Papers

61,005 results
|
Article Tier 2

Non-native Rhizophora mangle as sinks for coastal contamination on Moloka'i, Hawai'i

Researchers studied microplastic and pesticide contamination in coastal areas of Moloka'i, Hawaii, comparing zones with invasive mangrove trees to open coastline. They found that mangrove roots concentrated both microplastics (up to 2,004 particles per kg) and the insecticide bifenthrin at high levels, acting as pollution sinks that could pose risks if these trees are removed.

2023 Environmental Advances 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in mangroves with special reference to Asia: Occurrence, distribution, bioaccumulation and remediation options

This review examines microplastic contamination in Asian mangrove ecosystems, finding higher pollution levels near fishing, tourism, and industrial areas. Organisms throughout the mangrove food web, from shellfish to fish, accumulate microplastics based on their feeding habits and habitat. While mangrove plants can trap some microplastics in their roots, the widespread contamination of these coastal ecosystems raises concerns about the safety of seafood harvested from mangrove areas for human consumption.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 54 citations
Article Tier 2

Distinct microplastics abundance variation in root-associated sediments revealed the underestimation of mangrove microplastics pollution

This study characterized how microplastic abundance varies across root hair, rhizosphere, and non-rhizosphere zones in mangrove sediments, finding that root structures significantly influence microplastic trapping and migration patterns within mangrove ecosystems.

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

Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in the mangrove sediment of the semi-enclosed Maowei Sea of the south China sea: New implications for location, rhizosphere, and sediment compositions

Microplastics were widespread in mangrove sediments of the semi-enclosed Maowei Sea in southern China, with concentrations influenced by location within the mangrove, proximity to roots, and sediment composition. The study provides new insight into how mangrove ecosystems trap and accumulate microplastics, raising concerns for the health of these ecologically important coastal habitats.

2018 Environmental Pollution 207 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Contamination in Water, Sediment, and Biota in Mangrove Forests

This review synthesized research on microplastic contamination in mangrove forest water, sediment, and biota, finding that mangroves act as both sinks and potential sources of microplastics due to their complex hydrodynamics, with ecotoxicological data on mangrove-specific organisms remaining limited.

2025
Article Tier 2

Microplastic in mangroves: A worldwide review of contamination in biotic and abiotic matrices

This worldwide review analyzed 53 studies on microplastic contamination in mangrove sediments, water, and organisms across Asia, America, and Africa, finding that research is geographically limited and lacks wide-scale coverage of mangrove coastlines. Most studies characterized microplastic type, size, color, and morphology but did not assess ecological risks.

2023 Marine Pollution Bulletin 23 citations
Article Tier 2

Evidence of elevated microplastic accumulation in Pacific Island mangrove sediments

Researchers found that mangrove sediments in Fiji contained nearly ten times more microplastics than surrounding non-mangrove areas, with consistent results across both urban and rural sites. Fibers were the most common type of microplastic found, and the contamination levels were comparable to heavily polluted regions elsewhere in the world. The study highlights that mangroves, while vital coastal ecosystems, may be acting as significant traps for microplastic pollution in Pacific Island nations.

2025 Marine Pollution Bulletin 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Characteristics and distribution of microplastics in the coastal mangrove sediments of China

A survey of mangrove sediments along China's coast found microplastics were ubiquitous, with concentrations and polymer types varying by proximity to human activity and hydrological conditions. The study shows that mangrove forests, which provide critical coastal ecosystem services, are accumulating significant quantities of plastic pollution.

2019 The Science of The Total Environment 213 citations
Meta Analysis Tier 1

Plastic pollution in mangrove ecosystems: A global meta-analysis

This meta-analysis pooled global data on plastic pollution in mangrove ecosystems and found that these critical coastal habitats act as natural plastic traps. Mangroves accumulate significant amounts of both large plastic debris and microplastics due to their complex root structures. Since mangroves serve as nurseries for fish and seafood species that people eat, plastic contamination in these ecosystems could affect the food chain.

2025 Marine Pollution Bulletin 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Preliminary assessment of microplastic in rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere region of mangrove at four locations along Karachi coast, Pakistan

Researchers assessed microplastic distribution in rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere mangrove sediments at four sites along the Karachi coast, finding 14,960 particles with slightly higher counts in non-rhizosphere zones. Beads were the most common particle type, and FTIR confirmed polyethylene and polypropylene as dominant polymers.

2024 Marine Pollution Bulletin 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Singapore’s coastal mangrove ecosystems

Researchers sampled coastal mangrove ecosystems in Singapore and found microplastics throughout, demonstrating that mangrove habitats accumulate plastic pollution and raising concerns for the organisms that depend on these ecologically important coastal forests.

2013 Marine Pollution Bulletin 977 citations
Article Tier 2

The distribution, characteristics and ecological risks of microplastics in the mangroves of Southern China

Microplastics were found to be widespread in mangrove sediments across Southern China, with higher concentrations in areas closer to urban development and aquaculture. The study highlights mangroves as accumulation zones for microplastic pollution, which could threaten these ecologically important coastal ecosystems.

2019 The Science of The Total Environment 339 citations
Article Tier 2

Impacts of Microplastics on Mangroves - A Review

Mangrove forests act as natural traps for microplastics due to their dense root systems that slow water flow, leading to higher microplastic accumulation in mangroves than other coastal zones. This matters because the build-up harms mangrove plants at the cellular and physiological level, threatening these ecologically critical habitats that protect coastlines and support fisheries.

2023 International Journal of Research and Review 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Small microplastic particles (S-MPPs) in sediments of mangrove ecosystem on the northern coast of the Persian Gulf

Small microplastic particles were documented in mangrove ecosystem sediments along the northern Persian Gulf coast, with polymer types and contamination levels reflecting regional plastic use and ocean current transport patterns. The study adds to evidence that mangrove sediments in the Middle East are accumulating microplastic pollution, threatening these ecologically important coastal habitats.

2019 Marine Pollution Bulletin 172 citations
Article Tier 2

Uptake, growth, and oxidative stress responses of Rhizophora mucronata (Poir. in Lam.) propagules exposed to high-density polyethylene microplastics

Researchers exposed mangrove propagules to environmentally relevant concentrations of high-density polyethylene microplastics for three months and found that the particles accumulated on root surfaces and translocated into the shoot system. The microplastics caused significant reductions in root length, plant height, and foliar area, along with increased oxidative stress indicators. The study suggests that microplastic pollution poses a real threat to mangrove growth and could ultimately affect the diversity and productivity of mangrove forests.

2025 Marine Pollution Bulletin 1 citations
Article Tier 2

A review on microplastic pollution in the mangrove wetlands and microbial strategies for its remediation

Researchers reviewed the growing problem of microplastic pollution in mangrove wetland ecosystems and its effects on the biological communities that depend on these habitats. They found that microplastic exposure can substantially alter the microbial communities critical to nutrient cycling in mangrove environments. The review also explores microbial bioremediation strategies as a sustainable approach to addressing plastic pollution in these threatened coastal ecosystems.

2021 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 68 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessing microplastic contamination levels in ghana's mangrove wetlands

Researchers investigated microplastic contamination levels in Ghana's mangrove wetlands, examining how the morphology of mangrove root systems traps and accumulates plastic particles of all sizes and assessing the threat posed to these ecologically critical coastal ecosystems.

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

The Occurrence of Microplastics in Sediment Cores from Two Mangrove Areas in Southern Thailand

Microplastics were found in sediment cores from two mangrove areas in southern Thailand, with concentrations and polymer types reflecting inputs from both terrestrial and marine sources. The study documents mangrove sediments as accumulation zones for microplastics and highlights the potential threat to these ecologically sensitive coastal ecosystems.

2022 Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 52 citations
Article Tier 2

Responses of mangrove (Kandelia obovata) growth, photosynthesis, and rhizosphere soil properties to microplastic pollution

Researchers found that polyethylene, polypropylene, and PVC microplastics significantly impaired mangrove (Kandelia obovata) root growth, photosynthesis, and soil microbial properties after 12 months of exposure, threatening mangrove ecosystem health.

2023 Marine Pollution Bulletin 41 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial and vertical distribution of microplastics in mangrove sediment in the southern Philippines

This study mapped microplastic contamination in the sediments of three mangrove forests in Mindanao, Philippines, finding particles at all sites with counts ranging from 83 to 2,250 items per kilogram depending on location. Fragment shapes dominated near one river mouth while fibers dominated at a coastal site, and polypropylene was the most common polymer overall. Microplastic levels and types appeared linked to local economic activity, fishing, and waste management practices. The findings provide baseline data for protecting these ecologically important coastal ecosystems.

2025 Marine Environmental Research 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Profil Pencemaran Mikroplastik Pada Sedimen Ekosistem Mangrove di Pulau Serangan, Bali

Indonesian researchers measured microplastic contamination in mangrove sediments at Serangan Island, Bali, sampling across different depths and land-use types to map the distribution of plastic particles in this coastal ecosystem. Mangroves act as natural plastic traps due to their dense root networks, making them important sentinels for monitoring coastal plastic pollution.

2026 Metamorfosa Journal of Biological Sciences
Article Tier 2

Quantifying microplastic pollution in South African mangrove forests: A comparative analysis of abundance, morphotype, polymer composition and toxicity.

Researchers quantified microplastic pollution in South African mangrove forest sediments across multiple sites, providing rare baseline data for African coastal ecosystems that are underrepresented in global microplastic research. Microplastics were detected at all sampled mangrove sites, with contamination levels varying in relation to proximity to urban development and river inputs.

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

Assessing microplastic contamination levels in ghana's mangrove wetlands

Researchers assessed microplastic contamination levels in mangrove wetlands in Ghana, examining how mangrove tree morphology facilitates plastic accumulation and what concentrations and polymer types are present in these coastal ecosystems. The study addressed threats to mangrove ecological services including water quality improvement, carbon sequestration, and coastline protection posed by plastic pollution.

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

Karakteristik Mikroplastik Pada Ekosistem Pesisir Di Kawasan Mangrove Perancak, Bali

This Indonesian study investigated microplastic contamination in a coastal mangrove ecosystem in Perancak, comparing natural and disturbed zones. Mangrove ecosystems can both trap and be harmed by microplastic pollution.

2021 JFMR-Journal of Fisheries and Marine Research 6 citations