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Papers
59 resultsShowing papers from Universidad Católica del Norte
ClearThe distribution of subsurface microplastics in the ocean
This study combined data from nearly 2,000 ocean sampling stations to map how microplastics are distributed at different depths. Smaller microplastics spread more evenly through the water column, while larger ones tend to concentrate near the surface. At deep ocean depths, microplastics make up an increasing share of total organic particles, suggesting they are becoming a significant part of the deep ocean environment.
A systematic review on microplastic pollution in water, sediments, and organisms from 50 coastal lagoons across the globe
This systematic review examined microplastic pollution in 50 coastal lagoons worldwide. These important ecosystems showed higher microplastic levels near populated areas with heavy human activity. Fibers and fragments made of polyethylene, polyester, and polypropylene were the most common types found, highlighting how everyday plastics end up contaminating the waters where our seafood comes from.
Citizen science in environmental and ecological sciences
This review describes how citizen science, where non-professional volunteers help collect data, is being applied in environmental and ecological research. Citizen science projects have contributed to monitoring pollution, biodiversity, and water quality across large geographic areas. The approach is relevant to microplastic research because trained volunteers can help sample and catalog microplastic contamination across many locations that professional scientists cannot cover alone.
Soil contamination in nearby natural areas mirrors that in urban greenspaces worldwide
A global study found that soil contamination in natural areas is just as bad as in nearby urban green spaces, with similar levels of heavy metals, pesticides, microplastics, and antibiotic resistance genes. Human activity was the main driver of contamination regardless of whether the area was urban or natural. The findings show that microplastic pollution and other contaminants have spread far beyond cities, potentially affecting soil health and the food grown in these areas.
A growing plastic smog, now estimated to be over 170 trillion plastic particles afloat in the world’s oceans—Urgent solutions required
Researchers analyzed ocean plastic data from over 11,000 sampling stations worldwide spanning 1979 to 2019. They estimated that approximately 82 to 358 trillion plastic particles are now floating in the world's oceans, and found a rapid acceleration in plastic pollution since 2005. The study underscores the urgent need for international policy interventions, as current levels suggest existing efforts have not been sufficient to slow the growing plastic burden.
Seasonal hotspots of beach litter in the North-East Atlantic linked to aquaculture and river runoff
Researchers analyzed seasonal beach litter patterns across nearly 4,000 surveys on 168 western European beaches using a machine learning framework. They found that winter and spring had the highest pollution levels, with hotspots linked to river runoff and aquaculture activities in regions like the Iberian Peninsula and Irish Sea. The study emphasizes the need for season-specific monitoring strategies to effectively target the main sources of coastal plastic pollution.
Low prevalence of microplastic contamination in planktivorous fish species from the southeast Pacific Ocean
Researchers examined the gut contents of 292 planktivorous fish from seven species along the southeast Pacific coast and found a very low prevalence of microplastic contamination, with only 2.1% of fish containing plastic particles. The microplastics found were degraded fragments and threads of various colors, suggesting the fish were not selectively targeting them. The study indicates that microplastic ingestion risk for planktivorous species in this region may currently be limited compared to other ocean areas.
Potentially pathogenic bacteria in the plastisphere from water, sediments, and commercial fish in a tropical coastal lagoon: An assessment and management proposal
Researchers examined the types of potentially harmful bacteria living on microplastics found in water, sediments, and commercial fish in a tropical coastal lagoon. They identified several pathogenic species colonizing the microplastic surfaces, which could pose risks when contaminated fish are consumed by humans. The study proposes management strategies to reduce the public health threat of microplastic-associated pathogens in fisheries.
Toward the Integrated Marine Debris Observing System
Researchers proposed a framework for an integrated marine debris observing system that would combine remote sensing, in situ measurements, and computer modeling to monitor plastic pollution globally. The study outlines how optical sensors, satellite imagery, and citizen science programs could work together to track debris sources, pathways, and accumulation patterns. The system aims to support policy decisions and operational cleanup efforts by providing reliable long-term data on the state of ocean plastic pollution.
Effects of microplastics (PVC, PMMA) on the mussel Semimytilus algosus differ only at high concentrations from those of natural microparticles (clay, celite)
Researchers found that microplastics (PVC and PMMA) only negatively affected the mussel Semimytilus algosus at unrealistically high concentrations, with effects similar to those of natural microparticles like clay and celite at the same levels.
Amberstripe scad Decapterus muroadsi (Carangidae) fish ingest blue microplastics resembling their copepod prey along the coast of Rapa Nui (Easter Island) in the South Pacific subtropical gyre
Researchers found that amberstripe scad fish from a Pacific reef selectively ingested blue microplastic fragments, suggesting that visual cues — specifically color — may drive fish to ingest plastic items that resemble natural prey.
Microplastics and Their Effect in Horticultural Crops: Food Safety and Plant Stress
This review examined how microplastics and nanoplastics accumulate in agricultural soils and enter the food chain through edible plants and animals, concluding that plastic contamination represents a multi-pathway food safety risk requiring coordinated regulatory and agronomic responses.
Plastic and natural inorganic microparticles do not differ in their effects on adult mussels (Mytilidae) from different geographic regions
Researchers compared the effects of plastic microparticles and natural inorganic particles on mussels from five geographic regions, finding no significant differences between particle types, suggesting that physical particle stress rather than plastic-specific chemistry drives observed effects.
Salmo salar Skin and Gill Microbiome during Piscirickettsia salmonis Infection
Researchers used bacterial gene sequencing to examine how the skin and gill microbiome of farmed Atlantic salmon changes during infection with the pathogen Piscirickettsia salmonis. They discovered a previously undescribed core group of co-occurring bacteria, including potential secondary pathogens found on skin ulcers and gills. The findings suggest that coinfection with these additional bacteria may worsen the severity of the primary infection.
Plastic Pollution in the World's Oceans: More than 5 Trillion Plastic Pieces Weighing over 250,000 Tons Afloat at Sea
Researchers conducted the first global estimate of floating plastic debris in the oceans, finding more than 5 trillion pieces weighing over 250,000 tonnes at the sea surface, establishing a widely cited baseline for understanding the scale of ocean plastic pollution.
Plastic pollution transcends marine protected area boundaries in the eastern tropical and south-eastern Pacific
Researchers assessed plastic pollution across marine protected areas in the Eastern Tropical and South-Eastern Pacific, finding that microplastic contamination transcends MPA boundaries. The study suggests that even expanded conservation zones like the planned Mega MPA may not be sufficient to protect against diffuse threats like plastic pollution without targeted mitigation strategies.
Microplastics in the Marine Environment: A Review of the Methods Used for Identification and Quantification
This review covered the methods used to identify and characterize microplastics in marine environmental samples, evaluating the strengths and limitations of visual, spectroscopic, and chemical approaches for field and laboratory analysis.
Macrolitter and microplastics along the East Pacific coasts — A homemade problem needing local solutions
Researchers conducted a comprehensive review of 257 peer-reviewed publications on macrolitter and microplastic pollution along East Pacific coasts, a region that has been relatively understudied. They found that both macrolitter and microplastics accumulate on shorelines and are present throughout the water column, seafloor, and other compartments. The evidence indicates that pollution is primarily from local, land-based sources, suggesting that regional management solutions would be most effective.
From Space to Health: Satellite-Derived Microplastic Exposure and Health
Using satellite-derived marine microplastic exposure data linked to Chilean health records, researchers found associations between coastal microplastic concentrations and adverse birth outcomes, providing population-level evidence that marine plastic pollution may affect human health.
Microplastics in Water and Wastewater
This book covers the topic of microplastics in water and wastewater, addressing their sources, occurrence, fate, treatment, and regulatory context across the human water cycle. It provides a comprehensive reference for researchers and practitioners working on monitoring and reducing microplastic contamination in drinking water and wastewater systems.
Microplastic distribution and composition on two Galápagos island beaches, Ecuador: Verifying the use of citizen science derived data in long-term monitoring
Researchers validated a citizen science methodology for monitoring visible microplastic contamination on Galapagos island beaches using standardized quadrat sampling, comparing citizen-generated data with expert surveys over multiple years. The approach was found to produce reliable data for long-term monitoring while reducing costs, supporting its use in logistically challenging remote locations.
Capture, swallowing, and egestion of microplastics by a planktivorous juvenile fish
Slow-motion video analysis of a planktivorous fish revealed that it engulfed microplastics using the same feeding mechanism as natural prey, and that particles could be expelled through the gills or swallowed. The study provides mechanistic insight into how fish ingest microplastics and helps explain why particles resembling zooplankton in size and appearance are most commonly found in fish guts.
Microplastic pollution in water, sediments and commercial fish species from Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta lagoon complex, Colombian Caribbean
Microplastics were detected in water, sediment, and fish from the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta lagoon in the Colombian Caribbean, with concentrations varying by matrix and site. The study represents an early baseline for plastic pollution monitoring in this ecologically important tropical lagoon ecosystem.
Impacts of Marine Plastic Pollution From Continental Coasts to Subtropical Gyres—Fish, Seabirds, and Other Vertebrates in the SE Pacific
A review of anthropogenic marine debris in the Southeast Pacific found that most plastic pollution along continental coasts originated from local land-based sources, with fish, seabirds, and sea turtles all documented as ingesting or becoming entangled in debris. The study highlights the need for regional waste management improvements to protect SE Pacific vertebrate populations from plastic pollution.