Papers

Marine environment microfiber contamination: Global patterns and the diversity of microparticle origins

Researchers collected 1,393 one-liter water grab samples globally and found a mean microparticle concentration of 11.8 particles per liter — roughly 1,000 times higher than model predictions — with 91% being microfibers, 57% synthetic, and highest densities in polar oceans, while also documenting underreported non-synthetic and semi-synthetic fibers from natural textile sources.

A watershed-scale, citizen science approach to quantifying microplastic concentration in a mixed land-use river

Trained citizen scientists collected water samples at 72 sites across the Gallatin River watershed in Montana and found microplastics at all locations, with higher concentrations in areas downstream of urban land use. The study demonstrates that citizen science can effectively generate watershed-scale microplastic data while also linking plastic pollution to land use patterns.

Grab vs. neuston tow net: a microplastic sampling performance comparison and possible advances in the field

This study directly compared the performance of grab sampling (taking a small water volume by hand) versus neuston tow netting for quantifying surface microplastics, finding that results differed significantly. The comparison highlights how method choice affects reported concentrations, making inter-study comparisons unreliable without method standardization.

Global patterns for the spatial distribution of floating microfibers: Arctic Ocean as a potential accumulation zone

Researchers modeled global ocean microfiber distribution using oceanographic variables and predicted the Arctic Ocean is a terminal accumulation zone for floating microfibers, with the thermohaline circulation's warm branch actively transporting fibers northward to densities far above those in tropical ocean gyres.

Microplastics Along Antarctic Tourism Routes: Assessing the Impact and Solutions for the Industry

Understanding Microplastic Distribution: A Global Citizen Monitoring Effort

Cruise Report S-217 : scientific data collected aboard SSV Robert C. Seamans, Papeete, Tahiti � Taiohae, Nuku Hiva, Marquesas � Honolulu, Hawaii, 9 May � 14 June 2008

This cruise report documents oceanographic sampling conducted aboard the SSV Robert C. Seamans between Tahiti, the Marquesas, and Hawaii in 2008, covering physical, chemical, biological, and environmental ocean characteristics. The cruise was part of a Sea Education Association semester program that included environmental sampling research.