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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to The sink is leaking! – Enabling citizen science for global mapping of microplastic leakage from coastal soils
ClearThe sink is leaking! – Enabling citizen science for global mapping of microplastic leakage from coastal soils
Researchers designed a citizen science methodology to enable global mapping of microplastic leakage from coastal soils, providing standardized tools for volunteers to sample and quantify how coastal soil microplastic sinks release particles to marine environments through abiotic and biotic decomposition of macroplastics.
Using citizen science to understand floating plastic debris distribution and abundance: A case study from the North Cornish coast (United Kingdom).
This citizen science study used a standardized methodology to monitor floating plastic debris off the Cornish coast of the UK, finding microplastic concentrations comparable to or higher than other European coastal regions. The study demonstrates that citizen science can generate useful, standardized data on plastic pollution in coastal waters.
The potential contribution of citizen science data in the study of coastal microplastic and mesoplastic distributions
Researchers analyzed citizen science data from the Big Microplastic Survey to assess the potential contribution of volunteer-collected observations to understanding coastal microplastic and mesoplastic distribution patterns, evaluating data quality and spatial coverage relative to conventional scientific monitoring.
The sampling and analysis of coastal microplastic and mesoplastic: Development of a citizen science approach
This study designed, developed, and tested a citizen science approach to microplastic and mesoplastic data collection on coastal beaches to address scale and coverage limitations of traditional research methods. Results showed non-expert participants could collect comparable data to researchers, expanding monitoring capacity across undersampled coastlines.
Determining global distribution of microplastics by combining citizen science and in-depth case studies
This study combined citizen science sampling data with in-depth field studies to build a better global picture of microplastic distribution. The approach shows how large-scale volunteer monitoring can extend spatial coverage far beyond what professional researchers can achieve alone.
Increasing our understanding of coastal microplastics and mesoplastics: a comparison of sampling methodologies using volunteer researchers
Researchers compared three different methods for sampling coastal microplastic and mesoplastic pollution using trained volunteers at three locations in southern England. They found that one citizen science method, the Big Microplastic Survey, consistently detected more plastic pollution and fewer zero counts than the other approaches. The study underscores the challenge of standardizing sampling methods and the importance of enabling meaningful comparisons across global monitoring efforts.
Microplastic detectives: a citizen-science project reveals large variation in meso- and microplastic pollution along German coastlines
A citizen science project recruited volunteers to sample meso- and microplastics along German Baltic and North Sea coastlines, achieving spatial coverage far beyond what scientific teams alone could accomplish. Large variation in plastic pollution was found across sites, with some areas showing unexpectedly high concentrations linked to local sources and ocean circulation patterns.
Citizen Science for Assessment of Microplastics on Beaches: A Case Study in Mexico
Researchers used a citizen science approach involving 26 volunteers to assess microplastic abundance and type on Mexican beaches, providing broad geographic coverage at lower cost than traditional monitoring. Participants used standardized materials and training to collect and identify microplastics, generating a representative database that also raised public awareness of coastal plastic pollution.
Approaches to understanding and monitoring sources, distribution, and fate of plastic waste generated on the Peruvian coast
Researchers established monitoring approaches for plastic waste sources, distribution, and fate along the Peruvian coast through the REMARCO Regional Citizen Science Programme, quantifying inputs from Lima and Callao, mapping pollution pathways from sources to marine environments, and building national capacity for microplastic monitoring in sandy beaches.
Citizen Science for Monitoring Plastic Pollution from Source to Sea: A Systematic Review of Methodologies, Best Practices, and Challenges
This systematic review examines how citizen science programs track plastic pollution from land to sea. The research found that while public participation greatly expands data collection, inconsistent methods and data quality issues limit the scientific usefulness of the results. Better-designed citizen science programs could help communities monitor and respond to the microplastic pollution in their local environments.
Accuracy of a Simple Microplastics Investigation Method on Sandy Beaches
This study tested a simplified citizen science method for monitoring microplastic pollution on sandy beaches, evaluating its accuracy compared to standard research methods. Reliable citizen science approaches could dramatically expand the geographic coverage of microplastic monitoring beyond what professional researchers alone can achieve.
Paddle surfing for science on microplastic pollution: a successful citizen science initiative
Researchers used paddle surfers as citizen scientists to collect microplastic samples from near-shore coastal waters in the Mediterranean Sea, filling a gap in data from areas close to the coastline. The study demonstrates how citizen science can expand microplastic monitoring to locations that are difficult to access with conventional research vessels.
Floating microplastic loads in the nearshore revealed through citizen science
Researchers used citizen science manta trawl deployments across 124 transects in the NW Mediterranean to characterize floating microplastic loads in nearshore coastal waters, finding substantial plastic pollution concentrated close to shore where emissions are highest.
Measuring plastic pellet (nurdle) abundance on shorelines throughout the Gulf of Mexico using citizen scientists: Establishing a platform for policy-relevant research
Researchers used a citizen science program called 'Nurdle Patrol' to monitor plastic pellet (nurdle) abundance on shorelines throughout the Gulf of Mexico, finding pellets on beaches across multiple states and identifying industrial plastic handling facilities as likely point sources. The study demonstrates how citizen science can generate large-scale spatial data on a specific and trackable form of microplastic pollution.
A nationwide assessment of plastic pollution in the Danish realm using citizen science
Researchers conducted a nationwide citizen science assessment of plastic pollution across Denmark, Greenland, and the Faeroe Islands, with approximately 57,000 school students collecting 374,082 plastic items across eight nature types in 94 of 98 Danish municipalities. The study demonstrated that student-led citizen science can fill important knowledge gaps in land-based plastic litter monitoring beyond beach surveys.
Marine Litter Tracking System: A Case Study with Open-Source Technology and a Citizen Science-Based Approach
Researchers deployed GPS-tracked drifter devices in the Arno River using open-source hardware and citizen science approaches to track how plastic litter moves through river systems toward the ocean, providing empirical data on plastic transport dynamics that can improve models of river-to-ocean plastic flux.
Microplastic distribution and composition on two Galápagos island beaches, Ecuador: Verifying the use of citizen science derived data in long-term monitoring
Researchers validated a citizen science methodology for monitoring visible microplastic contamination on Galapagos island beaches using standardized quadrat sampling, comparing citizen-generated data with expert surveys over multiple years. The approach was found to produce reliable data for long-term monitoring while reducing costs, supporting its use in logistically challenging remote locations.
Can we investigate microplastic pollution with school students? Experiences from eight years of citizen science research
Researchers reported on eight years of citizen science microplastic research conducted with school students through the Plastic Pirates program, sharing methodological experiences and lessons learned from involving more than 24,000 participants across Germany and other European countries in rigorous environmental monitoring.
Citizen science reveals microplastic hotspots within tidal estuaries and the remote Scilly Islands, United Kingdom
This citizen science project mapped microplastic hotspots in tidal estuaries and remote island environments in the UK, finding elevated concentrations near population centers and in accumulation zones. Citizen science significantly increased geographical coverage and revealed that microplastic distribution is highly patchy, with hotspots shaped by local currents and human activity.
Microplastic Pollution Projects and Participatory Science
This paper discusses citizen science and participatory science projects for monitoring microplastic pollution, reviewing methodological approaches, data quality considerations, and the potential for large-scale pollution mapping through public engagement.
Plastic particles in soil: state of the knowledge on sources, occurrence and distribution, analytical methods and ecological impacts
This comprehensive review of plastic particles in soil covered sources, occurrence, analytical detection methods, and ecological impacts, identifying gaps in knowledge about terrestrial plastic fate and effects compared to the more extensively studied marine environment.
Citizen science in studying the microplastic pollution of the Russian Arctic
Researchers conducted a long-term citizen science study (2020-2022) on microplastic pollution across Russian Arctic seas, presenting methodological approaches for sample collection and laboratory isolation of microplastic particles from environmental samples. The study demonstrated the effectiveness of collaboration between public organisations and scientific institutes, and identified the role of the North Cape Current in transporting microplastics from the North Atlantic into the Russian Barents Sea.
Water infiltration capacity in soil polluted with macroplastics
Researchers investigated how macroplastic litter buried in organic-rich coastal soils in central Norway affects water infiltration and percolation rates, conducting field measurements on outer coastal islands where converging ocean currents deposit large plastic loads, to quantify the hydrological impacts of macroplastic soil contamination.