Papers

20 results
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Article Tier 2

Human Population Density is a Poor Predictor of Debris in the Environment

Researchers assessed factors driving plastic leakage to the environment using empirical data from seven countries and found that human population density alone is a poor predictor of debris levels. The study suggests that other factors, including waste management infrastructure and local land use, are more important drivers of environmental plastic pollution than population density estimates commonly used in global models.

2021 Frontiers in Environmental Science 70 citations
Article Tier 2

Plastic pollutions in the ocean: their sources, causes, effects and control measures

This review provides a broad overview of plastic pollution in the ocean, covering its sources, environmental impacts, and effects on marine wildlife and human health. Researchers noted that ocean plastic concentrations can reach hundreds of thousands of pieces per square kilometer, with ingestion and entanglement affecting hundreds of marine species. The study calls for stronger international regulations and improved waste management to curb the growing tide of ocean plastic.

2023 Journal of Biological Studies 19 citations
Article Tier 2

Marine plastic pollution in West Africa – the case of Ivory Coast

Researchers documented marine plastic pollution in Ivory Coast, West Africa, measuring plastic inputs, concentrations in coastal environments, and characterizing polymer types. With annual per capita plastic consumption of 19-26 kg and poor waste management infrastructure, the country faces rapidly growing plastic pollution pressure with inadequate monitoring in place.

2025
Article Tier 2

Plastics in the Indian Ocean – sources, fate, distribution and impacts

This review synthesizes data on plastic sources, distribution, sinks, and ecological impacts specifically in the Indian Ocean, finding the region understudied relative to the Atlantic and Pacific despite significant local plastic pollution pressures.

2021 23 citations
Article Tier 2

Plastic Pollution in Oceans: a Review

This review examines plastic pollution in the world's oceans, covering sources, distribution pathways, ecological impacts, and the current state of scientific understanding of marine plastic contamination.

2024 Indian Journal of Scientific Research 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Understanding the socioeconomic determinants of marine plastic pollution: Evaluating policy effectiveness and mitigation strategies in the Global South.

Researchers synthesized qualitative and quantitative evidence on marine plastic pollution in the Global South, identifying rapid urbanization, inadequate waste infrastructure, and weak governance as primary drivers, and recommending integrated strategies combining single-use plastic bans, extended producer responsibility, regional cooperation, and circular economy incentives.

2026 Marine pollution bulletin
Article Tier 2

Plastic pollution in the marine environment

This review provides a comprehensive overview of plastic pollution in coastal and marine environments, covering everything from how plastics enter the ocean to their effects on marine life. Researchers compiled global data showing microplastic concentrations ranging widely across different water bodies and sediments, with marine organisms accumulating significant amounts. The study underscores that plastic pollution causes ecological damage through entanglement, ingestion toxicity, and the transport of invasive species.

2020 Heliyon 939 citations
Article Tier 2

Correlation Analysis and Countermeasure Research of Mismanaged Plastic Waste

This study used statistical modeling to analyze the factors driving mismanaged plastic waste globally, finding that high-income countries and regions with high international tourist flows contribute disproportionately to plastic waste that pollutes marine environments. The authors recommend economic incentives and stronger responsibility frameworks for these higher-income contexts.

2022 Advances in economics, business and management research/Advances in Economics, Business and Management Research
Article Tier 2

Occurrence of microplastic pollution in rivers globally: Driving factors of distribution and ecological risk assessment

Researchers constructed a global dataset of microplastic pollution across 862 river water and 445 sediment samples, identifying population density, GDP, and plastic waste generation as key driving factors of riverine microplastic distribution and ecological risk.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 43 citations
Article Tier 2

Global analysis of marine plastics and implications of control measure strategies

This study provides a global overview of ocean plastic pollution, finding that plastic production has grown dramatically since the 1950s and over 1,000 rivers contribute 80% of the plastic entering oceans, with Asia as the largest source. Small microplastics dominate ocean surface contamination by particle count, even though larger pieces account for more mass. The review highlights that without major changes in waste management and recycling, plastic pollution will continue to threaten marine food chains and the people who depend on seafood.

2023 Frontiers in Marine Science 36 citations
Article Tier 2

Marine plastic pollution in Morocco: state of the knowledge on origin, occurrence, fate, and management

Researchers reviewed the state of marine plastic pollution in Morocco, identifying fishing, tourism, and maritime trade as major sources of coastal plastic inputs and finding that data gaps, inadequate waste management infrastructure, and weak enforcement of disposal laws are the primary barriers to addressing the problem.

2023 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 36 citations
Article Tier 2

A Regional Difference Analysis of Microplastic Pollution in Global Freshwater Bodies Based on a Regression Model

Analysis of microplastic data from 37 freshwater locations worldwide found pollution is highest in Asia, that developing countries have more contamination than developed ones, and that urban areas exceed rural areas. Population density and GDP both correlated with microplastic concentrations, confirming human activity as the primary driver.

2020 Water 59 citations
Article Tier 2

A Meta-Analytical Review on Microplastic Pollution in the Indian Ocean

Researchers conducted a meta-analytical review of microplastic pollution across the Indian Ocean, examining prevalence, characteristics, sources, and distribution patterns. They found that India plays a significant role in contributing to microplastic contamination in the region, with pollution detected across marine and terrestrial ecosystems. The study highlights the need for targeted mitigation strategies based on the specific pollution patterns and sources identified in the Indian Ocean basin.

2024 2 citations
Article Tier 2

The geopolitical economy of Thailand's marine plastic pollution crisis

Researchers examined the geopolitical and economic factors driving Thailand's status as one of the world's largest contributors to ocean plastic pollution, finding that governance failures, economic development pressures, and global plastic supply chains are key structural drivers that environmental management has not adequately addressed.

2020 Asia Pacific Viewpoint 76 citations
Article Tier 2

The impact of improper solid waste management to plastic pollution in Indonesian coast and marine environment

Indonesia's plastic pollution problem in coastal and marine environments is largely driven by improper solid waste management on land, with rivers carrying significant plastic loads to the sea. The study emphasizes that improving terrestrial waste collection and disposal infrastructure is essential for reducing Indonesia's substantial contribution to ocean plastic pollution.

2019 Marine Pollution Bulletin 226 citations
Article Tier 2

Plastic waste discharge to the global ocean constrained by seawater observations

Researchers used ocean plastic concentration data combined with multiple ocean circulation models to estimate that approximately 0.7 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean each year, though uncertainty spans nearly 1.5 orders of magnitude. The study emphasizes that improving emission inventories and ocean monitoring data are the highest priorities for reducing uncertainty in global plastic pollution estimates.

2023 Nature Communications 108 citations
Article Tier 2

Challenges and Opportunities in Managing Marine Debris: a Case Study of Pancana Village With a Bibliometric Perspective

Researchers combined bibliometric analysis of 2000-2023 marine debris literature with a field case study in Pancana Village, Indonesia, finding that plastic accounts for 78% of coastal debris and that land-based waste is the primary pollution source. The study identifies community-based waste management and policy interventions as key areas for addressing the marine debris crisis.

2024 International Journal Of Education Social Studies And Management (IJESSM) 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Mapping of global plastic value chain and plastic losses to the environment: with a particular focus on marine environment

This report maps the global plastic value chain from production through use to waste management, estimating that millions of tonnes of plastic enter the ocean each year, with significant regional variation in management capacity. The analysis provides the economic and waste management context needed to understand why plastic pollution — and the resulting microplastic problem — continues to grow globally.

2018 Technical University of Denmark, DTU Orbit (Technical University of Denmark, DTU) 47 citations
Review Tier 2

Amounts, Sources, Fates and Ecological Impacts of Marine Litter and Microplastics in the Western Indian Ocean Region: A Review and Recommendations for Actions

This review synthesizes 147 marine litter studies from the Western Indian Ocean region spanning 1973-2021, characterizing quantities and composition of litter across ecosystem compartments, identifying urban runoff and beachgoers as dominant sources, summarizing organism interactions with litter, and providing recommendations to address knowledge gaps and regional management needs.

2022 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Oceanic pollution; A threat to life

This brief overview discusses multiple forms of ocean pollution, including plastic debris, and their threats to marine ecosystems. The author calls for urgent global action to prevent further degradation of ocean health.

2021 Pure and Applied Biology 1 citations