Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Seasonal variation of diversity, weathering, and inventory of microplastics in coast and harbor sediments

Seasonal variation in microplastic diversity, weathering degree, and abundance was characterized in coastal and harbor sediments along the southwestern coast of Taiwan, finding harbor sites more contaminated than coastal areas and summer monsoon rains driving seasonal fluctuations.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 80 citations
Article Tier 2

Data Sheet 1_Seasonal variations in microplastic distribution on Macau’s windward and leeward beaches: weak spatial autocorrelation.docx

This is a supplementary data file for the Macau beach microplastic seasonal distribution study (ID 12145) and does not contain independent research content.

2025 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Impact of seasonal variations on microplastic accumulation and characteristics in sandy beaches of Sichang Island, the inner Gulf of Thailand

Researchers measured microplastic abundance in beach sediments on Sichang Island in the Gulf of Thailand across dry and wet seasons, finding that seasonal monsoon winds and currents strongly affected where plastics accumulated — increasing contamination on exposed windward beaches and reducing it on sheltered leeward ones. Polypropylene was the most common polymer found, and smaller microplastic particles became less abundant after the wet season, possibly dispersed further by wave action. The work highlights how local geography and seasonal weather patterns shape where microplastics concentrate along coastlines.

2025 Marine Pollution Bulletin 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic accumulation dynamics in two Mediterranean beaches with contrasting inputs

Researchers monitored microplastic accumulation dynamics on two Mediterranean beaches with contrasting human pressures over multiple seasons, finding that beaches near urban areas accumulated MPs faster and showed greater concentration variability. Short-term accumulation events tied to storms and wind patterns were identified as key drivers of MP deposition.

2022 Journal of Sea Research 18 citations
Article Tier 2

Seasonal variation in the abundance of marine plastic debris in the estuary of a subtropical macro-scale drainage basin in South China

Plastic debris was collected from 25 beaches in Hong Kong during wet and dry seasons, with significantly higher abundance in summer. The seasonal pattern was attributed to increased rainfall and runoff during summer, which flushes land-based plastic waste into coastal areas, highlighting stormwater as a key driver of beach plastic pollution.

2016 The Science of The Total Environment 264 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial and seasonal distribution of microplastics on sandy beaches along the coast of the Hengchun Peninsula, Taiwan

Researchers conducted the first survey of microplastic pollution on beaches along the Hengchun Peninsula in Taiwan, sampling eight beaches in two seasons and finding microplastics in all locations with higher abundances in summer. The results provide baseline contamination data for a major tourist coastal area and document seasonal variation in beach microplastic accumulation.

2020 Marine Pollution Bulletin 90 citations
Article Tier 2

Why sampling season and location matter for monitoring micro and mesoplastics on the beach

Researchers analyzed microplastic pollution across 11 marine beaches in Latvia over four seasons from autumn 2022 to summer 2023, demonstrating how sampling season and location significantly influence measured pollution levels in the Baltic Sea region due to seasonal weather patterns and local hydrodynamics.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Long-term observations of microplastic and mesoplastic distribution on sandy beaches in north-east Taiwan: Impact of typhoons on spatial and temporal variability

Using two decades of sampling data, researchers tracked long-term trends in microplastic and mesoplastic distribution on sandy beaches, finding steady increases in particle abundance over time with notable accumulation hotspots linked to ocean current patterns.

2025 Marine Pollution Bulletin 2 citations
Article Tier 2

The seasonal distribution characteristics of microplastics on bathing beaches along the coast of Qingdao, China

Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution at six bathing beaches along the coast of Qingdao, China, across winter and summer seasons. Microplastic abundance in both seawater and sediment was significantly higher in summer, and concentrations increased from east to west, consistent with coastal current patterns. The study suggests that human recreational activity and urbanization contribute to higher microplastic levels at these popular beach destinations.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 80 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Marine Sediments in Eastern Guangdong in the South China Sea: Factors Influencing the Seasonal and Spatial Variations

This study investigated seasonal variation in microplastic abundance in marine sediments across multiple-use zones of Eastern Guangdong in the South China Sea, finding that seasonal and spatial patterns were influenced by hydrodynamic conditions, rainfall, and proximity to human activity.

2023 Water 26 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in equatorial coasts: Pollution hotspots and spatiotemporal variations associated with tropical monsoons

Researchers systematically quantified microplastic pollution in beaches and mangroves across equatorial Singapore and found that seasonal monsoon patterns strongly influenced contamination levels. Wind speed was positively correlated with microplastic abundance, suggesting transboundary transport of particles, while rainfall appeared to wash surface microplastics away. The study found that coastal microplastic concentrations in Singapore have increased by two orders of magnitude since 2014, with mangroves acting as effective accumulation hotspots.

2021 Journal of Hazardous Materials 71 citations
Article Tier 2

The Effects of Rainfall Events on the Composition and Diversity of Microplastics on Beaches in Xiamen City on a Short-Term Scale

Short-term monitoring around rainfall events on Xiamen City beaches found that precipitation increased the number and diversity of microplastics in beach sediments, pointing to storm runoff as a major delivery mechanism.

2024 Toxics 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Influence of monsoon seasonality and tidal cycle on microplastics presence and distribution in the Upper Gulf of Thailand

Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution around Si Chang Island in the Gulf of Thailand across different monsoon seasons and found that seasonal weather patterns strongly influence microplastic abundance and distribution. Evidence suggests that UV exposure during dry seasons fragments plastic waste on land, which is then washed into the ocean by heavy rains during the wet season. The findings highlight how tropical climate cycles drive microplastic contamination in Southeast Asian coral reef areas.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 28 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatio-temporal comparison of neustonic microplastic density in Hong Kong waters under the influence of the Pearl River Estuary

Spatial and temporal surveys of microplastic density in Hong Kong surface waters found elevated concentrations near the Pearl River Estuary and seasonal variation linked to river discharge. The study provides empirical evidence that river outflow from China's Pearl River is a significant driver of coastal microplastic distribution in Hong Kong waters.

2018 The Science of The Total Environment 160 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatiotemporal variations in rural and urban beach microplastics accumulation in sediment along Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape, Mindanao, the Philippines

Researchers measured microplastic contamination in beach sand at urban and rural sites along a protected seascape in the Philippines across wet and dry seasons. They found significantly higher microplastic levels during the wet season, particularly at urban beaches, likely because rainfall washes more plastic debris from land into waterways. The most common plastics identified were polyester and polyethylene, suggesting sources from textiles and common consumer packaging.

2025 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Small-scale temporal and spatial variability in the abundance of plastic pellets on sandy beaches: Methodological considerations for estimating the input of microplastics

A beach survey found high small-scale variability in plastic pellet abundance across the intertidal zone, driven by tidal cycles, wind, and sampling method. These findings have important methodological implications — researchers need standardized sampling designs to generate reliable estimates of microplastic contamination on beaches.

2015 Marine Pollution Bulletin 103 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics and plastisphere at surface waters in the Southwestern Caribbean sea

Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution at the surface waters of two marine-coastal areas in the Southwestern Caribbean Sea across wet and dry seasons. The study found higher microplastic concentrations during the rainy season, likely due to increased runoff carrying land-based plastic waste into the ocean. Evidence indicates that seasonal weather patterns and local land use significantly influence microplastic distribution in coastal marine environments.

2024 Journal of Environmental Management 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Can microplastics in offshore waters reflect plastic emissions from coastal regions?

Researchers found a significant negative correlation between coastal plastic discharge amounts and offshore microplastic abundance in Chinese waters, indicating that hydrodynamic conditions rather than proximity to pollution sources primarily determine microplastic distribution.

2022 Chemosphere 26 citations
Article Tier 2

Deciphering the seasonal dynamics of microplastic morphotypes and associated co-contaminants along the northwest coast of India

Researchers studied seasonal variations in microplastic abundance along the northwest coast of India bordering the Arabian Sea. The study found dramatically higher microplastic concentrations during monsoon season compared to pre- and post-monsoon periods, with polypropylene and high-density polyethylene as the dominant polymer types.

2024 Chemosphere 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Why sampling season and location matter for monitoring micro and mesoplastics on the beach

Researchers examined microplastic and mesoplastic pollution across 11 marine beaches in Latvia over four seasons from autumn 2022 to summer 2023, investigating how sampling season and beach location affect measured contamination levels. The study found significant spatial and temporal variability in beach microplastic concentrations, demonstrating that both season and location are critical variables that must be accounted for in monitoring programme design to produce meaningful and comparable pollution assessments.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Impacts of extreme weather events on microplastic distribution in coastal environments

Researchers conducted a year-long survey in Hong Kong to study how extreme weather events affect microplastic distribution in coastal environments. They found that typhoons and rainstorms dramatically increased microplastic levels, with abundance jumping 5 to 36 times higher after major storms. The study suggests that extreme weather is the primary driver of seasonal variation in coastal microplastic pollution, which has implications as these events become more frequent.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 69 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial and seasonal variation of microplastics and possible sources in the estuarine system from central west coast of India

Researchers collected samples from an estuarine system on India's west coast across two seasons, finding significant spatial and seasonal variation in microplastic abundance — with monsoon season delivering higher loads — and identifying local fishing activities and urban runoff as primary sources.

2021 Environmental Pollution 135 citations
Article Tier 2

Identificación y cuantificación de microplásticos en sedimentos de tres playas recreativas de la costa de Campeche

Researchers identified and quantified microplastics in sediments from three recreational beaches in Campeche, Mexico, comparing concentrations across different seasons and sampling locations. The study found microplastics at all sites, with seasonal variation suggesting that weather patterns influence microplastic distribution on these tourist beaches.

2023 Editorial UNIMAR eBooks
Article Tier 2

Stranded in the high tide line: Spatial and temporal variability of beached microplastics in a semi-enclosed embayment (Arcachon, France)

Researchers found significant spatial and temporal variability in beached microplastics (0.5-5 mm) in the semi-enclosed Arcachon Bay, France, with deposition patterns at the high tide line influenced by local hydrodynamics and seasonal factors.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 35 citations