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Microplastics in the pelagic environment around oceanic islands of the Western Tropical Atlantic Ocean
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Researchers confirmed for the first time that microplastic pollution is present in the surface waters around three ecologically important island groups in the tropical western Atlantic Ocean. The particles — including fragments, films, paint chips, and fibers — come from both land and ocean sources, threatening marine species in these sensitive ecosystems.
Recent evidence suggests that microplastic pollution is widespread in every oceanic basin; however, there is limited data available for the tropical South Atlantic Ocean. The purpose of this study was to examine the distribution, density and characteristics of plastic particles in plankton samples collected in the western tropical Atlantic Ocean. Neustonic tows (N = 160) were conducted near three important insular environments (Fernando de Noronha, Abrolhos and Trindade), and the presence of microplastics in the ocean surface of these areas was confirmed for the first time. The collected microplastic particles included hard plastic fragments, plastic films, paint chips and fibres and strands, which were classified as a secondary source of microplastics. The stock of plastic originates from both land-based and marine-based sources. This type of marine pollution in the tropical Atlantic Ocean is a potential threat to important ecological species.
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Researchers surveyed microplastic prevalence in water and sediment samples from two Georgia barrier islands with contrasting levels of human development, with preliminary results from the more pristine island already showing microfibers and microparticles, particularly concentrated in beach habitats.
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Surface water sampling across the western Pacific Ocean detected microplastics at an average of 0.37 particles/m³ in all sampled locations, with fibers and fragments under 1 mm predominating and significantly higher concentrations near seamount areas than the South China Sea. The study establishes baseline contamination data for a vast understudied ocean region and reveals that oceanic circulation patterns actively concentrate microplastics even at remote deep-sea topographic features.
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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.