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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Why sampling season and location matter for monitoring micro and mesoplastics on the beach
ClearWhy sampling season and location matter for monitoring micro and mesoplastics on the beach
Researchers analyzed microplastic pollution across 11 marine beaches in Latvia over four seasons from autumn 2022 to summer 2023, demonstrating how sampling season and location significantly influence measured pollution levels in the Baltic Sea region due to seasonal weather patterns and local hydrodynamics.
Micro- and Mesoplastic Monitoring on Beaches: Understanding Seasonal and Spatial Distribution Patterns
Researchers monitored microplastic abundance and composition across 11 Latvian Baltic Sea beaches over four seasons from autumn 2022 to summer 2023, finding that seasonal climate patterns and proximity to the Gulf of Riga influence both microplastic load and spatial distribution along the northeastern European coastline.
Microplastics in river estuaries – assessing seasonality and importance of sample replicas
Researchers evaluated seasonal variability in microplastic concentrations across four major Latvian river estuaries flowing into the Gulf of Riga using Manta net trawling across four seasons, finding spring and summer concentrations up to ten times higher than autumn and winter levels and demonstrating that multiple sample replicas substantially improve data reliability.
Microplastics in river estuaries – assessing seasonality and importance of sample replicas
Researchers evaluated seasonal variability in microplastic concentrations across four major Latvian river estuaries flowing into the Gulf of Riga using Manta net trawling across four seasons, finding spring and summer concentrations up to ten times higher than autumn and winter levels and demonstrating that multiple sample replicas substantially improve data reliability.
Quantifying microplastic pollution on sandy beaches: the conundrum of large sample variability and spatial heterogeneity
This methodological study tested different sampling approaches for measuring microplastic pellets on sandy beaches and found that concentrations vary greatly over small spatial distances, making single samples unreliable. The authors recommend specific multi-sample strategies to get accurate estimates of beach microplastic contamination.
Small-scale temporal and spatial variability in the abundance of plastic pellets on sandy beaches: Methodological considerations for estimating the input of microplastics
A beach survey found high small-scale variability in plastic pellet abundance across the intertidal zone, driven by tidal cycles, wind, and sampling method. These findings have important methodological implications — researchers need standardized sampling designs to generate reliable estimates of microplastic contamination on beaches.
Effects of spatial and seasonal factors on the characteristics and carbonyl index of (micro)plastics in a sandy beach in Aveiro, Portugal
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination on a Portuguese sandy beach across wet and dry seasons, finding that surface concentrations were dominated by polyethylene pellets in the wet season (3-6 items/m) and that density separation revealed fibers at 23 times higher concentrations. Seasonal and spatial factors significantly influenced particle type, size, and carbonyl index, highlighting how sampling method choice affects pollution estimates.
Spatial and temporal variability of microplastic abundance in estuarine intertidal sediments: Implications for sampling frequency
Researchers conducted repeated sampling of microplastics in estuarine intertidal sediments over time to characterize spatial and temporal variability. The study found high natural variability in microplastic abundance at small scales, suggesting single sampling events are insufficient for accurate contamination assessments.
Microplastic concentrations in beach sediments along the German Baltic coast
Researchers measured microplastic contamination on beaches along the German Baltic coast near river estuaries and tracked seasonal variation over several months, finding contamination at all sites. The study highlights that river mouths are hotspots for microplastic deposition on coastal beaches.
Changes in (micro and macro) plastic pollution in the sediment of three sandy beaches in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, in relation to seasonality, beach use and granulometry
Researchers measured plastic and microplastic pollution in sediment from three Mediterranean beaches across seasons, finding that smaller microplastics accumulate at the backshore while larger items concentrate near the waterline. Seasonal patterns and beach use intensity affected plastic abundance, with implications for beach management and cleanup strategies.
Seasonal variations in microplastic distribution on Macau’s windward and leeward beaches: weak spatial autocorrelation
A seasonal study of beaches in Macau found that microplastic abundance varied between windward and leeward shores and changed across seasons, with wind direction and precipitation identified as key factors controlling where MPs accumulate and in what quantities.
Spatiotemporal Variability of Microplastics in the Eastern Baltic Sea
Researchers documented spatiotemporal variability of microplastics in the eastern Baltic Sea over five years, finding concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 2.45 particles per cubic meter with patterns linked to proximity to urban areas and riverine inputs.
The baseline for micro- and mesoplastic pollution in open Baltic Sea and Gulf of Riga beach
Researchers established a baseline for microplastic and mesoplastic pollution along 24 beaches on the Latvian coastline of the Baltic Sea, using data collected with the help of up to 250 citizen science volunteers. They found that beaches on the open Baltic Sea contained more plastic particles than those in the semi-enclosed Gulf of Riga. The study analyzed wave patterns, currents, and tourism intensity as factors driving pollution distribution and highlights citizen science as a valuable tool for large-scale microplastic monitoring.
The seasonal cycle of micro and meso-plastics in surface waters in a coastal environment (Ría de Vigo, NW Spain)
Researchers tracked micro- and mesoplastics in a coastal bay in northwestern Spain over a full year, finding plastic pollution in all seasons. Concentration varied with weather and oceanographic conditions, highlighting the dynamic nature of coastal plastic contamination.
Factors influencing the spatial and temporal distribution of microplastics at the sea surface – A year-long monitoring case study from the urban Kiel Fjord, southwest Baltic Sea
Researchers conducted a year-long monthly survey of microplastic abundance at eight sites within and around Kiel Fjord in the Baltic Sea, finding an overall low and stable load of 0.04 particles per square meter compared to other urban coastal areas. No strong relationship was found between microplastic abundance and weather parameters, though unusually high counts consistently followed rainfall and snowmelt events linked to storm drain inputs.
The influence of depositional environment on the abundance of microplastic pollution on beaches in the Bristol Channel, UK
Researchers assessed the extent and variability of microplastic pollution across multiple beaches in the Bristol Channel, UK, finding that depositional environment characteristics significantly influenced the abundance and distribution of microplastic contamination in beach sand.
Micro- and mesoplastic pollution along the beaches in the open Baltic Sea and Gulf of Riga
Researchers conducted a baseline assessment of micro- and mesoplastic pollution along 24 beaches of the Latvian Baltic coastline with 250 citizen science volunteers, finding lower MP concentrations in the semi-closed Gulf of Riga (0.10 particles/kg dry sand) than in the open Baltic Sea (0.16 particles/kg dry sand).
Spatial and Seasonal Abundance of Microplastics in Sand and Aqueous Matrices from Coastal Areas of Northern Greece
Researchers collected and analyzed microplastics from wastewater effluents, beach sand, and seawater in Northern Greece over one year to capture seasonal variation. MP abundance varied seasonally, with higher concentrations in summer months likely linked to increased tourism and beach activity.
Spatio-temporal variation and ecological risk assessment of microplastics along the touristic beaches of a mediterranean coast transect (Valencia province, East Spain)
Researchers sampled microplastics from seven tourist beaches along Spain's Valencia coast in both winter and summer and found contamination levels nearly five times higher during the summer tourism season. Fibers were the most common type of microplastic, and polyethylene and halogenated polystyrene from food packaging were the dominant polymers identified. The study raises questions about whether current beach cleaning practices are sufficient to address microplastic pollution.
Uncertainty and Consistency Assessment in Multiple Microplastic Observation Datasets in the Baltic Sea
Researchers compiled 27 datasets on surface marine microplastics in the Baltic Sea to quantify data uncertainties from spatiotemporal sampling error, volume estimation error, and varying mesh sizes and analysis methods. Results showed trawl datasets had spatiotemporal sampling errors of 25-56% depending on particle type, while analysis methodology — more than mesh size — was the primary driver of inter-dataset differences in microplastic concentration.
Natural sorting of microplastics in sands of the wave runup zone: why not to use it to ease environmental monitoring?
Researchers examined the natural sorting of microplastics in Baltic Sea beach wave runup zones across three monitoring surveys, finding low spatial and temporal variability in particles sized 0.5-2 mm. The study explored whether this natural size-sorting phenomenon could simplify environmental monitoring protocols, providing insights into reliable sampling strategies for coastal microplastic assessment.
Tracing the journey of microplastics in lake from surface water to accumulation in the sediments
Researchers conducted a comprehensive seasonal monitoring study of microplastics in an urban lake in Latvia, tracking distribution in surface water, measuring sediment deposition rates over one year, and analyzing dated sediment archives to determine which environmental compartment best represents long-term microplastic pollution trends. The study aimed to identify the most suitable monitoring matrix and establish standardized sampling protocols for freshwater microplastic research.
Spatio-temporal variability in the abundance and composition of beach litter and microplastics along the Baltic Sea coast of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
Beach litter and microplastics (20-5000 microns) were co-assessed along the Baltic Sea coast of Schleswig-Holstein in spring and autumn 2018, finding no correlation between macro and microplastic abundances, with a median of 2 microplastic particles per 500 g dry sediment and six polymer types identified.
The occurrence and sources of microplastics to Arctic and sub-Arctic beaches: human influence on local microplastic hotspots
Researchers characterized microplastic occurrence and sources at Arctic and sub-Arctic beaches, finding that proximity to human settlements creates local hotspots, while more remote beaches receive microplastics primarily through long-range oceanic transport.