We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
An evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that micro- and mesoplastic debris were widely and uniformly distributed across the Western Mediterranean Sea, with average surface concentrations of approximately 130,000 microplastic particles per km2 and 5,700 mesoplastic particles per km2. Fragment morphology and polymer composition analysis indicated a predominantly land-based origin for the debris.
This study examines the distribution, abundance and characteristics of surface micro- and mesoplastic debris in the Western Mediterranean Sea. 41 samples were collected in 2011 (summer) and 2012 (summer). Results, firstly, revealed that micro- (<5 mm) and mesoplastic debris were widely and uniformly distributed in this area with average concentrations of 130,000 parts/km(2) and 5700 parts/km(2), respectively. Importantly, a strong correlation between micro- and mesoplastic concentrations was identified. Secondly, a classification based on the shape and appearance of microplastics indicated the predominant presence of fragments (73%) followed by thin films (14%). Thirdly, the average mass ratio of microplastic to dry organic matter has been measured at 0.5, revealing a significant presence of microplastics in comparison to plankton. Finally, a correction method was applied in order to correct wind mixing effect on microplastics' vertical distribution. This data allows for a comprehensive view, for the first time, of the spatial distribution and nature of plastic debris in the Western Mediterranean Sea.
More Papers Like This
Microplastics in the Mediterranean Sea: Deposition in coastal shallow sediments, spatial variation and preferential grain size
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers sampled Mediterranean coastal shallow sediments and found microplastics throughout, with concentrations and polymer types reflecting land-based inputs and showing that coastal sediments are a significant regional reservoir for plastic debris.
Microplastics spatiotemporal distribution and variability in marine habitats along the North-Western Mediterranean coastal waters.
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers assessed microplastic spatiotemporal distribution across multiple Mediterranean marine habitat types including water surface, sediment, and biota, revealing significant variability by location and season. The multi-compartment approach showed that no single habitat type captures the full extent of microplastic contamination.
Sub-Basin Scale Heterogeneity in the Polymeric Composition of Floating Microplastics in the Mediterranean Sea
AI summary Read the abstract
A large-scale survey of floating microplastics across multiple sub-basins of the Mediterranean Sea revealed significant variation in both abundance and polymer composition—with polyethylene and polypropylene dominating—reflecting different pollution sources and oceanographic circulation patterns in each region. This spatial heterogeneity demonstrates that the Mediterranean cannot be treated as a uniform pollution zone and that sub-basin-scale monitoring is necessary to understand sources, transport, and accumulation of microplastics in semi-enclosed seas.
Microplastic Abundance and Polymer Types in a Mediterranean Environment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers surveyed microplastic abundance and polymer types across multiple compartments of a Mediterranean marine environment, documenting their presence from the sea surface to beach sediments and within marine organisms. The study adds to growing evidence that microplastics are pervasive throughout Mediterranean coastal ecosystems.
The Mediterranean Plastic Soup: synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers collected surface water samples from across the Mediterranean Sea and identified the types and abundance of floating plastic polymers, finding that this semi-enclosed sea has accumulated substantial plastic debris.
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.