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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Microplastics in surface waters surrounding a touristic beach at the Gulf of California, Mexico
ClearMicroplastics in tourist beaches of Huatulco Bay, Pacific coast of southern Mexico
Researchers conducted the first survey of microplastics on tourist beaches in Huatulco Bay, Mexico, collecting 70 sediment samples across two seasons and finding fibrous microplastics at all sampled beaches, with the highest counts linked to tourism activity and hotel and restaurant effluent discharge.
Short-term tourism alters abundance, size, and composition of microplastics on sandy beaches
Researchers sampled microplastics on nine sandy beaches along the Turkish Black Sea coast before and after the tourism season and found that tourist activity significantly increased microplastic abundance, altered size distributions, and changed polymer composition. The results provide direct field evidence that recreational beach use is a local source of microplastic pollution.
Linking the Tourism Activity to the Occurrence and Distribution of Microplastics
Researchers assessed microplastic abundance, type, and spatial distribution in coastal water, sediments, and fish across three zones of Gili Trawangan, Indonesia, finding that tourism-related activities concentrated microplastics at recreational beaches with concentrations reaching 19.25 particles/L.
Spatio-temporal variation and ecological risk assessment of microplastics along the touristic beaches of a mediterranean coast transect (Valencia province, East Spain)
Researchers sampled microplastics from seven tourist beaches along Spain's Valencia coast in both winter and summer and found contamination levels nearly five times higher during the summer tourism season. Fibers were the most common type of microplastic, and polyethylene and halogenated polystyrene from food packaging were the dominant polymers identified. The study raises questions about whether current beach cleaning practices are sufficient to address microplastic pollution.
Microplastic contamination and fluxes in a touristic area at the SE Gulf of California
Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in beach sands, surface waters, and sediment traps in the tourist city of Mazatlan, Mexico, finding higher concentrations during the rainy season and in urban areas, with polyethylene and polypropylene fragments being the most abundant types.
Microplastic levels on sandy beaches: Are tourism and coastal recreational activities effects really important?
Researchers assessed microplastic levels at six sites across three Argentine sandy beaches with varying tourism intensity, finding concentrations averaged 1,133 items/kg in sand and 12.7 items/m3 in seawater, dominated by PE films and PET/cotton fibers. Contrary to expectations, the highest microplastic concentrations and smallest particles were found at a low-activity 'pristine' site, suggesting river proximity and coastal drift rather than tourism are the dominant local pollution drivers.
Microplastics in Sandy Beaches of Puerto Vallarta in the Pacific Coast of Mexico
Researchers surveyed three beaches around Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and found microplastics at every site, with the most tourist-heavy and river-adjacent beach (Los Muertos) carrying the highest load at nearly 100 particles per square meter. The dominant materials were polyester, polyethylene, cellophane, and polystyrene — common packaging and textile polymers — underscoring how local tourism and river runoff drive coastal microplastic contamination.
Influence of tourism on microplastic contamination at wastewater treatment plants in the coastal municipality of Chiclana de la Frontera
Researchers investigated how seasonal tourism affects microplastic contamination at wastewater treatment plants in a Spanish coastal town, finding that summer population surges significantly increased microplastic loads entering marine ecosystems.
Abundance of microplastics in coastal area surface water at Tok Bali, Kelantan
Researchers measured microplastic abundance in coastal surface water at Tok Bali, a tourism area in Kelantan, Malaysia. They found elevated microplastic levels tied to human activity and tourism, with fibers and fragments as the dominant particle types.
Microplastic levels on sandy beaches: Are the effects of tourism and coastal recreation really important?
Researchers measured microplastic levels on sandy beaches in Portugal to determine whether tourism and recreation increase contamination. They found an average of about 1,133 microplastic items per kilogram of sand, mostly fibers and films from polyethylene and polypropylene. While tourism did influence contamination patterns, the study shows that microplastics are widespread on beaches regardless of human activity, creating potential exposure risks for beachgoers.
Seasonal evidences of microplastics in environmental matrices of a tourist dominated urban estuary in Gulf of Mexico, Mexico
Spatial and seasonal variations in microplastic abundance were examined across water, sediments, and commercial fish in a tourist-impacted estuary in the Gulf of Mexico, finding peak contamination during dry season and at sites closest to urban and fishing activities.
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.
Microplastics in sandy beaches of Thermaikos Gulf: quantification and spatial distribution
Researchers quantified microplastic pollution along eight locations in the Thermaikos Gulf coast, finding the highest concentrations in tourist-heavy areas, with fibers more prevalent near fishing activity and the midlittoral zone showing the greatest accumulation due to hydrodynamic deposition patterns.
Surface layer microplastic pollution in four bays of the central Mexican Pacific
Researchers sampled surface microplastics monthly across four bays of the central Mexican Pacific over one year, finding median concentrations between 0.26 and 0.40 particles per square meter with polypropylene and polyethylene as the dominant polymers. Fibers dominated most samples, though Manzanillo Bay showed seasonal dominance of fragments during the rainy season.
Occurrence and distribution of microplastics on recreational beaches of Haichow Bay, China
Microplastic occurrence and distribution were examined on recreational beaches of Haichow Bay, China, a heavily visited coastal area. The study found microplastics throughout the beach environment with patterns linked to beach use intensity, wave energy, and sediment type, establishing contamination data for a tourist-frequented coastline.
Microplastic prevalence in the beaches of Puducherry, India and its correlation with fishing and tourism/recreational activities
A survey of six beaches on India's Puducherry coast found microplastic concentrations averaging 72 particles per 100g of sediment, with a strong positive correlation between fishing activity and microplastic abundance, but no significant relationship with recreational tourism. The findings suggest that fishing-related plastic waste is a more important local source of beach microplastic contamination than tourism activities.
Microplastic pollution on island beaches, Oahu, Hawai`i
Researchers surveyed microplastic densities on six windward beaches of Oahu, Hawaii, finding very high concentrations of 700-1,700 particles/m2 on high-wave-energy beaches with coarser sands, comparable to other remote island beaches globally.
Pollution by microplastic in highly crowded sandy beaches in Lima, Peru
Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination at three heavily visited sandy beaches in Lima, Peru, finding fragments and fibers of polypropylene and polyethylene as the most common particles, with abundance varying by season and beach characteristics.
Seasonal tendencies of microplastics around coral reefs in selected Marine Protected National Parks of Gulf of California, Mexico
Researchers examined seasonal microplastic occurrence in coral reef sediments at two marine protected national parks in the Gulf of California, Mexico, finding higher concentrations at Cabo Pulmo (avg. 680 items/100g d.w.) than Espiritu Santo Island (avg. 322 items/100g d.w.). SEM/EDS analysis revealed that surface-altered microplastics of various sizes and shapes are bioavailable to marine organisms regardless of their physical characteristics.
Mesoplastics and large microplastics along a use gradient on the Uruguay Atlantic coast: Types, sources, fates, and chemical loads
Plastic debris was found on Uruguayan beaches along a gradient of tourist use, with polypropylene and polyethylene being the most common polymers and various toxic chemicals detected on the particles. The study shows that recreational beach use is linked to higher plastic contamination in coastal environments.
Quantitative assessment of microplastic in sandy beaches of Gujarat state, India
Researchers quantified microplastic contamination across 20 sandy beaches on the Gujarat coast of India, finding average abundances ranging from 1.4 to 26 MPs per kilogram of sediment, with higher concentrations at beaches under greater anthropogenic pressure. Thread/fiber morphologies were the most abundant type, and the spatial distribution reflected local population density and tourist activity.
Abundance, distribution and correlation of microplastics in Tuapejat coastal water Mentawai Islands Indonesia
Researchers found microplastics — primarily fibers, fragments, and films — in both water and sediment samples from coastal waters of the Mentawai Islands, Indonesia, with the highest concentrations linked to anthropogenic activities in this marine tourism hub.
Plastics and microplastics on recreational beaches in Punta del Este (Uruguay): Unseen critical residents?
Researchers assessed plastic and microplastic pollution on recreational beaches in Punta del Este, Uruguay, finding contamination levels that reflected tourist activity and coastal currents, and raising concerns for beach users and coastal ecosystems.
Spatiotemporal variations of microplastics and influencing factor analysis in coastal seawater of Qingdao, China
Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in the coastal waters of Qingdao, China, and found average concentrations of 293 to 412 particles per cubic meter, with higher levels in summer. The distribution pattern showed increasing concentrations from east to west, influenced by ocean currents, urban runoff, and tourism activity. The study provides a detailed picture of how human activity and environmental factors shape microplastic pollution patterns along a major coastal city.