Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Schools against plastics: Schooling environmentally conscious students and supporting research on marine litter and microplastics

A citizen science initiative engaged Greek students in monitoring plastic pollution on two coastal beaches, finding macrolitter densities of 0.6 to 5.9 items per square meter and microplastic concentrations of 4.6 to 102.5 particles per kilogram of sand. Single-use plastics, especially bottle caps and cigarette butts, made up over 25% of collected items, and microplastics were also found inside sea urchins at both sites. The project demonstrates that student participation can generate scientifically valuable pollution data while building environmental awareness.

2026 Marine Pollution Bulletin
Article Tier 2

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.

2025 Global NEST International Conference on Environmental Science & Technology
Article Tier 2

Rivers and Wastewater-Treatment Plants as Microplastic Pathways to Eastern Mediterranean Waters: First Records for the Aegean Sea, Greece

Researchers provided the first records of microplastic amounts and types in rivers and wastewater effluents entering the Aegean Sea in Greece, finding microplastics in both an urban river and a semi-urban river with a wastewater treatment plant discharge point.

2021 Sustainability 32 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in the Estuarine Area of the Pineios River: Seasonal Trends and Variability

Researchers examined microplastic concentrations and distribution patterns in the estuary area of Greece's Pineios River, finding clear seasonal variation with much higher levels in summer, and differences between sediment and water samples reflecting particle morphology and human activity patterns.

2025 Global NEST International Conference on Environmental Science & Technology
Article Tier 2

Students’ attitudes towards the environment and marine litter in the context of a coastal water quality educational citizen science project

Middle school students who participated in a citizen science project monitoring coastal water quality and microplastic pollution showed significantly more positive environmental attitudes afterward compared to a control group. The study suggests that hands-on engagement with real microplastic research can be an effective way to build environmental awareness in young people.

2023 Australian Journal of Environmental Education 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Abundance And Characteristics of Microplastics Contaminating The Surface Water of The Inner Gulf of Thailand

Researchers collected surface water samples from 25 locations in the Inner Gulf of Thailand and found widespread microplastic contamination with varying concentrations and particle types. The study adds to regional evidence that the Gulf of Thailand is significantly impacted by microplastic pollution from both marine and land-based sources.

2021 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics Across Interconnected Aquatic Matrices: A Comparative Study of Marine, Riverine, and Wastewater Matrices in Northern Greece

Researchers studied tiny plastic particles (microplastics) in seawater, rivers, and wastewater treatment plants in Northern Greece to see how much plastic pollution exists in the region's water systems. They developed a reliable method to measure these microscopic plastic pieces, which can enter our food chain through seafood and drinking water. This baseline data will help authorities track plastic pollution levels and develop strategies to reduce microplastics in water that could eventually affect human health.

2026 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Quantification and characterization of microplastics in the Thermaic Gulf, in the North Aegean Sea

Researchers collected and analyzed microplastics from seawater, beach sediments, and seven commercial fish species in the Thermaic Gulf of the North Aegean Sea in Greece. They recorded over 28,000 microplastic particles across all environmental samples, classifying them by size, shape, color, and polymer type. The study adds to the growing evidence that the Mediterranean Sea is heavily affected by microplastic pollution across multiple environmental compartments.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 22 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Particles in Sandy Beaches of Thessaloniki Gulf, Greece

Microplastic particles — fragments and fibers — were detected in beach sediments at three sampling locations along Thessaloniki Gulf in Greece, with higher concentrations near populated areas. The findings contribute to the growing documentation of microplastic contamination on Mediterranean beaches.

2023 WSEAS TRANSACTIONS ON ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in the Greek seas

This research investigated the distribution patterns of floating microplastics (300 µm - 5 mm) in Greek seas, finding high variability in concentrations (0.012 to 1.62 items/m2) with maximum concentrations associated with surface slicks rather than predicted hotspot locations near pollution sources. The study also examined microplastic morphological characteristics, with fragments being the dominant form found across the sampled areas.

2024
Article Tier 2

Exploring the microplastic pollution: Unveiling origins and varieties in coastal sediments and waters of the Bushehr Province, Persian Gulf, Iran

Researchers conducted a comprehensive survey of microplastic pollution in coastal sediments and waters along the Persian Gulf in Iran. They found microplastics at all sampling sites, with the highest concentrations near petrochemical facilities and urban centers, and fibers being the most common type. The study establishes baseline pollution data for the region and links contamination levels to specific human activities.

2023 Marine Pollution Bulletin 27 citations
Article Tier 2

Characteristics of microplastics on two beaches affected by different land uses in Salamina Island in Saronikos Gulf, east Mediterranean

Researchers compared microplastic pollution on two beaches of Salamina Island, Greece, and found differences tied to land use — one beach near industrial areas had more polyethylene fragments, while the other had more diverse plastic types. The study demonstrates how local human activities shape the types and amounts of microplastics found on nearby beaches.

2019 Marine Pollution Bulletin 27 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics Across Interconnected Aquatic Matrices: A Comparative Study of Marine, Riverine, and Wastewater Matrices in Northern Greece

Scientists studied tiny plastic particles (microplastics) in seawater, rivers, and wastewater treatment plants in Northern Greece to understand how much plastic pollution exists in the region's water systems. They developed a reliable method to measure these microscopic plastic pieces and established baseline pollution levels that can help authorities create better strategies to reduce plastic contamination. This matters because microplastics can enter our drinking water and food chain, and understanding where they're most concentrated helps protect both environmental and human health.

2026 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Assessment of microplastics distribution and stratification in the shallow marine sediments of Samos island, Eastern Mediterranean sea, Greece

Researchers surveyed microplastic distribution in shallow marine sediments around Samos Island, Greece, finding the highest concentrations on beaches and lower levels in deeper offshore sediments. The study suggests that beaches act as accumulation zones for microplastic pollution carried from land.

2019 Mediterranean Marine Science 29 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Pollution in the Coast of Tarragona

Students and educators in Tarragona, Spain conducted a citizen science study measuring microplastic concentrations in coastal seawater and beach sand. The study found microplastics at all sampling sites, demonstrating that even relatively less industrialized Mediterranean coastal areas face significant microplastic pollution.

2023 International Journal of Marine Science 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatio-temporal distribution of microplastic abundances in Izmir Bay (eastern Aegean Sea)

Sampling surface water and sediments at ten stations in Izmir Bay (eastern Aegean Sea) revealed widespread MP pollution, with concentrations up to 8 million particles per km² of surface water, dominated by plastic fragments. The study fills a gap in Mediterranean MP data and highlights the bay's vulnerability to contamination from nearby rivers, ports, and maritime traffic.

2023 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 9 citations
Article Tier 2

The occurrence of microplastic contamination in littoral sediments of the Persian Gulf, Iran

Researchers surveyed littoral sediments of the Persian Gulf for microplastics, finding plastic particles across all sampling sites with a variety of polymer types. The study provides early baseline contamination data for a region with major petrochemical and industrial activity.

2017 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 202 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial distribution of microplastics in Persian Gulf marine environments

A spatial survey of microplastics in Persian Gulf marine sediments found widespread contamination, with concentrations varying by location and depth. The study adds to evidence that the Gulf's semi-enclosed, heavily trafficked waters are a significant repository for microplastic pollution.

2025 Scientific Reports 1 citations
Review Tier 2

The Quality of Greek Islands’ Seawaters: A Scoping Review

This scoping review assessed seawater quality in Greek islands, finding that tourism growth, agricultural runoff, and microplastic contamination are increasingly threatening marine water quality, with implications for ecosystem health and the sustainability of island tourism economies.

2025 Applied Sciences
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution at the intersection of the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas: A study of the Datça Peninsula (Turkey)

Researchers conducted the first microplastic pollution survey along the Datca Peninsula on the southern Aegean coast of Turkey, finding contamination in sandy beach sediments at the intersection of the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas.

2019 Marine Pollution Bulletin 78 citations
Article Tier 2

Use of ROV for assessing marine litter on the seafloor of Saronikos Gulf (Greece): a way to fill data gaps and deliver environmental education

Researchers used a remotely operated underwater vehicle to survey marine litter on the seafloor of the Saronikos Gulf in Greece, finding that plastics and metals dominated the debris they recorded. The study also involved schoolchildren in the research cruise as part of an environmental education initiative within the PERSEUS project.

2015 SpringerPlus 43 citations
Article Tier 2

Identification of Microplastics Using µ-Raman Spectroscopy in Surface and Groundwater Bodies of SE Attica, Greece

Scientists found microplastics in both surface water and groundwater samples across southeastern Greece, with shallow wells containing far more particles than deeper sources. Four common plastic types were identified: polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and PET. The detection of microplastics even in deeper groundwater suggests these particles can migrate through soil layers, raising concerns about contamination of drinking water sources.

2024 Water 32 citations
Article Tier 2

Paddle surfing for science on microplastic pollution: a successful citizen science initiative

Researchers used paddle surfers as citizen scientists to collect microplastic samples from near-shore coastal waters in the Mediterranean Sea, filling a gap in data from areas close to the coastline. The study demonstrates how citizen science can expand microplastic monitoring to locations that are difficult to access with conventional research vessels.

2021 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Comparative Distribution of Microplastics in Different Inland Aquatic Ecosystems

Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in seven Greek inland water bodies differing in morphology and human impact, finding microplastics (predominantly fibers) in all samples with abundances from 0.60 particles/m³, highlighting contamination even in less impacted freshwater systems.

2025 Preprints.org