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Papers
20 resultsShowing papers similar to Distribution and characterization of microplastics in the coastal areas of the Mediterranean Sea
ClearAn evaluation of surface micro- and mesoplastic pollution in pelagic ecosystems of the Western Mediterranean Sea
Researchers found that micro- and mesoplastic debris were widely and uniformly distributed across the Western Mediterranean Sea, with average surface concentrations of approximately 130,000 microplastic particles per km2 and 5,700 mesoplastic particles per km2. Fragment morphology and polymer composition analysis indicated a predominantly land-based origin for the debris.
Microplastics spatiotemporal distribution and variability in marine habitats along the North-Western Mediterranean coastal waters.
Researchers mapped microplastic distribution across multiple marine habitat types along the Mediterranean coast, examining spatial and temporal variability from the water surface to the sediment. The study revealed that microplastic abundance and composition differ substantially by habitat, underscoring the need for multi-compartment monitoring.
Microplastics in the Mediterranean Sea: Deposition in coastal shallow sediments, spatial variation and preferential grain size
Researchers sampled Mediterranean coastal shallow sediments and found microplastics throughout, with concentrations and polymer types reflecting land-based inputs and showing that coastal sediments are a significant regional reservoir for plastic debris.
Microplastics spatiotemporal distribution and variability in marine habitats along the North-Western Mediterranean coastal waters.
Researchers assessed microplastic spatiotemporal distribution across multiple Mediterranean marine habitat types including water surface, sediment, and biota, revealing significant variability by location and season. The multi-compartment approach showed that no single habitat type captures the full extent of microplastic contamination.
Microbial Communities on Plastic Polymers in the Mediterranean Sea
Researchers collected floating microplastics from a bay in the Mediterranean and analyzed their bacterial biofilm communities using 16S rRNA sequencing, finding that microbial communities on plastics were distinct from surrounding seawater and differed between polymer types.
Evaluation of the potential interaction between microplastic distribution and biodiversity richness along the coast of the Western Ionian Sea
Researchers surveyed microplastic distribution in Western Ionian Sea coastal waters alongside visual counts of marine biodiversity. Areas with higher microplastic concentrations showed associations with reduced species richness, providing early evidence that microplastic pollution may be linked to biodiversity loss in Mediterranean coastal ecosystems.
Microplastics in the Mediterranean: Variability From Observations and Model Analysis
Researchers combined field sampling across four Mediterranean coastal areas with hydrodynamic and particle drift modeling to characterize microplastic abundance, size, and polymer type variability, finding that wastewater and river inputs drive spatial patterns of surface MP distribution.
Chemical composition of microplastics floating on the surface of the Mediterranean Sea
Chemical composition analysis of microplastics floating on the Mediterranean Sea surface showed a relatively homogeneous polymer distribution dominated by polyethylene and polypropylene, with particle size influencing mass and number concentration distributions.
Community composition and seasonal dynamics of microplastic biota in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea
Scientists studied the microbial communities living on microplastics in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea across all four seasons over two years. They found that microplastics host a distinct and relatively stable community of bacteria and other organisms that differs from the surrounding seawater. This "plastisphere" ecosystem could serve as a vehicle for transporting potentially harmful microorganisms across ocean environments.
Microplastics pollution along the Lebanese coast (Eastern Mediterranean Basin): Occurrence in surface water, sediments and biota samples
Microplastics were detected in surface water, sediments, and biota along the Lebanese coastline of the eastern Mediterranean, with concentrations reflecting local pollution pressures and sea current patterns. The study provides baseline data for a heavily urbanized and heavily impacted stretch of Mediterranean coast, confirming widespread microplastic contamination throughout the region.
Community Composition and Seasonal Dynamics of Microplastic Biota in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea
Researchers described the seasonal dynamics and community composition of microplastic-associated microbial communities across different environments, finding that temperature and nutrient availability influenced plastisphere diversity. The study contributes to understanding how environmental conditions shape biofilm formation on plastic debris.
Evolution of the Distribution and Dynamic of Microplastic in Water and Biota: A Study Case From the Gulf of Gabes (Southern Mediterranean Sea)
Researchers found microplastics in all surface water samples and in the digestive tracts of multiple commercially important marine species in the Gulf of Gabes, Southern Mediterranean, revealing widespread contamination in a previously understudied region.
Microplastics levels, size, morphology and composition in marine water, sediments and sand beaches. Case study of Tarragona coast (western Mediterranean)
Researchers measured microplastic levels, sizes, shapes, and polymer types in coastal water, sediment, and beach sand along the Tarragona coast of the western Mediterranean, finding widespread contamination associated with nearby industrial facilities and a major petrochemical complex.
How much do we know about the microplastic distribution in the Mediterranean Sea: A comprehensive review
This comprehensive review analyzed 284 studies on microplastic pollution across the Mediterranean and Black Seas from 2012 to 2023. Researchers found that microplastic contamination is widespread across surface water, sediment, and marine organisms, with fibers and polyethylene being the most common types. The review highlights important gaps in standardized sampling methods and calls for more consistent monitoring approaches to better understand the scope of Mediterranean microplastic pollution.
Identification and quantification of microplastics in surface water of a southwestern Mediterranean Bay (Al Hoceima, Morocco)
Researchers sampled surface water in a Mediterranean bay in Morocco over three years and found microplastics at concentrations up to 15 particles per cubic meter, with polyethylene being the most common polymer — providing the first baseline data on microplastic pollution along Morocco's Mediterranean coastline.
The Mediterranean Plastic Soup: synthetic polymers in Mediterranean surface waters
Researchers collected surface water samples from across the Mediterranean Sea and identified the types and abundance of floating plastic polymers, finding that this semi-enclosed sea has accumulated substantial plastic debris.
Microplastics In The Marine Environment, Presence In Water And Interaction With Marine Organisms.
Researchers quantified and characterized microplastics in water and biota samples from the Gulf of Gabes, Mediterranean Sea, finding an average abundance of 1.16 items/m3 in surface water — higher than most other Mediterranean regions — with fragments and polyethylene dominating in water samples, as part of the EU-funded CLAIM project on marine litter.
Investigating Microplastics in the Mediterranean Coastal Areas – Case Study of Al-Hoceima Bay, Morocco
Researchers investigated microplastic presence and distribution in the semi-enclosed Al-Hoceima Bay, Morocco, characterizing contamination patterns in Mediterranean coastal waters affected by anthropogenic activities along the coastline.
First full investigation of levels of microplastics on sandy beaches in Malta
This study conducted the first comprehensive survey of microplastic levels on sandy beaches in Malta, finding microplastics at all five sampled beaches including in protected coastal areas. The results establish baseline contamination levels for the central Mediterranean and document seasonal and spatial variability.
Microplastic distribution in surface sediments along the Spanish Mediterranean continental shelf
Researchers found microplastic contamination in coastal sediments along the Spanish Mediterranean continental shelf between Algeciras and Barcelona, with densities ranging from below detection limits to 1,380 particles per kilogram dry weight, predominantly fibers and fragments.