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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Pollution affects even oceanic marine protected areas in Southwestern Atlantic
ClearMicroplastic contamination in seawater across global marine protected areas boundaries
Researchers conducted a comprehensive assessment of microplastic contamination across global Marine Protected Areas, finding that these conservation zones are not immune to plastic pollution and highlighting the need for targeted mitigation strategies.
Plastic pollution transcends marine protected area boundaries in the eastern tropical and south-eastern Pacific
Researchers assessed plastic pollution across marine protected areas in the Eastern Tropical and South-Eastern Pacific, finding that microplastic contamination transcends MPA boundaries. The study suggests that even expanded conservation zones like the planned Mega MPA may not be sufficient to protect against diffuse threats like plastic pollution without targeted mitigation strategies.
Turning the tide on plastic pollution in St Helena and Ascension Island
Researchers assessed the scale and sources of plastic pollution on St Helena and Ascension Island, two remote UK overseas territories that have designated their entire exclusive economic zones as marine protected areas. Despite their remoteness, both islands accumulate ocean-transported plastic debris, challenging the assumption that MPA designation alone protects coastal environments from pollution.
Plastic litter in sediments from a marine area likely to become protected (Aeolian Archipelago's islands, Tyrrhenian sea)
Researchers surveyed plastic litter in sediments near the Aeolian Islands in Italy, a marine area under consideration for protected status, finding microplastics in all samples at levels comparable to harbor environments. The findings show that even relatively pristine marine areas designated for protection are not immune to plastic pollution.
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.
Far‐field connectivity of the UK's four largest marine protected areas: Four of a kind?
This study modeled ocean current connectivity between the UK's four largest marine protected areas and surrounding waters, finding that persistent pollutants including microplastics could be carried hundreds of kilometers into these protected zones from upstream sources. The findings challenge the assumption that geographically isolated MPAs are protected from external pollution.
Measurement of microplastic density in the Karimunjawa National Park, Central Java, Indonesia
Researchers measured microplastic abundance in the waters of the Karimunjawa National Park in Indonesia, a marine protected area, finding contamination despite its protected status. The results highlight that even designated conservation areas are not shielded from microplastic pollution carried by ocean currents.
Implications of Microplastic Pollution for the Conservation of Marine Protected Areas Authors
This study examines the implications of microplastic pollution for the conservation effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas, investigating whether the presence of microplastics undermines the environmental protection goals of these designated conservation zones.
Marine plastics threaten giant Atlantic Marine Protected Areas
Researchers surveyed plastic pollution across remote UK Atlantic Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and found beach debris increased more than tenfold over a decade, with plastics detected from the sea surface down to seamount depths. Plastic was found in organisms across the entire food web — from zooplankton to seabirds — indicating that MPA status alone cannot shield wildlife from plastic contamination.
Evaluating Microplastic Concentrations in the Al Hoceima Marine Protected Area: Implications for Identifying Pollution Hotspots and Formulating Conservation Strategies
Researchers assessed microplastic concentrations in the Al Hoceima Marine Protected Area in Morocco, sampling water, sediment, and biota to establish baseline contamination levels and evaluate whether protected area status effectively limits plastic pollution.
A global snapshot of microplastic contamination in sediments and biota of marine protected areas
A global snapshot of microplastic contamination in sediments and biota across marine protected areas (MPAs) found that microplastics are ubiquitous even in these conservation zones, undermining their protective function. The review synthesizes occurrence data and calls for microplastic monitoring to be integrated into MPA management plans.
Microplastic pollution in Marine Protected Areas of Southern Sri Lanka
Microplastic contamination was documented in coastal and lagoon sediments and water within two Marine Protected Areas in southern Sri Lanka, indicating that even protected zones are not shielded from plastic pollution.
Plastic and paint debris in marine protected areas of Peru
Researchers investigated microplastics, mesoplastics, and paint particles across multiple environmental compartments in two marine protected areas of Peru, revealing that even protected marine environments are contaminated with anthropogenic debris.
Unveiling the hidden threat of microplastics to coral reefs in remote South Atlantic islands
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination of coral reefs on remote South Atlantic islands, finding widespread microplastic presence in reef environments and raising concerns about the physiological and ecological harm to coral ecosystems far from human population centers.
Contaminação e toxicidade de microplásticos em uma área de proteção marinha costeira
This Brazilian study assessed microplastic contamination and toxicity in a coastal marine protected area, finding that sandy beaches accumulate plastic particles carried in by the ocean. The research highlights that even protected coastal zones are not immune to microplastic pollution, which can be ingested by marine wildlife and enter food webs.
Marine protected areas invaded by floating anthropogenic litter: An example from the South Pacific
Researchers found that marine protected areas in the Easter Island Ecoregion of the South Pacific are heavily invaded by floating anthropogenic litter traceable to high-seas industrial fisheries, with seabirds suffering both microplastic ingestion and macroplastic nest contamination.
Mapping microplastic overlap between marine compartments and biodiversity in a Mediterranean marine protected area
Researchers mapped microplastic distribution across water, sediment, and biota in a Mediterranean marine protected area, revealing significant overlap between microplastic hotspots and biodiversity-rich zones, raising concerns about ecological impacts in supposedly protected habitats.
Pelagic microplastics around an archipelago of the Equatorial Atlantic
Researchers surveyed pelagic microplastic abundance around the Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago in the Equatorial Atlantic, documenting the presence of microplastics at a remote mid-ocean location far from major urban centers. The findings extend the known geographic distribution of marine microplastic pollution to equatorial Atlantic waters and suggest widespread oceanic transport from distant sources.
Microplastic pollution in a philippine protected area: evidence from Siargao Island’s surface waters and Siganus spp.
Scientists found tiny plastic pieces in ocean waters and fish around a protected island in the Philippines, with nearly 80% of fish containing plastic particles in their stomachs. These microscopic plastics can move up the food chain when people eat contaminated fish, potentially affecting human health. The study shows that even protected ocean areas aren't safe from plastic pollution, highlighting the need for better waste management and reduced plastic use.
Assessment of plastic debris and biofouling in a specially protected area of the Antarctic Peninsula region
Researchers surveyed plastic debris on shores of an Antarctic Specially Protected Area, finding 730 items with 85% being plastic, dominated by polystyrene and PET, and noting that biofouling occurred on 25% of debris, indicating that even heavily protected environments are not immune to marine plastic pollution.
Marine litter arrived: Distribution and potential sources on an unpopulated atoll in the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve, Caribbean Sea
Even on an uninhabited atoll in the Caribbean, plastic litter dominated marine debris, with most items likely arriving from sea-based sources such as fishing vessels. This finding shows that remote, undeveloped locations are not immune to plastic pollution carried by ocean currents.
Plastics are a new threat to Palau’s coral reefs
Researchers detected microplastics in seawater, sediments, and beach sand around the pristine coral reef system of Palau, confirming that even remote, well-protected marine environments are not free from plastic pollution and highlighting the global reach of this contamination.
Microplastic pollution distribution: Differences between marine reserves and urbanised areas
Researchers compared microplastic concentrations in seafloor sediment cores from a developed coastal town and a nearby marine reserve in New Zealand, finding — surprisingly — four times more microplastic accumulation near the protected reserve than near the urban area. The finding suggests that ocean currents and seabed disturbance patterns, rather than just proximity to human activity, determine where microplastics concentrate on the seafloor.
Plastic pollution in islands of the Atlantic Ocean
A survey of plastic pollution on beaches of Atlantic Ocean islands from the Azores to Tristan da Cunha found microplastics and macroplastics at all locations, with composition suggesting origin from both local and long-distance ocean transport. The findings confirm that even remote Atlantic islands serve as sinks for globally circulating plastic debris.