Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Microplastics in sandy beaches of Thermaikos Gulf: quantification and spatial distribution

Researchers quantified microplastic pollution along eight locations in the Thermaikos Gulf coast, finding the highest concentrations in tourist-heavy areas, with fibers more prevalent near fishing activity and the midlittoral zone showing the greatest accumulation due to hydrodynamic deposition patterns.

2025 Global NEST International Conference on Environmental Science & Technology
Article Tier 2

Assessment of microplastics distribution and stratification in the shallow marine sediments of Samos island, Eastern Mediterranean sea, Greece

Researchers surveyed microplastic distribution in shallow marine sediments around Samos Island, Greece, finding the highest concentrations on beaches and lower levels in deeper offshore sediments. The study suggests that beaches act as accumulation zones for microplastic pollution carried from land.

2019 Mediterranean Marine Science 29 citations
Article Tier 2

Macro- and microplastic abundance from recreational beaches along the South Aegean Sea (Türkiye)

Researchers surveyed macro- and microplastic abundance in sand from eight recreational beaches along the South Aegean coast of Turkey, finding that fiber-shaped microplastics dominated at all sites and concentrations varied seasonally.

2023 Marine Pollution Bulletin 16 citations
Article Tier 2

Quantification and characterization of microplastics in the Thermaic Gulf, in the North Aegean Sea

Researchers collected and analyzed microplastics from seawater, beach sediments, and seven commercial fish species in the Thermaic Gulf of the North Aegean Sea in Greece. They recorded over 28,000 microplastic particles across all environmental samples, classifying them by size, shape, color, and polymer type. The study adds to the growing evidence that the Mediterranean Sea is heavily affected by microplastic pollution across multiple environmental compartments.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 22 citations
Article Tier 2

Characteristics of microplastics on two beaches affected by different land uses in Salamina Island in Saronikos Gulf, east Mediterranean

Researchers compared microplastic pollution on two beaches of Salamina Island, Greece, and found differences tied to land use — one beach near industrial areas had more polyethylene fragments, while the other had more diverse plastic types. The study demonstrates how local human activities shape the types and amounts of microplastics found on nearby beaches.

2019 Marine Pollution Bulletin 27 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2025 Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Beached microplastics in the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea

Researchers investigated microplastic occurrence on two beaches in the Northwestern Mediterranean Gulf of Lion, finding significant concentrations of fragments and pellets in beach sediments with notable variation between beach zones and sampling periods over a one-month interval.

2019 Marine Pollution Bulletin 122 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2016 Marine Environmental Research 617 citations
Article Tier 2

Presence, Spatial Distribution, and Characteristics of Microplastics in Beach Sediments Along the Northwestern Moroccan Mediterranean Coast

Researchers surveyed fourteen beaches along the northwestern Moroccan Mediterranean coast and found microplastics in every sediment sample, averaging about 59 particles per kilogram of dry sand. Fibers were the dominant shape at nearly 78%, with tourism, fishing, and wastewater discharges identified as the most likely pollution sources. The findings indicate moderate but widespread microplastic contamination along this coastline.

2025 Water 8 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2021 Marine Pollution Bulletin 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Abundance and distribution of microplastics on sandy beaches of the eastern Moroccan Mediterranean coast

Researchers surveyed 19 sandy beaches along the eastern Moroccan Mediterranean coast and found microplastic concentrations ranging from 40 to 230 particles per kilogram of sand. Fibers were the most common shape, making up about 75 percent of all particles found, with polyethylene, polystyrene, and polypropylene as the dominant polymer types. The findings indicate a moderate level of microplastic contamination along this stretch of coastline.

2024 Marine Pollution Bulletin 20 citations
Article Tier 2

Exploring the microplastic pollution: Unveiling origins and varieties in coastal sediments and waters of the Bushehr Province, Persian Gulf, Iran

Researchers conducted a comprehensive survey of microplastic pollution in coastal sediments and waters along the Persian Gulf in Iran. They found microplastics at all sampling sites, with the highest concentrations near petrochemical facilities and urban centers, and fibers being the most common type. The study establishes baseline pollution data for the region and links contamination levels to specific human activities.

2023 Marine Pollution Bulletin 27 citations
Article Tier 2

The occurrence of microplastic contamination in littoral sediments of the Persian Gulf, Iran

Researchers surveyed littoral sediments of the Persian Gulf for microplastics, finding plastic particles across all sampling sites with a variety of polymer types. The study provides early baseline contamination data for a region with major petrochemical and industrial activity.

2017 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 202 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 123 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2017 OAR@UM (University of Malta) 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in the Greek seas

This research investigated the distribution patterns of floating microplastics (300 µm - 5 mm) in Greek seas, finding high variability in concentrations (0.012 to 1.62 items/m2) with maximum concentrations associated with surface slicks rather than predicted hotspot locations near pollution sources. The study also examined microplastic morphological characteristics, with fragments being the dominant form found across the sampled areas.

2024
Article Tier 2

Micro- and mesoplastics in Northeast Levantine coast of Turkey: The preliminary results from surface samples

Researchers conducted the first microplastic survey of the northeastern Levantine coast of Turkey in Iskenderun and Mersin Bays, measuring an average of 0.376 items/m² at the sea surface, with the highest concentrations near a river mouth, at levels comparable to other Mediterranean regions.

2017 Marine Pollution Bulletin 141 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution at the intersection of the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas: A study of the Datça Peninsula (Turkey)

Researchers conducted the first microplastic pollution survey along the Datca Peninsula on the southern Aegean coast of Turkey, finding contamination in sandy beach sediments at the intersection of the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas.

2019 Marine Pollution Bulletin 78 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2023 Marine Pollution Bulletin 61 citations
Article Tier 2

First assessment of microplastics in offshore sediments along the Lebanese coast, South-Eastern Mediterranean

Researchers conducted the first assessment of microplastic contamination in offshore sediments along the Lebanese coast in the southeastern Mediterranean Sea, characterizing particle abundance, morphology, size distribution, and polymer types. The study found measurable microplastic concentrations in all sampled sediment sites, contributing baseline data to fill a geographic gap in Mediterranean microplastic research.

2022 Marine Pollution Bulletin 14 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessment of microplastic pollution in the Gulf of Suez: Abundance and polymeric composition in beach sediments

This study assessed microplastic abundance and polymer composition in sediments along the Gulf of Suez shores, identifying 268 microplastic particles with an average of 204.3 particles per kilogram of dry sediment, reflecting contamination from the region's intense shipping and industrial activities.

2023 Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries 16 citations
Article Tier 2

The broad-scale microplastic distribution in surface water and sediments along Northeastern Mediterranean shoreline

Researchers surveyed microplastic distribution in surface water and sediments along 47 stations of the Turkish northeastern Mediterranean coast, finding widespread contamination with fibers and fragments detected via Nile Red staining, and identifying hotspots linked to coastal urbanization and river inputs.

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

Spatial distribution of microplastics in Persian Gulf marine environments

A spatial survey of microplastics in Persian Gulf marine sediments found widespread contamination, with concentrations varying by location and depth. The study adds to evidence that the Gulf's semi-enclosed, heavily trafficked waters are a significant repository for microplastic pollution.

2025 Scientific Reports 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Surface Sediments along the Montenegrin Coast, Adriatic Sea: Types, Occurrence, and Distribution

This is the first study to document microplastics in surface sediments along the coast of Montenegro in the Adriatic Sea. Fibers and fragments were the dominant types found, highlighting that microplastic contamination has reached this less-studied part of the Mediterranean.

2021 Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 22 citations