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Papers
9 resultsShowing papers from The Ocean Foundation
ClearA Call to Include Plastics in the Global Environment in the Class of Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic (PBT) Pollutants
This viewpoint paper argues that plastics in the environment should be formally classified as persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic pollutants, the same category as chemicals like DDT and mercury. The authors present evidence that plastics meet all three criteria: they resist degradation, accumulate in organisms and food chains, and release harmful chemicals. Reclassifying plastics this way could trigger stronger regulatory protections worldwide.
A global assessment of microplastic abundance and characteristics on marine turtle nesting beaches
Researchers coordinated a global sampling effort across 209 marine turtle nesting beaches in six ocean basins to assess microplastic contamination in beach sediments. They found microplastics present on 45% of beaches, with the Mediterranean showing the highest contamination rate at 80%. The study provides an open-access dataset to support ongoing monitoring of plastic pollution in critical nesting habitats.
An Integrated Assessment of Microplastic Pollution in Coastal Surface Water and Sediment of Japan
Researchers conducted a comprehensive survey of microplastic pollution in surface water and sediment at 15 coastal locations across Japan, from Hokkaido to Okinawa. They extracted over 53,000 suspected microplastic particles and identified the most common polymers using FTIR spectroscopy. The study provides an integrated baseline dataset for understanding the extent and distribution of microplastic contamination along Japanese coastlines.
Mission Tara Microplastics: a holistic set of protocols and data resources for the field investigation of plastic pollution along the land-sea continuum in Europe
Researchers present a comprehensive set of sampling protocols from the Tara Microplastics mission, which investigated plastic pollution along nine major European rivers by measuring microplastic concentrations, microbial communities, and biophysicochemical parameters along salinity gradients.
An integrative assessment of the plastic debris load in the Mediterranean Sea
Researchers analyzed over 75,000 plastic pieces collected across the Mediterranean Sea during the Tara expedition, estimating roughly 650 billion plastic particles float on its surface, with the highest concentrations near northwestern coastal regions, and found that most plastics are in an advanced state of fragmentation from repeated stranding and resuspension.
An integrated assessment of microplastic pollution in coastal surface water and sediment of Japan
Researchers conducted a comprehensive survey of microplastic pollution across 14 coastal locations around Japan from Hokkaido to Okinawa, measuring concentrations of 288.7 g/km2 in surface water and 1,185 kg/km2 in sediment and characterizing polymer types, shapes, and size distributions.
Comparison of the macro-, meso- and microplastic pollution in French riverbanks and beaches using citizen science with schoolchildren
Researchers conducted a citizen science initiative with French schoolchildren to compare macro-, meso-, and microplastic pollution across 86 riverbank and beach sites, finding that riverbanks accumulated distinct plastic assemblages compared to beaches. The study demonstrated that schoolchildren can generate reliable comparative litter data, and highlighted rivers as underrepresented yet critical plastic transport pathways to the ocean.
Drifting Fish Aggregating Devices in the Indian Ocean: Impacts, Management, and Policy Implications
Researchers examined the prevalence and governance implications of abandoned, lost, and discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) drifting fish aggregating devices (dFADs) along the Somali coast in the Indian Ocean. Over six months, 63 dFADs were recovered along a sample coastline — none fully compliant with Indian Ocean Tuna Commission regulations — with projections estimating approximately 1,439 dFADs wash ashore annually across the entire Somali shelf.
Microplastics in the oceans: the solutions lie on land
This commentary argues that solving ocean plastic pollution requires action on land, addressing the waste management systems and habits that allow plastics to enter waterways in the first place. The analysis underlines that most ocean microplastics originate from land-based sources, making terrestrial interventions essential.