Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Review: Microplastics pollution understanding of beachgoers in Cape Town: South Africa — R1/PR7

A questionnaire survey of beachgoers at two Cape Town beaches found that most participants had basic awareness of microplastic pollution, but understanding of its health risks and sources was limited, highlighting the need for targeted public education campaigns.

2025
Article Tier 2

Recommendation: Microplastics pollution understanding of beachgoers in Cape Town: South Africa — R1/PR8

Researchers surveyed beachgoers at Muizenberg and Lagoon Beach in Cape Town, South Africa, using convenience sampling to assess knowledge and understanding of microplastic pollution. Participants showed varying levels of awareness about microplastic sources, environmental impacts, and health effects, with results informing how coastal communities can be better educated about plastic pollution.

2025
Article Tier 2

Decision: Microplastics pollution understanding of beachgoers in Cape Town: South Africa — R1/PR9

Researchers surveyed beachgoers at Muizenberg and Lagoon Beach in Cape Town, South Africa, using convenience sampling to assess knowledge and understanding of microplastic pollution. Participants showed varying levels of awareness about microplastic sources, environmental impacts, and health effects, with results informing how coastal communities can be better educated about plastic pollution.

2025
Article Tier 2

Recommendation: Microplastics pollution understanding of beachgoers in Cape Town: South Africa — R0/PR4

A survey of Cape Town beachgoers at two beaches found general awareness of microplastic pollution among participants aged under 18 to 64, though knowledge of specific exposure routes and health effects varied, informing public education strategies.

2024
Article Tier 2

Decision: Microplastics pollution understanding of beachgoers in Cape Town: South Africa — R0/PR5

This is a peer reviewer decision document for a study on microplastic pollution awareness among beachgoers in Cape Town, South Africa, summarizing editorial comments on the submitted manuscript.

2024
Article Tier 2

Author comment: Microplastics pollution understanding of beachgoers in Cape Town: South Africa — R1/PR6

This is an author response to reviewers for a study on microplastic pollution understanding among beachgoers in Cape Town, South Africa, addressing reviewer comments on the methodology and findings.

2024
Article Tier 2

Public Health Knowledge and Perception of Microplastics Pollution: Lessons from the Lagos Lagoon

A survey of public knowledge and perceptions about microplastic pollution in Lagos Lagoon, Nigeria found widespread awareness of plastic pollution but limited understanding of microplastics specifically, highlighting the need for targeted public health education.

2021 Research Square (Research Square) 17 citations
Article Tier 2

Public Awareness, Knowledge, Attitude and Perception on Microplastics Pollution Around Lagos Lagoon

Researchers surveyed public awareness, knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding microplastic pollution around Lagos Lagoon in Nigeria, finding significant gaps in understanding among residents, students, and fishermen about microplastic health and ecological risks.

2022 Ecological Safety and Balanced Use of Resources 36 citations
Article Tier 2

Characteristics and distribution of litter, mesolitter and microplastics in Table Bay, Cape Town, South Africa

Researchers characterized the size, shape, type, and distribution of litter and microplastics in Table Bay, Cape Town, finding significant contamination in both beach sediments and nearshore waters. The study provides baseline data for monitoring plastic pollution in this South African coastal ecosystem.

2023 Research Square (Research Square) 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Environmental concentrations, characteristics and risk assessment of microplastics in water and sediment along the Western Cape coastline, South Africa

Researchers measured microplastic levels in water and sediment at 14 sites along the Western Cape coastline of South Africa. They found that sediment contained significantly more microplastics than water, with harbors being the primary contamination hotspot. The study identified polyester, polyethylene, and polypropylene as the most common plastic types and flagged potential ecological risks at several sampling locations.

2023 Heliyon 18 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic concentrations and risk assessment in water, sediment and invertebrates from Simon's Town, South Africa

Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in water, sediment, and invertebrates at Simon's Town, South Africa, and conducted an associated risk assessment. The study found microplastic contamination across all environmental compartments, reflecting the broader problem of poor waste management contributing to plastic pollution in South African coastal areas.

2024 Heliyon 16 citations
Article Tier 2

Unveiling Microplastic Ignorance: A Study on Knowledge and Awareness Among Pune’s Urban Population – A Mixed Method Approach

Researchers used a mixed-methods approach—qualitative interviews and a quantitative survey—to assess microplastic knowledge and awareness among 100 urban residents in Pune, India. General awareness was moderate, but specific knowledge of exposure sources and health risks was limited, suggesting public education campaigns focused on practical exposure reduction are needed.

2025 Nature Environment and Pollution Technology
Article Tier 2

A quantitative analysis of microplastic pollution along the south-eastern coastline of South Africa

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in beach sediments and surf-zone water along the south-eastern coast of South Africa, finding significantly higher concentrations in sheltered bays than on open coastlines. The study provides rare Southern Hemisphere baseline data and confirms that bay morphology influences microplastic accumulation.

2015 Marine Pollution Bulletin 356 citations
Article Tier 2

Conceptions of university students on microplastics in Germany

Researchers surveyed German university students to capture their conceptions and misconceptions about microplastics, finding significant gaps between scientific knowledge and public understanding. The findings provide a basis for improving science communication and educational strategies around microplastic pollution.

2021 PLoS ONE 26 citations
Article Tier 2

Exploring the microplastics health impacts risk perception in Iranian people: Challenges and improvement strategies

Researchers surveyed Iranians to assess their awareness and risk perception of microplastic health hazards, finding significant gaps in public understanding despite growing environmental contamination. The study proposes strategies spanning individual behavior, community education, and national policy to improve microplastic risk management.

2025 Environmental Health Engineering and Management
Article Tier 2

Do microplastic loads reflect the population demographics along the southern African coastline?

Researchers investigated whether microplastic contamination levels in the marine environment correlate with population demographics along the southern African coast, examining whether human density and activity patterns predict microplastic loads.

2016 Marine Pollution Bulletin 152 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence, distribution and provenance of micro plastics: A large scale quantitative analysis of beach sediments from southeastern coast of South Africa

Microplastics were found in high abundance across nine tourist beaches in South Africa, with polypropylene and rayon dominating, and concentrations highest in Durban city beaches influenced by coastal currents and urban plastic inputs. Surface analysis revealed weathering features consistent with long-term environmental exposure.

2020 The Science of The Total Environment 59 citations
Article Tier 2

Analysis of public awareness and perception of microplastic particles in Roumania

A survey study assessed public awareness and perception of microplastic pollution among the Romanian population, finding significant gaps in knowledge about MP sources, health effects, and environmental fate, with educational level and geographic factors influencing awareness levels.

2025 Revue Roumaine de Chimie
Article Tier 2

Marine and freshwater microplastic research in South Africa

This review summarizes microplastic research in South Africa, noting that both marine and freshwater studies are still limited but growing. The review highlights key knowledge gaps, particularly in freshwater environments, that need to be addressed to understand the extent of South Africa's microplastic contamination.

2017 Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management 49 citations
Article Tier 2

Debris Surveys in Three African Cities Demonstrate Influence of Local Clean-Up Efforts

This paper is not relevant to microplastics; it surveys plastic debris density on land and coastlines in Cape Town, Durban, and Mombasa, finding local sources — rather than ocean currents — are the primary driver of debris accumulation.

2023 Sustainability 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Pollution: Exploring the Role of Social Class on Awareness, and Exposure

Researchers examined the relationship between social class and awareness of microplastic pollution through qualitative methods, literature reviews, and interviews. They found that socioeconomic status alone does not fully explain variations in public understanding, with factors like access to credible information, environmental education quality, and community norms playing equally significant roles. The study recommends a multidimensional approach combining improved public education, policy reforms, and community participation to address microplastic pollution across different social groups.

2026 Jurnal Ilmu Kedokteran dan Kesehatan Indonesia
Article Tier 2

Assessment of Public Awareness, Knowledge, Attitude and Perception on Microplastics Pollution in Kaduna Metropolis, Kaduna

A survey of 384 residents of Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria found generally low awareness of microplastic pollution and its health implications, with most respondents unfamiliar with the term and unaware of microplastics in their food and water supply.

2025 Ghana Journal of Geography 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Making sense of microplastics? Public understandings of plastic pollution

Researchers conducted focus groups to explore public understanding of microplastics and plastic pollution. Most participants were unaware of microplastics, and few connected their personal plastic use to ocean pollution, instead associating the issue with distant images like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. The study suggests that the invisible scale of microplastics, limited scientific understanding, and deeply embedded cultural habits around plastic use present significant barriers to behavior change.

2020 Marine Pollution Bulletin 293 citations
Article Tier 2

Stormwater outlets: A source of microplastics in coastal zones of Cape Town, South Africa

Sampling of coastal water, sediment, and biota near Cape Town stormwater outlets in both dry and wet seasons found microplastics in all matrices, confirming urban stormwater runoff as a significant pathway for microplastic delivery to coastal zones.

2023 Marine Pollution Bulletin 16 citations