Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Comprehensive risk assessment of microplastics in tidal channel sediments in amazonian mangroves (northern Brazil)

Researchers assessed microplastic pollution in mangrove sediments along an estuary in the Brazilian Amazon, finding contamination at all nine sampling sites with an average of 433 particles per kilogram. While the contamination was classified as low-level, the presence of microplastics in this remote Amazonian ecosystem shows the global reach of plastic pollution. Mangroves are critical nursery habitats for fish and shellfish, so contamination here could affect seafood safety for local communities.

2024 Journal of Environmental Management 16 citations
Article Tier 2

Vertical distribution of microplastics in mangrove sediment in a tropical estuarine region.

Researchers characterized vertical microplastic distribution in sediment cores from mangrove fringe sites in the Piraque-Acu and Piraque-Mirim estuary in eastern Brazil, finding concentrations ranging from 80 to 960 items per kg dry weight using a saline flotation and vacuum filtration protocol.

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

Vertical distribution of microplastics in mangrove sediment in a tropical estuarine region.

Researchers characterized vertical microplastic distribution in sediment cores from mangrove fringe sites in the Piraque-Acu and Piraque-Mirim estuary in eastern Brazil, finding concentrations ranging from 80 to 960 items per kg dry weight using a saline flotation and vacuum filtration protocol.

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

Microplastic contamination in the mangroves of Piraquê-Açu and Piraquê-Mirim rivers, Aracruz (Brazil): An analysis in sediment, water, and biota

Researchers found widespread microplastic contamination in a Brazilian mangrove ecosystem, detecting over 7,800 particles across water, sediment, and two species of shellfish consumed by local communities. Oysters contained higher microplastic levels than mussels, and sediments served as the main collection point for the particles. Since these shellfish are an important food source, the contamination represents a direct pathway for human microplastic ingestion.

2025 Marine Pollution Bulletin 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Abundance and distribution of microplastics in tropical estuarine mangrove areas around Penang, Malaysia

This study documented microplastic pollution in tropical mangrove estuaries around Penang, Malaysia, finding thousands of plastic particles in both water and sediment samples. Concentrations were particularly high near the more urbanized Seberang Perai area, where sediment contained up to 4,000 particles per kilogram. The research highlights that tropical mangroves, which serve as important nursery habitats for marine life, are accumulating significant amounts of microplastic pollution.

2023 Frontiers in Marine Science 25 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic in the sediments of a highly eutrophic tropical estuary

Researchers quantified and characterized microplastics in sublittoral sediments of Guanabara Bay, a highly eutrophic tropical estuary in Brazil, finding widespread contamination with fibers and fragments at concentrations reflecting the bay's heavy urbanization and poor waste management.

2019 Marine Pollution Bulletin 106 citations
Article Tier 2

Characterization and risk assessment of microplastics accumulated in sediments and benthic molluscs in the mangrove wetlands along the south-west coast of India

Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in mangrove sediments and four species of benthic molluscs from Vembanad Lake, a major estuary on India's southwest coast. Average sediment contamination levels were relatively high compared to other mangrove regions in India, with polyethylene and polypropylene as the dominant polymers, and ecological risk indices indicated severe microplastic pollution risk for the molluscs studied.

2025 Marine Pollution Bulletin 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial and vertical distribution of microplastics in mangrove sediment in the southern Philippines

This study mapped microplastic contamination in the sediments of three mangrove forests in Mindanao, Philippines, finding particles at all sites with counts ranging from 83 to 2,250 items per kilogram depending on location. Fragment shapes dominated near one river mouth while fibers dominated at a coastal site, and polypropylene was the most common polymer overall. Microplastic levels and types appeared linked to local economic activity, fishing, and waste management practices. The findings provide baseline data for protecting these ecologically important coastal ecosystems.

2025 Marine Environmental Research 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Widespread microplastic pollution in mangrove soils of Todos os Santos Bay, northern Brazil

Researchers found widespread microplastic pollution in mangrove soils around Todos os Santos Bay in Brazil, detecting contamination at multiple depths and distances from the tidal area, highlighting mangroves as previously overlooked sinks for microplastic accumulation.

2022 Environmental Research 91 citations
Article Tier 2

Characteristics and distribution of microplastics in the coastal mangrove sediments of China

A survey of mangrove sediments along China's coast found microplastics were ubiquitous, with concentrations and polymer types varying by proximity to human activity and hydrological conditions. The study shows that mangrove forests, which provide critical coastal ecosystem services, are accumulating significant quantities of plastic pollution.

2019 The Science of The Total Environment 213 citations
Article Tier 2

Meso- and microplastic composition, distribution patterns and drivers: A snapshot of plastic pollution on Brazilian beaches

A standardized survey of plastic pollution across 22 sandy beaches spanning over 4600 km of Brazilian coast found widespread contamination in coastal sediments, with polymer type, size, and distribution patterns reflecting diverse sources including fishing activity and urban runoff.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 29 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessment of secondary microplastics trapped in mangrove ecosystem of a highly populated tropical megacity, India

Researchers quantified microplastic contamination in Mumbai's mangrove ecosystem across six zones and 30 sampling sites. They found an average of 6,730 microplastic particles per kilogram of dry sediment, dominated by fibers and polyethylene, with concentrations decreasing at greater sediment depths, highlighting the need for management policies to protect coastal environments.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in mangrove and beach sediments on southeast Florida barrier islands

Researchers quantified and characterized microplastic abundance, distribution, and variation in estuarine mangrove and beach sediments across southeast Florida barrier islands. The study aimed to improve understanding of microplastic hazards in these coastal ecosystems to support conservation efforts for mangrove and beach environments.

2025 Shore & Beach
Article Tier 2

Quantifying microplastic pollution in South African mangrove forests: A comparative analysis of abundance, morphotype, polymer composition and toxicity.

Researchers quantified microplastic pollution in South African mangrove forests using a comparative approach across multiple sites, filling a baseline knowledge gap for African coastal ecosystems where prior data is scarce. Microplastics were detected across mangrove sediments at levels that varied with proximity to urban and anthropogenic pressure.

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

Quantifying microplastic pollution in South African mangrove forests: A comparative analysis of abundance, morphotype, polymer composition and toxicity.

Researchers quantified microplastic pollution in South African mangrove forest sediments across multiple sites, providing rare baseline data for African coastal ecosystems that are underrepresented in global microplastic research. Microplastics were detected at all sampled mangrove sites, with contamination levels varying in relation to proximity to urban development and river inputs.

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

Microplastics in a mosaic of Marine Protected Areas from southeastern Brazil: An assessment based on filter-feeding bivalves

Researchers used filter-feeding bivalves as biological monitors to assess microplastic contamination across 28 marine protected areas along a heavily populated stretch of coastline in southeastern Brazil. They found microplastics in bivalves from all sites surveyed, demonstrating that protected status alone does not shield marine areas from plastic pollution. The study highlights how diffuse, transboundary plastic contamination reaches even designated conservation zones.

2026 Marine Pollution Bulletin 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics Identification in an Environmental Reserve Area of Ilha de Itamaracá - PE

Researchers identified and characterized microplastics in water, sediment, and biota from an environmental reserve area in Brazil, documenting contamination by particles originating from both fragmentation of larger plastic items and primary microplastics, showing that even protected coastal areas are not free of MP pollution.

2025 Journal of Environmental Analysis and Progress
Article Tier 2

Micro-contaminant, but immense impact: Source and influence of diethyl phthalate plasticizer on bottom-dwelling fishes

Researchers tracked microplastic accumulation in mangrove sediments along a tropical coastline, finding concentrations up to 1,200 particles per kilogram of dry sediment. Mangroves appear to act as sinks for floating plastic debris, with fibers dominating the assemblage.

2022 Chemosphere 15 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics pollution in tropical estuary (Muttukadu Backwater), Southeast Coast of India: Occurrence, distribution characteristics, potential sources and ecological risk assessment

Scientists surveyed microplastic contamination in the water and sediments of a tropical estuary on India's southeast coast. They found moderate to high levels of microplastic pollution, with common polymers like polyethylene and polystyrene contributing the most to ecological risk. The presence of trace metals on microplastic surfaces suggests these particles may also serve as carriers for heavy metal contamination in coastal ecosystems.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics' occurrence, distribution, and chemical toxicity in backwater sediments from Puducherry Coast, Southeast India

Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in sediment cores from three sites along India's Puducherry coast, finding over 100 microplastic particles per square centimeter near the surface — with fibers and fragments made of PE, PP, and PET being most common — and high pollution risk scores at all sites.

2025 Kuwait Journal of Science 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Profil Pencemaran Mikroplastik Pada Sedimen Ekosistem Mangrove di Pulau Serangan, Bali

Indonesian researchers measured microplastic contamination in mangrove sediments at Serangan Island, Bali, sampling across different depths and land-use types to map the distribution of plastic particles in this coastal ecosystem. Mangroves act as natural plastic traps due to their dense root networks, making them important sentinels for monitoring coastal plastic pollution.

2026 Metamorfosa Journal of Biological Sciences
Article Tier 2

Microplastics contamination and toxicity in a coastal marine protected area

This study examined microplastic contamination and toxicity in a Brazilian coastal marine protected area, finding plastic particles accumulating on beaches and posing risks to filter-feeding organisms and marine food webs. Even protected coastal areas are not shielded from microplastic pollution.

2016 LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas)
Article Tier 2

A first assessment of microplastic abundance in sandy beach sediments of the Paranaguá Estuarine Complex, South Brazil (RAMSAR site)

Researchers conducted the first assessment of microplastic abundance in sandy beach sediments at 19 sites within the Paranaguá Estuarine Complex in South Brazil, finding 398 microplastic particles dominated by foam, hard fragments, and paint chips across this ecologically sensitive RAMSAR-listed wetland.

2022 Marine Pollution Bulletin 36 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination in no-take Marine Protected Areas of Brazil: Bivalves as sentinels

Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in ten no-take Marine Protected Areas across Brazil using filter-feeding bivalves as sentinel organisms. They found microplastics in all sampled locations, with concentrations peaking at natural monuments, though no-take MPAs were generally less contaminated than unprotected areas. The predominant polymers were organic and alkyd-based, with fragments smaller than 1,000 micrometers being most common, raising concerns about ecological risks even in protected marine environments.

2025 Environmental Research 9 citations