Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Microplastic sequestration in saltmarsh sediments from Eastern Brazil

Researchers examined microplastic sequestration in saltmarsh sediments from Todos os Santos Bay in eastern Brazil, a bay subject to substantial industrial and urban inputs. Saltmarsh sediments accumulated high concentrations of microplastics, functioning as long-term sinks for plastic pollution in this coastal ecosystem.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Salt marshes as the final watershed fate for meso- and microplastic contamination: A case study from Southern Brazil

Researchers found that salt marshes act as significant sinks for meso- and microplastics transported through a watershed, with plastic particles accumulating in marsh sediments at densities reflecting upstream land use — highlighting salt marshes as both indicators of catchment-wide plastic pollution and potential long-term reservoirs.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 38 citations
Article Tier 2

Role of saltmarsh systems in estuarine trapping of microplastics

Researchers found that saltmarsh vegetation significantly enhances the trapping of microplastics in estuarine sediments compared to adjacent bare mudflats, suggesting that these coastal ecosystems act as important sinks for plastic pollution under tidal flow conditions.

2022 Scientific Reports 34 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

The Role of Estuarine Wetlands (Saltmarshes) in Sediment Microplastics Retention

Researchers compared microplastic levels in vegetated saltmarsh sediments versus bare sediments in a Portuguese estuary and found that saltmarsh vegetation traps significantly more plastic particles. Fibers were the most common type of microplastic found, followed by fragments. The study suggests that coastal wetlands act as natural filters for microplastic pollution, which has implications for both conservation and pollution management.

2023 Water 43 citations
Article Tier 2

Studying the Presence and Distribution of Microplastics in a Norfolk Salt Marsh

Researchers investigated the presence and distribution of microplastics in a Norfolk salt marsh, examining whether fundamental sedimentation processes and dense vegetation make salt marshes significant long-term sinks for microplastic accumulation in coastal environments.

2024
Article Tier 2

Revealing microplastic and anthropogenic microparticles contamination in tidal blue carbon ecosystems from eastern Brazil

Researchers compared microplastic accumulation in mangrove and salt marsh sediments in Todos os Santos Bay, Brazil, finding that salt marshes contained at least 38 percent more anthropogenic microparticles than mangroves. Fibers were the dominant particle type across both ecosystems, likely originating from synthetic textiles and fishing activities, highlighting the role of these coastal blue carbon ecosystems as sinks for microplastic pollution.

2026 Marine Pollution Bulletin
Article Tier 2

Species-specific plastic accumulation in the sediment and canopy of coastal vegetated habitats

A multi-habitat study of coastal vegetated areas in Portugal found that saltmarsh vegetation showed the strongest ability to trap macroplastics in sediment, while microplastics were distributed similarly across all habitat types. Subtidal habitats retained more microplastic fibers on their canopy than intertidal habitats, highlighting how plant structure and submersion depth influence plastic accumulation.

2020 The Science of The Total Environment 158 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic distribution characteristics and storage in a multi-species saltmarsh

This study examined how microplastics are distributed and stored in a multi-species saltmarsh ecosystem. Saltmarshes trapped significant quantities of plastic particles, acting as long-term sinks that expose the organisms living in these coastal habitats to ongoing plastic contamination.

2023
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

Microplastic Hotspots on a Tropical Estuarine-Bay System

Researchers mapped microplastic hotspots in the Santos Estuarine System in Brazil — the most populous estuary and largest seaport in the country — characterizing accumulation and export dynamics of microplastics in a high-traffic coastal environment.

2025
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 saltmarshes: developing extraction methods and examining past accumulation

This thesis developed extraction methods for detecting microplastics in saltmarsh sediments and examined how these particles accumulate over time in coastal habitats. Saltmarshes act as natural filters and carbon stores, making their contamination by microplastics a concern for both ecosystem function and long-term pollution tracking.

2019 Liverpool John Moores University
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)
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

Anthropogenic microparticles accumulation in small-bodied seagrass meadows: The case of tropical estuarine species in Brazil

Researchers assessed the accumulation of anthropogenic microparticles in small-bodied seagrass meadows in a tropical estuary in Brazil. The study found microparticles in 80% of samples, predominantly fibers, suggesting that seagrass meadows may act as traps for microplastic pollution in coastal environments, with implications for the organisms that depend on these habitats.

2024 Marine Pollution Bulletin 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics hotspots on a tropical estuarine-bay system

Researchers investigated microplastic hotspot accumulation and export dynamics within a tropical estuarine-bay system, finding that spatial patterns of MP concentration are linked to hydrodynamic processes and land-based inputs, with accumulation zones creating localised contamination risks associated with negative socio-environmental impacts.

2025 Ocean and Coastal Research
Article Tier 2

Seagrass beds acting as a trap of microplastics - Emerging hotspot in the coastal region?

Seagrass beds in coastal waters were found to trap and accumulate microplastics at higher concentrations than surrounding unvegetated sediments, acting as effective sinks for plastic particles due to their dense canopy structure. This positions seagrass meadows as emerging hotspots of microplastic contamination in coastal ecosystems.

2019 Environmental Pollution 215 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination, comparative retention efficiency, and ecological hazard in saltmarsh, mangrove, sandy, and muddy habitats along the northern Bay of Bengal coast

Researchers compared microplastic contamination across four types of coastal habitats along the Bay of Bengal, including saltmarshes, mangroves, mudflats, and sandflats. They found that saltmarshes and mangroves retained significantly more microplastics than open sandy or muddy areas, acting as natural sinks for plastic pollution. The study highlights that these ecologically important habitats bear a disproportionate burden of microplastic accumulation, which may affect the organisms that depend on them.

2025 Ocean & Coastal Management 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution and retention efficiency of micro- and mesoplastics and heavy metals in mangrove, saltmarsh and cordgrass habitats along a subtropical coast.

Researchers evaluated micro- and mesoplastic contamination and heavy metal retention in mangrove, invasive Kikuyu grass, and salt marsh coastal habitats. Mangroves showed the highest retention efficiency for both plastics and heavy metals, underscoring their critical role as pollution buffers in coastal ecosystems.

2025 Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)
Article Tier 2

Microplastics on Santos Beach: Sources of Pollution, Waste Characteristics and Possible Collection Solutions

Researchers characterized microplastics collected from three zones of Santos beach in Brazil, finding contamination dominated by fragments and films near sewage outfalls. The study highlights inadequate waste management as the primary driver of beach microplastic accumulation and assessed feasibility of mechanical collection interventions.

2025 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Fate and Effects of Macro- and Microplastics in Coastal Wetlands

Researchers compiled data from 112 studies to evaluate how macro- and microplastics accumulate in and affect coastal wetlands including mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrass beds. They found that plastic concentrations in wetland sediments and marine animals were roughly 200 times higher than in the water column, indicating these ecosystems act as major plastic sinks. The study warns that plastic accumulation can alter sediment properties, harm wildlife, and disrupt the carbon storage function of these critical habitats.

2022 Environmental Science & Technology 137 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