Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Environmental Sources Marine & Wildlife Sign in to save

Plastic Accumulation in the Mediterranean Sea

PLoS ONE 2015 741 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 60 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

Elisa Martí, Andrés Cózar Andrés Cózar Elisa Martí, Andrés Cózar Elisa Martí, Carlos M. Duarte, Andrés Cózar Carlos M. Duarte, Carlos M. Duarte, Andrés Cózar Carlos M. Duarte, Marina Sanz‐Martín, Marina Sanz‐Martín, Elisa Martí, Elisa Martí, Marina Sanz‐Martín, Andrés Cózar Carlos M. Duarte, J. Ignacio González-Gordillo, Carlos M. Duarte, Andrés Cózar Carlos M. Duarte, Carlos M. Duarte, J. Ignacio González-Gordillo, Andrés Cózar Andrés Cózar Carlos M. Duarte, Andrés Cózar Andrés Cózar Carlos M. Duarte, Carlos M. Duarte, Andrés Cózar Carlos M. Duarte, Xabier Irigoien, Carlos M. Duarte, Andrés Cózar Elisa Martí, Andrés Cózar Carlos M. Duarte, Carlos M. Duarte, Andrés Cózar Carlos M. Duarte, Carlos M. Duarte, Bárbara Úbeda, Bárbara Úbeda, J. Ignacio González-Gordillo, Andrés Cózar Andrés Cózar Carlos M. Duarte, J. Ignacio González-Gordillo, J. A. Gálvez, Andrés Cózar Andrés Cózar Andrés Cózar Andrés Cózar Elisa Martí, Xabier Irigoien, Elisa Martí, Carlos M. Duarte, Carlos M. Duarte, Andrés Cózar Carlos M. Duarte, Andrés Cózar Carlos M. Duarte, Carlos M. Duarte, Andrés Cózar Elisa Martí, Carlos M. Duarte, Carlos M. Duarte, Carlos M. Duarte, Elisa Martí, Carlos M. Duarte, J. A. Gálvez, Andrés Cózar

Summary

Researchers measured floating plastic concentrations throughout the Mediterranean Sea and found densities comparable to the five major ocean garbage patches, with plastic present at 100% of sampling sites. The most common items were fragments of bags, wrapping, and fishing materials, with the highest concentrations in populated coastal areas. The study establishes the Mediterranean as a major global accumulation zone for plastic pollution, comparable to subtropical ocean gyres.

Study Type Environmental

Concentrations of floating plastic were measured throughout the Mediterranean Sea to assess whether this basin can be regarded as a great accumulation region of plastic debris. We found that the average density of plastic (1 item per 4 m2), as well as its frequency of occurrence (100% of the sites sampled), are comparable to the accumulation zones described for the five subtropical ocean gyres. Plastic debris in the Mediterranean surface waters was dominated by millimeter-sized fragments, but showed a higher proportion of large plastic objects than that present in oceanic gyres, reflecting the closer connection with pollution sources. The accumulation of floating plastic in the Mediterranean Sea (between 1,000 and 3,000 tons) is likely related to the high human pressure together with the hydrodynamics of this semi-enclosed basin, with outflow mainly occurring through a deep water layer. Given the biological richness and concentration of economic activities in the Mediterranean Sea, the affects of plastic pollution on marine and human life are expected to be particularly frequent in this plastic accumulation region.

Read via DOI Download PDF

Share this paper

Post Share Share Pin Email