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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Evaluation of Urbanization Influences on Beach Sediment Contamination with Heavy Metals Along the Littoral Zone of Alexandria City, Egypt
ClearAssessment of microplastic and trace element pollution in the southeastern Mediterranean coasts, Egypt, using shellfish Arca noae as a bioindicator
Researchers found microplastics in 48% of shellfish (Arca noae) sampled from five sites along Egypt's southeastern Mediterranean coast, with polyethylene as the dominant polymer, and detected zinc, cadmium, and lead in soft tissues at concentrations exceeding maximum permissible limits.
Assessment of Heavy Metal Contamination and Pollution Indices in Avicennia marina of Nabq Mangrove Forest, the Red Sea, Egypt
Not relevant to microplastics — this study assesses heavy metal concentrations (including copper, zinc, and lead) in the tissues of mangrove trees in an Egyptian Red Sea nature reserve to evaluate contamination from urbanization and industry.
Spatial Distribution and Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Sediments of the Mangrove Ecosystem in Ras Mohammed Protectorate, Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea
Researchers measured heavy metal concentrations (including lead, cadmium, copper, and zinc) in mangrove sediments of Ras Mohammed Protectorate in the Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea, and assessed ecological risks. The spatial distribution showed variation across sites, with some metals elevated above background levels in areas closer to human activities.
Assessment of Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals and Their Ecological Risk in Sea Lettuce (Ulva spp.) along the Coast Alexandria, Egypt: Implications for Sustainable Management
Researchers investigated heavy metal contamination in sea lettuce (Ulva species) and surrounding sediments and waters at seven eutrophicated locations along the Mediterranean coast of Alexandria, Egypt. The study found moderate to high contamination levels for most elements, with the El-Tabia and Abu Qir locations showing the highest concentrations due to proximity to industrial drains and harbors. Bioaccumulation analysis revealed that the studied seaweed species are effective accumulators of heavy metals, which has implications for both ecological monitoring and sustainable coastal management.
Heavy metal mobility and bioavailability in sediment fractions of major tourist beaches on the south-west coast of India: Implications for coastal ecological health
Researchers applied sequential extraction to sediments from four tourist beaches in Kovalam, India, characterizing the mobility and bioavailability of seven heavy metals across five geochemical fractions, finding copper and cadmium at high pollution and enrichment levels and identifying significant non-carcinogenic health risks for children from lead, chromium, zinc, and copper at all beaches.
Distribution, pollution, and human health risks of persistent and potentially toxic elements in the sediments around Hainan Island, China
Researchers measured six potentially toxic elements — including cadmium, arsenic, and lead — in marine sediments around Hainan Island, China, finding that cadmium and zinc showed the highest pollution levels linked to human activities, and that zinc contamination in one city posed potential carcinogenic health risks to children and adults.
Plastics and Five Heavy Metals from Sea Beaches: A Geographical Synthesis of the Literary Information
This review synthesizes published geographical data on the co-occurrence of plastics and five heavy metals (cadmium, chromium, mercury, nickel, and zinc) on sea beaches worldwide, identifying approximately twenty localities across multiple regions where beached plastics carry elevated metal contamination. The synthesis highlights the dual hazard of plastic and heavy metal pollution in coastal zones and underscores gaps in global monitoring coverage.
Environmental Quality and Ecological Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in the Zhuhai Coast, China
Researchers assessed heavy metal distribution and ecological risk in seawater, sediments, and organisms across the Zhuhai coast of China, finding that copper, zinc, and lead exceeded seawater standards and that cadmium and copper posed moderately high ecological risk. Chemical company emissions were identified as the main contributors to the elevated cadmium and copper levels.
Characterization and distribution of plastic particles along Alexandria beaches, Mediterranean Coast of Egypt, using microscopy and thermal analysis techniques
Researchers characterized plastic particles in sediments and surface water along Alexandria beaches in Egypt, finding mean concentrations of 389 items per kilogram dry sediment and 457 items per cubic meter in surface water. Thermogravimetric and calorimetric analysis identified 10 polymer types, with low-density polyethylene dominant, and linked contamination primarily to single-use plastic bags, detergent packaging, and seafaring activities.
Mapping of heavy metal contamination associated with microplastics marine debris - A case study: Dubai, UAE
XRF analysis of 480 microplastic pieces extracted from Dubai beach sediments identified 14 heavy metals including five EPA priority pollutants (Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Pb) sorbed onto PE and PP microplastics, demonstrating microplastics serve as carriers for toxic metals in coastal marine environments.
Quantification of Microplastics in North-Western Mediterranean Harbors: Seasonality and Biofilm-Related Metallic Contaminants
Scientists measured microplastic concentrations in three Mediterranean harbors across seasons, finding higher levels in summer (coinciding with peak boating activity) and detecting heavy metals associated with plastic biofilms. Harbors are identified as significant hotspots for microplastic pollution that spreads into surrounding coastal waters.
Types, occurrence, and distribution of microplastics and metals contamination in sediments from south west of Kerkennah archipelago, Tunisia
Microplastics and heavy metals were found co-occurring in marine sediments of the Kerkennah archipelago in Tunisia. This co-contamination is a concern because microplastic surfaces can adsorb and concentrate toxic metals, potentially amplifying their environmental and ecological harm.
Nutrient Decline and Metal Pollution Since the Second Industrial Revolution: The Red Sea
Researchers reconstructed 500 years of elemental changes in Red Sea sediment cores and found significant shifts in nutrient and metal accumulation rates following the Second Industrial Revolution and the opening of the Suez Canal, reflecting growing human impacts on a biodiversity hotspot.
Characterization of petroleum-based plastics and their absorbed trace metals from the sediments of the Marina Beach in Chennai, India
This study characterized petroleum-based plastic debris on Marina Beach in Chennai, India, and measured the heavy metal concentrations (arsenic, chromium, copper, lead) adsorbed onto the plastics. Plastic debris on beaches accumulates toxic metals from seawater over time, and the combination of plastic particles and heavy metals could pose compounded risks to wildlife and humans in contact with contaminated shorelines.
Study of Heavy Metals and Microbial Communities in Contaminated Sediments Along an Urban Estuary
Researchers studied heavy metal contamination and microbial community composition in estuarine sediments along an urban waterway, finding that urbanization-driven metal accumulation significantly altered microbial diversity and community structure.
Characterization of plastic debris and association of metals with microplastics in coastline sediment along the Persian Gulf
Microplastics and sediment samples from Persian Gulf coastlines were found to contain elevated concentrations of heavy metals including lead, cadmium, and mercury, with metals associated with both the plastic surfaces and the surrounding sediment. The study demonstrates that microplastics in this industrialized coastal region accumulate hazardous metals that can be transferred to marine organisms.
Spatial distribution and consequences of contaminants in harbour sediments – A case study from Richards Bay Harbour, South Africa
Surface sediments from Richards Bay Harbour in South Africa were analyzed for microplastics, metals, and microfaunal assemblages, finding that microplastics concentrated near recreational areas while heavy metals were elevated near bulk goods terminals, with sediment core analysis documenting historical metal contamination and bioindicator stress at contaminated sites.
Contamination, Toxicity and Ecological Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Surface Sediments of Coastal Areas of Bushehr Province: A Systematic Review Study
This systematic review of studies from 2012-2020 found that coastal surface sediments in Bushehr Province, Iran, contain heavy metals at levels posing moderate to high ecological risk, with nickel, chromium, and cadmium identified as the primary contaminants from petrochemical and industrial sources. The pollution levels exceeded safe thresholds in several coastal areas. Coastal sediment contamination with heavy metals often co-occurs with microplastic pollution, and microplastics can adsorb and concentrate these toxic metals, potentially increasing their bioavailability to marine organisms.
Metals' Adsorption Onto Environmental Microplastics at Shoreline Sediments
Metal adsorption onto microplastics collected from shoreline environments was measured, revealing that weathered plastic particles accumulate heavy metals like lead, copper, and zinc. The results confirm that shoreline microplastics act as metal-enriched vectors that could pose risks to organisms ingesting them.
Spatial and temporal variability of Cadmium and Lead in Urban Soils of Thessaloniki (northern Greece).
This study monitored cadmium and lead contamination in urban soils of Thessaloniki, Greece over two years, finding variable heavy metal levels linked to traffic and industrial activity. Heavy metals and microplastics frequently co-occur in urban environments and can interact to increase combined toxicity.
Investigation of the process of adsorption of heavy metals in coastal sands containing micro-plastics, with special attention to the effect of aging process and bacterial spread in micro-plastics
Researchers investigated how aging and bacterial culture affect the adsorption of heavy metals (lead, cadmium, copper, zinc, chromium, and nickel) in coastal sands containing microplastics. UV aging for 14 days increased metal adsorption capacity by up to 60%, and simultaneous bacterial culture with aging further increased adsorption power by up to 80% for all studied metals.
Metal(oid)s in plastic debris, with distinct features, from Spanish Mediterranean beaches with different anthropogenic pressure: Are these particles potential monitors for metal pollution?
Researchers measured heavy metals absorbed into plastic debris collected from four Spanish Mediterranean beaches and found that degraded, dark-coloured plastics — especially polyurethane and polystyrene — concentrated the highest levels of metals like iron, lead, and zinc. Because heavily weathered plastics absorb more contaminants from polluted seawater, the study suggests that beach plastic debris could serve as a useful indicator of local metal pollution levels, with implications for seafood safety in areas near mining activity.
Correlation of metals and degraded marine (micro)plastic litter in geologically similar coastal areas with different anthropogenic characteristics
Researchers assessed trace metal concentrations adsorbed on degraded marine microplastics collected from two Croatian Adriatic coastal sites -- an estuarine and an open coastal location -- finding that polystyrene adsorbed the highest metal loads in the order Zn > Pb approximately equal to Cu > Cd, with the more anthropogenically influenced estuary showing overall higher metal contamination on plastic debris.
An insight into the ecological risks and mitigation of heavy metal pollution in aquatic sediments and marine ecosystems
This review examines heavy metal pollution in aquatic sediments and marine ecosystems, covering contamination sources, ecological risks, and mitigation strategies. The study highlights the deterioration of aquatic zones due to rising pollution from urbanization and industrialization, and discusses how pollutants including microplastics interact with heavy metals to affect biogeochemical cycling and the food chain.