Papers

61,005 results
|
Article Tier 2

Distribution and retention of microplastics in plantation mangrove forest sediments

Researchers investigated the spatial distribution and retention of microplastics in sediments of plantation mangrove forests, finding that mangrove plantations act as effective sinks for microplastics transported by ocean tides, with particle size and shape influencing where plastics accumulate within the forest structure.

2022 Chemosphere 24 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

Evidence of elevated microplastic accumulation in Pacific Island mangrove sediments

Researchers found that mangrove sediments in Fiji contained nearly ten times more microplastics than surrounding non-mangrove areas, with consistent results across both urban and rural sites. Fibers were the most common type of microplastic found, and the contamination levels were comparable to heavily polluted regions elsewhere in the world. The study highlights that mangroves, while vital coastal ecosystems, may be acting as significant traps for microplastic pollution in Pacific Island nations.

2025 Marine Pollution Bulletin 2 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

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

ACCUMULATION OF MICROPLASTICS (<300 µM) IN MANGROVE SEDIMENTS OF BANDA ACEH CITY, INDONESIA

Researchers measured microplastic accumulation in mangrove sediments in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, finding up to 3,840 particles per kilogram of sediment — with plastic pellets and fibers smaller than 300 micrometers being the most common types — suggesting these coastal ecosystems are acting as significant traps for plastic pollution from nearby land and waterways.

2025 Applied Ecology and Environmental Research 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial distribution of microplastics in the superficial sediment of a mangrove in Southeast Brazil: A comparison between fringe and basin

Microplastic distribution was compared between fringe and basin mangrove zones in southeastern Brazil, finding that basin forests trapped significantly more microplastics than fringe areas due to lower hydrodynamic energy and greater sediment retention.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 69 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

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

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

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

Depth Profiles of Microplastic in Sediment Cores in the Mangrove Area of Kuala Gula Mangrove, Malaysia

Researchers profiled microplastic abundance with depth in sediment cores from the Kuala Gula Mangrove in Malaysia, finding 25-130 items per kg dry weight and highest concentrations near rivermouth sites, demonstrating that mangrove sediments are significant microplastic sinks.

2023 Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 22 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution, characteristics, and human exposure to microplastics in mangroves within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area

Researchers mapped microplastic distribution across three mangroves in the Greater Bay Area of southern China, finding concentrations up to 1,600 particles per kilogram with higher levels at forest fringes, and assessed potential human exposure pathways.

2022 Marine Pollution Bulletin 24 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial Distribution of Microplastics in Mangrove Sediments of a Polluted Embayment in the Eastern Tropical Pacific

Researchers monitored microplastic presence and spatial distribution in intertidal mangrove sediments at four stations in Buenaventura Bay, Colombian Pacific over two years (2018 and 2021), finding microplastics in all sediment samples with a significant increase in average particle abundance between years and notable differences across sampling stations.

2025 Air Soil and Water Research
Meta Analysis Tier 1

Identifying patterns of microplastic accumulation in coastal vegetated habitats: A systematic review and meta-analysis

A meta-analysis of microplastic accumulation in coastal vegetated habitats found that mangroves have the highest microplastic concentrations compared to saltmarshes and seagrass beds, especially near urban centers and fishing zones. Nearly 40% of comparisons showed higher microplastic accumulation in vegetated versus unvegetated sites, with degraded habitats accumulating more plastics.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Singapore’s coastal mangrove ecosystems

Researchers sampled coastal mangrove ecosystems in Singapore and found microplastics throughout, demonstrating that mangrove habitats accumulate plastic pollution and raising concerns for the organisms that depend on these ecologically important coastal forests.

2013 Marine Pollution Bulletin 977 citations
Article Tier 2

Are mangrove ecosystems plastic accumulation zones?

Researchers monitored macroplastic and microplastic pollution across nine mangrove sites on Cebu Island, Philippines, for over a year using paired removal and reference plots, finding that mangrove ecosystems function as significant plastic accumulation zones with differing dynamics between landward and seaward zones.

2025 The Science of The Total Environment
Article Tier 2

How mangrove plants affect microplastic distribution in sediments of coastal wetlands: Case study in Shenzhen Bay, South China

The effect of different mangrove plant species on microplastic distribution in coastal wetland sediments was investigated, finding that plant species significantly influenced where microplastics accumulated. The study suggests that mangrove root and canopy structures create preferential zones for microplastic retention in coastal sediments.

2020 The Science of The Total Environment 159 citations
Article Tier 2

Abundance of Microplastics in Mangrove Sediments on Pari Island, Jakarta Bay, Indonesia

Researchers sampled mangrove sediments on Pari Island in Jakarta Bay in two seasons and identified microplastics by shape, color, size, and polymer type, finding that seasonal variation affected abundance and distribution. The study documents microplastic accumulation in a mangrove ecosystem adjacent to the Indonesian capital.

2024
Article Tier 2

Linking human activity to spatial accumulation of microplastics along mangrove coasts

Researchers sampled 50 locations along the largest mangrove coast in China to quantify how human activities drive microplastic accumulation in mangrove sediments. They found that densely populated areas and tourism hotspots contributed large white foam particles, while fishing areas produced smaller fragment-type microplastics. The study provides quantitative evidence linking specific human activities to distinct patterns of microplastic contamination in mangrove ecosystems.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 55 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Contamination in Water, Sediment, and Biota in Mangrove Forests

This review synthesized research on microplastic contamination in mangrove forest water, sediment, and biota, finding that mangroves act as both sinks and potential sources of microplastics due to their complex hydrodynamics, with ecotoxicological data on mangrove-specific organisms remaining limited.

2025
Article Tier 2

Ecological interception effect of mangroves on microplastics

Researchers found that mangroves act as an ecological barrier intercepting microplastics, with MP abundance decreasing from river inputs toward the ocean, demonstrating the role of mangrove ecosystems in filtering plastic pollution before it reaches open waters.

2021 Journal of Hazardous Materials 121 citations
Article Tier 2

Anthropogenic marine debris and its dynamics across peri-urban and urban mangroves on Penang Island, Malaysia

Researchers tracked the accumulation of marine debris in urban and semi-urban mangroves on Penang Island, Malaysia, finding that debris abundance varied with season, tidal patterns, and proximity to urban areas. Mangroves act as debris traps, concentrating plastic waste including microplastics that filter through their root systems.

2019 18 citations