Papers

61,005 results
|
Article Tier 2

Microplastics pollution on Colombian Central Caribbean beaches

Researchers conducted a baseline survey of microplastic contamination on Colombia's Central Caribbean Coast beaches, documenting MP types, sizes, and polymer compositions for the first time in that region and finding primarily secondary microplastics from fragmented larger debris.

2021 Marine Pollution Bulletin 133 citations
Article Tier 2

Abundance, distribution, and characteristics of microplastics in coastal surface waters of the Colombian Caribbean and Pacific

This study documented microplastic abundance, distribution, and characteristics across Colombian Caribbean and Pacific coastal surface waters during the 2017 rainy season, finding concentrations up to 8.96 items per square meter and establishing the first national baseline for microplastic pollution in Colombian coastal waters.

2021 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 76 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessing microplastic pollution along the Caribbean coast of La Guajira, Colombia

Researchers conducted the first assessment of microplastic pollution along 125 km of the Caribbean coast of La Guajira, Colombia. They found microplastics at four of seven beaches sampled, with filaments from fishing activities predominating and polymers primarily consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, and polystyrene.

2025 Marine Pollution Bulletin 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in water and fish of commercial interest: Distribution and relation to ecology in the colombians caribbean region, south america

Researchers evaluated microplastic contamination in surface waters and the gastrointestinal tracts of commercially important and invasive fish species along the Colombian Caribbean coast and San Andrés Island, examining the relationship between microplastic distribution and species ecology and geography.

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

Microplastics in water and fish of commercial interest: Distribution and relation to ecology in the colombians caribbean region, south america

Researchers evaluated microplastic contamination in surface waters and the gastrointestinal tracts of two commercially important fish species and one invasive species along the Caribbean coast of Colombia's Atlantico department and San Andres Island, relating distribution patterns to the ecology and geographic range of each species.

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

Presence of microplastics: Impacts in a marine-coastal environment of the Colombian Caribbean

Researchers surveyed microplastic presence in a marine-coastal environment in Colombia, characterizing particle abundance, polymer types, and size distribution in water and sediment samples. Fibres dominated the samples, with polyester and nylon the most common polymers, pointing to synthetic textile washing as a key local source.

2024 Global Journal of Ecology
Article Tier 2

Widespread microplastic ingestion in Colombian Caribbean marine fish: Trophic influence, spatial-temporal trends, and polymer composition

Researchers examined three commercially important fish species from the Colombian Caribbean and found microplastics in over 82% of individuals across both continental and island waters. Fiber and fragment shapes were the most common types, with higher concentrations found in coastal areas and during the wet season. The findings suggest that microplastic ingestion is widespread among Caribbean fish, with potential implications for seafood consumers in the region.

2025 Marine Pollution Bulletin 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Plastic litter pollution along sandy beaches in the Caribbean and Pacific coast of Colombia

Researchers surveyed plastic litter pollution on 43 beaches along Colombia's Caribbean and Pacific coasts, documenting the types and quantities present and calling for locally adapted management strategies.

2020 Environmental Pollution 116 citations
Article Tier 2

INVEMAR produce scientific information with the implementation of REMARCO protocols for monitoring microplastics in Colombia

This study describes the implementation of REMARCO standardized protocols by INVEMAR to monitor microplastics along Colombia's Caribbean and Pacific coastlines, addressing a context where approximately 65% of plastic waste is disposed of in open dumps or natural water bodies, and generating baseline scientific data on microplastic accumulation in coastal and marine ecosystems.

2025
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in water, sediments and commercial fish species from Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta lagoon complex, Colombian Caribbean

Microplastics were detected in water, sediment, and fish from the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta lagoon in the Colombian Caribbean, with concentrations varying by matrix and site. The study represents an early baseline for plastic pollution monitoring in this ecologically important tropical lagoon ecosystem.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 76 citations
Article Tier 2

Los microplásticos, una amenaza desconocida para los ecosistemas marinos de Colombia: perspectivas y desafíos a enfrentar

This review examines microplastic contamination in Colombian marine ecosystems, highlighting the serious but poorly understood threat these particles pose to marine biota, ecosystem balance, and human health. The authors identify key research gaps and challenges specific to Colombia's coastal and oceanic environments.

2021 Gestión y Ambiente 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Invisible Footprints: Exploring Microplastic Pollution in the Colombian Caribbean Sea

Researchers documented microplastic contamination throughout the surface and mid-waters of the Colombian Caribbean, detecting plastic particles in every single water sample collected across 16 stations in two departments. Concentrations were higher near the coast and in areas with strong river influence, with fibers and fragments of PET and polypropylene most common, and several rare high-risk polymers also detected. As one of the first systematic studies of its kind in this region, the work establishes baseline data for a relatively understudied stretch of the Caribbean and identifies urban river inputs as a key contamination driver.

2026 Water
Article Tier 2

Environmental risks due to the presence of microplastics in coastal and marine environments of the Colombian Caribbean

This study assessed ecological risks from microplastics in coastal and marine environments of the Colombian Caribbean, noting that COVID-19 pandemic disposables such as masks and disinfectant containers exacerbated plastic inputs. The review identified distribution patterns and risk levels across different coastal zones.

2022 Marine Pollution Bulletin 19 citations
Article Tier 2

Plastic pollution in marine ecosystems: spatiotemporal assessment in beach sediments of protected coastal areas

Researchers conducted a spatiotemporal assessment of plastic pollution including microplastics in beach sediments across 13 beaches in marine protected areas in Colombia and the Canary Islands, Spain, evaluating plastic debris under varying environmental conditions in ecologically sensitive coastal zones.

2025
Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination in bivalves: First assessment in three coastal lagoons of the colombian caribbean, south america

Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in bivalves from three coastal lagoons, finding that filter-feeding species readily accumulate particles from surrounding water and sediment. The study characterized particle types and polymer compositions across different lagoon environments.

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

Differential Presence of Microplastics and Mesoplastics in Coral Reef and Mangrove Fishes in Isla Grande, Colombia

Researchers found that fish from mangrove ecosystems in the Colombian Caribbean contained higher levels of microplastics and mesoplastics than fish from coral reef environments, suggesting that habitat type significantly influences plastic ingestion rates in marine fish species.

2022 Microplastics 25 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination in bivalves: First assessment in three coastal lagoons of the colombian caribbean, south america

Researchers conducted the first assessment of microplastic contamination in bivalves from three coastal lagoons, examining filter-feeding mollusks that concentrate suspended particles from surrounding waters. Microplastics were detected in bivalve tissues across all sites, establishing baseline contamination levels in these coastal ecosystems.

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

Microplastic Occurrence in Relation to Sediment Granulometry Along the Central Caribbean Coast of Colombia

Scientists found tiny plastic pieces in beach sand along Colombia's coast, with amounts similar to polluted beaches worldwide. The type of sand affects how much plastic builds up - beaches with certain sand textures tend to collect more plastic pollution. This matters because microplastics can enter the food chain through sea life and potentially affect human health when we eat contaminated seafood.

2026
Article Tier 2

Microplastics of surface waters of Colombian Caribbean

Researchers collected and characterized microplastics from the surface waters of two Colombian Caribbean sectors influenced by major rivers, sampling across dry and rainy seasons and also analyzing the microbial communities living on the plastic surfaces. The study provides baseline pollution data for a region where microplastic research has been minimal, while the metagenomic analysis of plastisphere microbes adds ecological context. Understanding which microbes colonize plastic in tropical Caribbean waters is relevant to assessing whether those particles serve as vectors for harmful or antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

2026 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Methods to characterize Microplastics: Case study on freshwater fishes from a tropical lagoon in Colombia

Researchers examined microplastic prevalence, abundance, and physical and chemical characteristics in fish from Luruaco lagoon, Colombia, conducting four sampling events using trawl nets and analyzing gastrointestinal tracts of captured individuals to characterize microplastic ingestion across species.

2024
Article Tier 2

Prevalence of microplastic contamination in the digestive tract of fishes from mangrove ecosystem in Cispata, Colombian Caribbean

Scientists examined the digestive tracts of fish from mangrove ecosystems in Cispata, Colombian Caribbean, finding microplastics in multiple species and suggesting that mangrove habitats concentrate microplastic pollution in ways that expose fish inhabiting these nursery areas.

2020 Marine Pollution Bulletin 114 citations
Article Tier 2

Coastal populations and river discharges as sources of microplastic pollution of the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta, Colombian Caribbean

Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in surface waters of the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta coastal lagoon in Colombia and assessed the contribution of coastal populations and river discharges as pollution sources. MPs were detected throughout this internationally protected Ramsar site, with proximity to populated areas and river inputs driving spatial variation in contamination.

2025 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial distribution and increase of microplastics over time in sediments of Buenaventura Bay, Colombian Pacific

This study tracked changes in microplastic contamination in sediments of Buenaventura Bay in Colombia over time, finding that levels have increased and that the types and distribution vary spatially. The findings document a growing plastic pollution problem in a major Pacific port city.

2021 Boletín de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Incremento de la contaminación por microplásticos en aguas superficiales de la bahía de Buenaventura, Pacífico colombiano

Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in surface waters of Buenaventura Bay on Colombia's Pacific coast and found levels had increased compared to earlier surveys. Fibers were the most common type, likely from textile washing and fishing activities in the region. This is one of few studies documenting microplastic pollution on Colombia's Pacific coast.

2021 Boletín de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras 18 citations