Papers

Microbiomes of Thalassia testudinum throughout the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico are influenced by site and region while maintaining a core microbiome

Researchers characterized the microbial communities living on the seagrass Thalassia testudinum across the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico for the first time. They found that while local environmental conditions influenced the specific bacterial species present, a core set of microorganisms was consistently associated with the seagrass across all regions. The study provides important baseline data for understanding how seagrass health may be linked to its microbial partners.

Microplastics Scoping Review of Environmental and Human Exposure Data

This scoping review organized microplastic literature into three categories: environmental presence, chemical interactions, and human exposure pathways. Researchers found that while microplastics are ubiquitous in the environment, significant data gaps remain regarding human exposure levels and potential health effects, highlighting the need for standardized detection methods and further health-focused research.

Remote detection of marine debris using satellite observations in the visible and near infrared spectral range: Challenges and potentials

Microplastics do not affect bleaching of Acropora cervicornis at ambient or elevated temperatures

Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in the blood of healthy adult volunteers, detecting particles in 17 of 22 individuals. Polyethylene terephthalate and polystyrene were the most common polymers, confirming that microplastics can enter and circulate in the human bloodstream.

Benthic foraminifera in Gulf of Mexico show temporal and spatial dynamics of microplastics

Researchers used benthic foraminifera from sediment cores in the Gulf of Mexico to reconstruct the temporal and spatial dynamics of microplastic accumulation since plastic production began. The study found that microplastic concentrations in sediment records reflected the historical increase in global plastic production over recent decades.

Microplastics in Tampa Bay, Florida: Abundance and variability in estuarine waters and sediments

This study provided the first systematic measurements of microplastic abundance and distribution in Tampa Bay, Florida, finding microplastics in both surface water and sediments throughout the estuary, with higher concentrations near urban areas. The data establish baseline contamination levels for one of Florida's largest estuaries and identify stormwater and wastewater as key sources.

Spatial and temporal trends in microplastic pollution in the Eastern Oyster, Crassotrea virginica, in Tampa Bay, Florida

Microalgal cultivation characteristics using commercially available air-cushion packaging material as a photobioreactor

Researchers repurposed common air-cushion shipping packaging as low-cost photobioreactors to grow microalgae, finding that different species produced varying yields of lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins. This approach could offer a sustainable, contamination-resistant alternative to traditional algae cultivation systems while giving plastic packaging a second life.

Peer Review #1 of "Microplastics do not affect bleaching of Acropora cervicornis at ambient or elevated temperatures (v0.2)"

This peer review provides evaluation of a revised study on whether microplastic pollution affects coral bleaching in Acropora cervicornis, examining the research design and findings related to microplastic stress interactions with thermally stressed coral reefs.

A Response to Scientific and Societal Needs for Marine Biological Observations

This paper outlines plans for expanding global ocean observing systems to better track biological variables, including automated data collection and open data sharing. It provides context for future monitoring of marine organisms affected by microplastic pollution.

Impacts of a Changing Earth on Microbial Dynamics and Human Health Risks in the Continuum between Beach Water and Sand

This review examines how climate and environmental changes affect microbial pathogens at recreational beaches, where people are exposed through water contact, sand, and aerosols. Some microplastics entering beaches carry biofilm communities including potentially pathogenic bacteria, adding a health dimension to beach plastic pollution.

Hyperspectral reflectance spectra of floating matters derived from HICO observations

Researchers derived hyperspectral reflectance signatures of various floating materials in global oceans and lakes using data from the Hyperspectral Imager for the Coastal Ocean on the International Space Station. The study identified spectral features that could help distinguish floating plastic debris from natural materials in remote sensing applications.

Reply on RC2

This paper presents a dataset of hyperspectral reflectance spectra of floating materials in global oceans and lakes, derived from the HICO instrument on the International Space Station between 2010 and 2014. A spectral unmixing scheme was used to characterize different types of surface slicks from 9,411 archived scenes.