We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Plastic pollution in five urban estuaries of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured microplastic levels in sediment, surface water, and beach sand across five estuaries near Durban, South Africa, finding that an urban harbor area (Bayhead) had by far the highest concentrations and that plastic types shifted from fragments near the city to fiber dominance in more distant estuaries, confirming estuaries as conduits for terrestrial plastic entering the ocean.
Monitoring plastic concentrations in estuaries is vital in assessing the magnitude of terrestrial inputs to oceanic environments. Data on plastics ≤ 5 mm in estuaries are scant. This study determined microplastic levels within five estuaries along the Durban coastline and on intervening beaches. Plastics were isolated from estuarine sediment, beach sediment and the surface water of each estuary and characterised. Sediment at the Bayhead area of Durban harbour had the highest average plastic concentrations (745.4 ± 129.7 particles per 500 ml) and an attenuating concentration trend away from the city centre was found. Prevailing south to north longshore drift was hypothesised to result in plastic accumulation on the northern shores of beaches with estuarine effluents, however, this was not found. Fragments composed the largest percent of plastics (59%) found in Bayhead, whereas fibres dominated other estuaries with proportions ranging from 38% of total plastics in the uMgeni estuary to 66% in the Mdloti.
More Papers Like This
The number of plastic particles found in estuarine sediment and water samples of five estuaries, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers quantified microplastic concentrations in sediments from five estuaries along the Durban coastline in South Africa and on intervening beaches, finding plastic particles in all sites. The study provides one of the first assessments of microplastic levels in South African estuaries, which are important transitional zones between land and ocean.
Towards Characterising Microplastic Abundance, Typology and Retention in Mangrove-Dominated Estuaries
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastic pollution levels, morphotype diversity, and polymer composition were compared across four South African estuaries, finding that open estuaries with high surrounding population densities and diverse land use had the highest MP contamination, with microfibres dominating in all systems.
Occurrence, distribution and provenance of micro plastics: A large scale quantitative analysis of beach sediments from southeastern coast of South Africa
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastics were found in high abundance across nine tourist beaches in South Africa, with polypropylene and rayon dominating, and concentrations highest in Durban city beaches influenced by coastal currents and urban plastic inputs. Surface analysis revealed weathering features consistent with long-term environmental exposure.
Microplastic occurrence in sediments of informal settlement in Durban, South Africa: assessing the ocean impact in the aftermath of floods
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated microplastic occurrence in sediments from informal settlements in Durban, South Africa, examining how flood events may transport plastic waste from land to ocean environments. The study found microplastics derived from waste plastic materials in the settlement sediments, providing evidence of the pathway by which informal urban areas contribute to coastal and marine microplastic pollution.
A quantitative analysis of microplastic pollution along the south-eastern coastline of South Africa
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in beach sediments and surf-zone water along the south-eastern coast of South Africa, finding significantly higher concentrations in sheltered bays than on open coastlines. The study provides rare Southern Hemisphere baseline data and confirms that bay morphology influences microplastic accumulation.
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.