Papers

First evidence of presence of plastic debris in stomach of large pelagic fish in the Mediterranean Sea

Researchers examined stomach contents of large predatory fish including swordfish and bluefin tuna caught in the Mediterranean Sea and found plastic debris in about 18% of the specimens. The ingested plastics ranged from tiny microplastics to large fragments, and were primarily polyethylene and polyester. This is the first study documenting plastic ingestion in large pelagic Mediterranean fish, suggesting that even top ocean predators are exposed to plastic pollution.

A comprehensive analysis of the scrapping and abandonment of fiber-reinforced polymer vessels at sea

Researchers analyzed the growing problem of fiberglass boat disposal, with an estimated 250,000 to 500,000 tons of end-of-life vessels accumulating globally each year. They found that abandoned fiberglass boats break down over time, releasing microplastics and other harmful materials into marine environments. The study highlights the need for better recycling infrastructure and policies to manage this largely overlooked source of ocean plastic pollution.

Microplastic-associated biofilms in lentic Italian ecosystems

Researchers used high-throughput DNA sequencing and fluorescence microscopy to characterize biofilm communities growing on microplastics collected from Italian lake ecosystems. They found that the microbial communities on plastic surfaces differed significantly from those in surrounding water, forming distinct "plastisphere" assemblages. The study reveals that microplastics in freshwater lakes serve as novel habitats for specialized microbial communities, some of which may include potentially harmful species.

Fate of the biofilm chips overflowed from a wastewater treatment plant

Researchers tracked over 100 million polyethylene biofilm chips that spilled from an Italian wastewater treatment plant into the Mediterranean Sea in 2018, recovering samples over six years. They found that the chips are degrading slowly, losing weight at a rate that means complete breakdown would take about 310 years, generating roughly half a ton of microplastics per year in the process. The study provides rare long-term data on how plastic pollution from wastewater infrastructure contributes to ongoing microplastic generation in the ocean.

Greener Microplastics Removal: Progressive Replacement of Iron‐Based Coagulants with Sodium Alginate and Chitosan to Enhance Sustainability

Researchers tested whether natural biopolymers like sodium alginate and chitosan could progressively replace iron-based coagulants for removing microplastics from wastewater. They found that partial substitution maintained effective microplastic removal while reducing the environmental footprint of the coagulation process. The study suggests that blending conventional and biopolymer coagulants offers a more sustainable approach to microplastic removal in wastewater treatment.

The Role of Posidonia oceanica Spheroids in Assessing Microplastic Contamination in Coastal Ecosystems

Researchers collected 1,300 Posidonia oceanica spheroids along the Italian coast and found that about 35% contained plastic debris, with nearly half of the items classified as microplastics. The most common polymers were nylon and PET, and contamination levels correlated with proximity to wastewater treatment plants. The study suggests that these seagrass spheroids could serve as useful bioindicators for monitoring microplastic pollution in coastal ecosystems.

Microplastic pollution in the surface waters of Italian Subalpine Lakes

Surface water samples from Italian subalpine lakes were found to contain microplastics, including fibers and fragments, at concentrations suggesting atmospheric deposition and local tourism as contributing sources. The study extends microplastic monitoring to high-altitude freshwater lakes, showing that even remote mountain water bodies are affected by plastic pollution.

Plastisphere in lake waters: Microbial diversity, biofilm structure, and potential implications for freshwater ecosystems

Using a combination of confocal microscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, and DNA sequencing, researchers characterized plastisphere biofilms on microplastics from lake water, finding distinct microbial communities on MPs compared to surrounding water including eukaryotic members not previously reported on lake plastispheres. The unique biofilm structure suggests freshwater MPs support specialized ecological niches.

Microplastics in the Mount Terminillo (Rieti, Italy) Snow’s

High Density of Microplastics in the Caddisfly Larvae Cases

High densities of microplastics were found embedded in the cases (shelters built from environmental debris) of caddisfly larvae, with plastics replacing natural materials like sand grains and plant fragments. This documents how widespread microplastic contamination has become in freshwater insect habitats and raises concerns about its effects on larval development.

MICROPLASTICS IN THE MOUNT TERMINILLO SNOW’S (RIETI, ITALY)

Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in snow samples collected from six locations on Mount Terminillo (2216 m a.s.l.) in the Apennines, Italy during winter, to quantify atmospheric microplastic fallout in a mountainous environment. The study documented measurable microplastic contamination across all sampled alpine sites, contributing to evidence that remote mountain snowpacks are receiving airborne plastic particles from distant anthropogenic sources.

Sea Water Contamination in the Vicinity of the Italian Minor Islands Caused by Microplastic Pollution

Microplastics were found at six sites around Italian minor islands that were expected to be relatively clean, with higher concentrations near river mouths. Even protected and remote island environments in the Mediterranean are contaminated with microplastics, indicating widespread dispersion.

Assessment of Microplastic Pollution in Sarno River

Assessment of Microplastics Marine Pollution from an Environmental NGO’s Point of View: The First Study About the Widespread Presence of Plastic Pellets Along the Italian Coast

Microplastic samplings and inverse trajectory recognition in the Mediterranean Sea

Using data from a 2015 Mediterranean microplastic sampling campaign alongside ocean circulation analysis, this study applied inverse trajectory modeling to estimate the likely sources and accumulation zones of microplastic pollution across nine Italian coastal locations.