic abundance could result in anthropogenically altered life history parameters such as hatching success and sex ratios in marine turtles.
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A global assessment of microplastic abundance and characteristics on marine turtle nesting beaches
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Researchers coordinated a global sampling effort across 209 marine turtle nesting beaches in six ocean basins to assess microplastic contamination in beach sediments. They found microplastics present on 45% of beaches, with the Mediterranean showing the highest contamination rate at 80%. The study provides an open-access dataset to support ongoing monitoring of plastic pollution in critical nesting habitats.
The microplastic pollution in beaches that served as historical nesting grounds for green turtles on Hainan Island, China
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Researchers found an average of 2,567 microplastic pieces per square meter in beach sediments at historical green turtle nesting grounds on Hainan Island, China, with polystyrene and polyethylene foam fragments dominating and small particles (0.05-1 mm) most prevalent, raising concerns about nesting habitat quality.
Microplastic Distribution Characteristics and Sources on Beaches That Serve as the Largest Nesting Ground for Green Turtles in China
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Researchers characterized microplastic distribution and sources on beaches of the Qilianyu Islands, China's largest remaining green turtle nesting grounds, finding significant contamination despite the islands' remote location. The study identified microplastic hotspots that could threaten turtle nesting success and hatchling health.
Microplastics and plastic-associated chemicals in the important green turtle nesting beaches in the Northwest Pacific
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Researchers investigated microplastic abundance and polymer types in sand collected at the surface and nest depth (60 cm) across 14 nesting beaches of green turtles on the Ogasawara Islands, Japan, finding microplastics present at both depths with no significant difference between surface and nest depth concentrations.
Microplastic ingestion ubiquitous in marine turtles
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Researchers examined over 100 marine turtles across all seven species and found synthetic particles in every single individual tested. The study suggests that microplastic ingestion is ubiquitous across marine turtle species, regardless of geographic location or life stage, raising broad concerns about plastic contamination in large marine vertebrates.
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.