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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Benthic foraminifera in Gulf of Mexico show temporal and spatial dynamics of microplastics
ClearMicroplastics in Sediment Cores from Asia and Africa as Indicators of Temporal Trends in Plastic Pollution
By extracting microplastics from dated sediment cores in Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, and South Africa, researchers reconstructed the historical increase in plastic pollution over decades. The study shows that microplastic accumulation in sediments tracks the global rise in plastic production, making sediment cores a useful record of pollution history.
Harmonized efforts for the assessment of microplastic contamination trends using 210Pb dated sediment cores from an urbanized coastal lagoon (NW Mexico)
Researchers analyzed microplastics in lead-210 dated sediment cores from a coastal lagoon in northwest Mexico to reconstruct historical pollution trends going back decades. Microplastic concentrations began rising in the 1970s and have increased exponentially in recent decades, closely tracking regional urbanization and plastic production growth.
Accelerating microplastic contamination in 210Pb dated sediment cores from an urbanized coastal lagoon (NW Mexico) since the 1990s
Using lead-210 dating of sediment cores, researchers tracked microplastic accumulation over the past century in a coastal lagoon in northwestern Mexico. They found that microplastic levels have increased dramatically since the 1990s, closely following the global rise in plastic production. This historical record shows that microplastic pollution in coastal waters used for fishing and recreation has been accelerating for decades.
Spatial distribution and historical trend of microplastic pollution in sediments from enclosed bays of South Korea
This study analyzed sediment cores from enclosed bays in South Korea to reconstruct the historical trend of microplastic pollution. Plastic levels increased sharply from the 1990s onward, mirroring the rise in global plastic production and providing a long-term record of contamination in coastal sediments.
Multidecadal increase in plastic particles in coastal ocean sediments
Analysis of dated sediment cores from the Santa Barbara Basin, California, showed a multi-decade increase in microplastic particle concentrations beginning around 1945 and accelerating in recent decades, mirroring the historical growth of plastic production. This sediment archive provides a clear record of how plastic pollution has progressively contaminated even relatively protected coastal marine environments.
A review of microplastic distribution in sediment profiles
A review of microplastic distribution in marine sediment cores found that between 70–90% of environmental MPs accumulate in sediment profiles and that dated sediment cores can reconstruct historical MP deposition trends, with one Kuwaiti Bay core showing a 5-fold increase from 1951 to 2009.
Can a Sediment Core Reveal the Plastic Age? Microplastic Preservation in a Coastal Sedimentary Record
Researchers used a sediment core from the NW Mediterranean Sea combined with state-of-the-art microplastic identification methods to reconstruct the historical record of microplastic pollution down to 11 micrometers in size. The core revealed a clear acceleration in microplastic burial rates since the 1960s and provided evidence that some polymer types are preserved well in sediment.
A temporal record of microplastic accumulation in sediment cores of the Great Lakes, North America, reflects macroeconomic and regional influences
Researchers analyzed sediment cores from Lake Huron and Lake Ontario spanning several decades to track historical trends in microplastic accumulation in the Great Lakes. They found that microplastic levels increased steadily from the 1960s through the late 1980s, mirroring global plastic production rates, with subsequent fluctuations reflecting economic shifts and regional factors. The study demonstrates that lake sediment records can serve as proxies for tracking both global and local changes in plastic pollution over time.
Temporal distribution of microplastics and other anthropogenic particles in four marine species from the Atlantic coast (France)
Researchers examined how microplastic and other anthropogenic particle abundances in lake sediments have changed over time using sediment cores, linking increases to historical industrialization and urbanization. The temporal record provides context for understanding how plastic pollution has accelerated in recent decades.
Characterizing the temporal trends in the concentration and composition of microplastics over the 20th century to present in the Chesapeake Bay region
Researchers analyzed sediment cores from intertidal wetlands and estuaries in the Chesapeake Bay region to reconstruct microplastic concentration and composition trends since the early 20th century, finding that abundance closely tracks historical plastic production rates with shifts in polymer composition reflecting changes in industrial use.
A baseline for microplastic particle occurrence and distribution in Great Bay Estuary
Researchers analyzed archived sediment cores from Great Bay Estuary in the Gulf of Maine and found microplastics distributed throughout sediments at an average of 116 particles per gram, with accumulation increasing over several decades before showing signs of a recent decrease.
A 75-year history of microplastic fragment accumulation rates in a semi-enclosed hypoxic basin
A sediment core from a semi-enclosed hypoxic basin revealed a 75-year record of increasing microplastic fragment accumulation rates, with the pace accelerating in line with global plastic production growth. The study also found that biological activity and ocean dynamics influenced microplastic sinking and deposition patterns.
Tracking the microplastic accumulation from past to present in the freshwater ecosystems: A case study in Susurluk Basin, Turkey
Researchers tracked the historical accumulation of microplastics in freshwater lake sediment cores, finding a steady increase in particle deposition corresponding to rising plastic production since the mid-20th century and demonstrating that sediment archives can reconstruct the timeline of freshwater microplastic pollution.
The Paleoecology of Microplastic Contamination
This paper reviews how paleoecological methods — using naturally accumulating environmental archives like sediment cores — can be applied to reconstruct the historical timeline of microplastic contamination. Long-term records are needed to establish baselines and understand how rapidly microplastic pollution has escalated over the past century.
Microplastics deposition in Arctic sediments of Greenland increases significantly after 1950
Analysis of a sediment core from Disko Bay, Greenland, spanning 85 years showed that microplastic deposition increased dramatically after 1950, directly tracking the global rise of plastic production, with concentrations ranging from about 1,000 to over 16,000 particles per kilogram at different depths. The record demonstrates that even remote Arctic seafloors have become a long-term sink for global plastic pollution, and that sediment cores can serve as historical archives of the plastic era.
Decadal changes in microplastic accumulation in freshwater sediments: Evaluating influencing factors
Researchers analyzed decadal trends in microplastic accumulation using freshwater sediment cores, examining how land use, hydrological factors, and global plastic production influenced deposition over time. Microplastic concentrations increased consistently across cores, with local factors modulating the rate of accumulation at individual sites.
Abundant plankton-sized microplastic particles in shelf waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico
Researchers found abundant microplastic particles of plankton-like size in the waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico shelf, raising concerns about their potential to be ingested by zooplankton and higher trophic level species. The study highlights how semi-enclosed coastal seas can accumulate high concentrations of small plastic fragments.
Vertical distribution of microplastics in bay sediment reflecting effects of sedimentation dynamics and anthropogenic activities
Researchers studied the vertical distribution of microplastics in sediment cores from the semi-enclosed Jiaozhou Bay, China, finding six polymer types with distribution patterns reflecting historical changes in plastic production and local pollution sources. Sediment depth was found to correlate with the era of plastic contamination, providing a record of microplastic accumulation over time.
Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments: Insights into microplastic accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries
Researchers surveyed microplastic abundance in beach sediments across seven locations in Mobile Bay, a northern Gulf of Mexico estuary. The study found microplastics were ubiquitous at concentrations 66 to 253 times higher than reported for the open ocean, with polypropylene and polyethylene being the most common polymers, highlighting the extent of microplastic accumulation in estuarine environments.
Fifty-year pollution history of microplastics and influencing factors in offshore sediments: A case study of Ningbo, China
Researchers analyzed sediment cores from offshore Ningbo, China, to reconstruct a fifty-year pollution history of microplastics in the region. They found that microplastic abundance has gradually increased since the late 1960s, with polyamide, polyurethane, and PET being the most common polymer types. The study identified river sediment transport, typhoons, and human activities like plastic production and sewage discharge as key factors influencing microplastic distribution in offshore sediments.
Multidecadal records of microplastic accumulation in the coastal sediments of the East China Sea
Analysis of sediment cores from the East China Sea inner shelf using SEM-EDS and microplastic-derived carbon quantification showed that microplastic accumulation has increased over decades, accelerating since the 1980s in parallel with China's rapid industrial and population growth.
Microplastic Distribution at Different Sediment Depths in an Urban Estuary
Researchers sampled sediment cores from an urban estuary to map how microplastic particles are distributed at different depths over time. The study found that microplastic density varied with sediment depth, reflecting historical changes in plastic pollution and urban runoff.
Abundance and composition of microplastics in Tampico beach sediments, Tamaulipas State, southern Gulf of Mexico
Researchers analyzed beach sediments from Tampico, Mexico, on the Gulf of Mexico coast and found microplastics present in all samples. The most common types were fragments and fibers made of polyethylene and polypropylene, and concentrations ranged from 256 to 2,830 particles per 20 grams of sediment. The study adds to growing evidence that microplastic contamination is widespread along Gulf of Mexico coastlines.
Microplastic pollution in salt marsh and urban tributary sediment cores of the River Thames estuary, UK: Spatial and temporal accumulation trends
Researchers analyzed sediment cores from a salt marsh and urban tributary of the Raritan River estuary to reconstruct the historical record of microplastic deposition. Microplastic concentrations increased dramatically from the mid-20th century, corresponding with rises in plastic production.