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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Accuracy of a Simple Microplastics Investigation Method on Sandy Beaches
ClearThe sampling and analysis of coastal microplastic and mesoplastic: Development of a citizen science approach
This study designed, developed, and tested a citizen science approach to microplastic and mesoplastic data collection on coastal beaches to address scale and coverage limitations of traditional research methods. Results showed non-expert participants could collect comparable data to researchers, expanding monitoring capacity across undersampled coastlines.
Accuracy of a Simple Microplastics Investigation Method on Sandy Beaches
This study assessed whether high school students using simple, low-cost tools (tape measures, cardboard, and seawater instead of heavy laboratory liquids) could accurately survey microplastic levels on sandy beaches. Results showed high accuracy — up to 89% particle recovery using seawater alone — suggesting that citizen science beach monitoring programs can generate reliable data. Democratising microplastic monitoring is important for scaling up environmental surveillance beyond what professional researchers can cover.
Citizen Science for Assessment of Microplastics on Beaches: A Case Study in Mexico
Researchers used a citizen science approach involving 26 volunteers to assess microplastic abundance and type on Mexican beaches, providing broad geographic coverage at lower cost than traditional monitoring. Participants used standardized materials and training to collect and identify microplastics, generating a representative database that also raised public awareness of coastal plastic pollution.
Determining global distribution of microplastics by combining citizen science and in-depth case studies
This study combined citizen science sampling data with in-depth field studies to build a better global picture of microplastic distribution. The approach shows how large-scale volunteer monitoring can extend spatial coverage far beyond what professional researchers can achieve alone.
The potential contribution of citizen science data in the study of coastal microplastic and mesoplastic distributions
Researchers analyzed citizen science data from the Big Microplastic Survey to assess the potential contribution of volunteer-collected observations to understanding coastal microplastic and mesoplastic distribution patterns, evaluating data quality and spatial coverage relative to conventional scientific monitoring.
Microplastic distribution and composition on two Galápagos island beaches, Ecuador: Verifying the use of citizen science derived data in long-term monitoring
Researchers validated a citizen science methodology for monitoring visible microplastic contamination on Galapagos island beaches using standardized quadrat sampling, comparing citizen-generated data with expert surveys over multiple years. The approach was found to produce reliable data for long-term monitoring while reducing costs, supporting its use in logistically challenging remote locations.
The Contribution of Citizen Scientists to the Monitoring of Marine Litter
Researchers compared 40 citizen science marine litter monitoring studies with 40 professional science studies, finding that citizen science projects have mainly focused on beach surveys and successfully generated large-scale distribution data, while professional studies have contributed more to composition analysis and ecological impact assessment. The review highlights the complementary strengths of both approaches and the value of citizen participation in long-term litter monitoring.
Using citizen science to understand floating plastic debris distribution and abundance: A case study from the North Cornish coast (United Kingdom).
This citizen science study used a standardized methodology to monitor floating plastic debris off the Cornish coast of the UK, finding microplastic concentrations comparable to or higher than other European coastal regions. The study demonstrates that citizen science can generate useful, standardized data on plastic pollution in coastal waters.
Increasing our understanding of coastal microplastics and mesoplastics: a comparison of sampling methodologies using volunteer researchers
Researchers compared three different methods for sampling coastal microplastic and mesoplastic pollution using trained volunteers at three locations in southern England. They found that one citizen science method, the Big Microplastic Survey, consistently detected more plastic pollution and fewer zero counts than the other approaches. The study underscores the challenge of standardizing sampling methods and the importance of enabling meaningful comparisons across global monitoring efforts.
Testing citizen science as a tool for monitoring surface water microplastics
Researchers tested citizen science as a monitoring method for surface water microplastics in the Baltic Sea using a custom manta trawl aboard a sailing vessel, sampling at seven locations and finding microplastic concentrations from 0.45 to 1.98 MP/m², and evaluated the viability of integrating citizen science into large-scale MP monitoring programs.
Citizen Science for Monitoring Plastic Pollution from Source to Sea: A Systematic Review of Methodologies, Best Practices, and Challenges
This systematic review examines how citizen science programs track plastic pollution from land to sea. The research found that while public participation greatly expands data collection, inconsistent methods and data quality issues limit the scientific usefulness of the results. Better-designed citizen science programs could help communities monitor and respond to the microplastic pollution in their local environments.
Paddle surfing for science on microplastic pollution: a successful citizen science initiative
Researchers used paddle surfers as citizen scientists to collect microplastic samples from near-shore coastal waters in the Mediterranean Sea, filling a gap in data from areas close to the coastline. The study demonstrates how citizen science can expand microplastic monitoring to locations that are difficult to access with conventional research vessels.
Microplastic Pollution Projects and Participatory Science
This paper discusses citizen science and participatory science projects for monitoring microplastic pollution, reviewing methodological approaches, data quality considerations, and the potential for large-scale pollution mapping through public engagement.
Citizen Science Protocol for beach plastic monitoring using aerial drones
Researchers developed a citizen science protocol using aerial drones to monitor plastic pollution on beaches. The study outlines systematic methods for community-based beach surveys to track the accumulation of plastic debris, from large items to microplastics, supporting environmental monitoring efforts along coastal areas.
Citizen science in environmental and ecological sciences
This review describes how citizen science, where non-professional volunteers help collect data, is being applied in environmental and ecological research. Citizen science projects have contributed to monitoring pollution, biodiversity, and water quality across large geographic areas. The approach is relevant to microplastic research because trained volunteers can help sample and catalog microplastic contamination across many locations that professional scientists cannot cover alone.
Method for Quantifying and Characterization of Microplastics in Sand Beaches
This paper proposes a standardized method for sampling and characterizing microplastics in beach sand to improve comparability across studies. Consistent methodology is critical because current variation in field and lab techniques makes it difficult to combine or compare data from different research groups.
Citizen Science Protocol for beach plastic monitoring using aerial drones
Researchers developed a citizen science protocol using aerial drones to monitor plastic pollution on beaches. The study outlines methods for engaging community volunteers in systematic beach surveys, aiming to improve the scale and frequency of plastic pollution data collection for environmental monitoring and policy development.
Volunteer microplastic sampling in Puget Sound: strategies for broad inclusion, education, and research
This paper describes a volunteer microplastic sampling program in Puget Sound, Washington, examining strategies for community participation and data quality in citizen science monitoring of marine plastic pollution. The program demonstrates how broad public involvement can generate spatially extensive environmental data at low cost.
Testing Kayakers as Citizen Scientists for monitoring microplastics in the coastal marine environment
Researchers tested recreational kayakers as citizen scientists for coastal microplastic monitoring by deploying mini-manta nets in the Ligurian Sea alongside traditional manta nets towed by research vessels across five sampling campaigns beginning March 2021. They found that microplastic abundances in nearshore areas sampled by kayak-towed mini-manta nets were on average higher than offshore samples, with no significant differences in shape, size, and composition between the two sampling approaches.
Microplastic detectives: a citizen-science project reveals large variation in meso- and microplastic pollution along German coastlines
A citizen science project recruited volunteers to sample meso- and microplastics along German Baltic and North Sea coastlines, achieving spatial coverage far beyond what scientific teams alone could accomplish. Large variation in plastic pollution was found across sites, with some areas showing unexpectedly high concentrations linked to local sources and ocean circulation patterns.
Rapid spatiotemporal monitoring of beach microplastics in the Galápagos Islands
This study tested whether citizen scientists — local teenagers in the Galápagos Islands — could reliably monitor beach microplastics using a portable near-infrared spectrometer, finding that 93% of particles were correctly identified as plastic and showing that microplastic concentrations on Tortuga Bay increased significantly in 2024. The citizen science approach generated five years of spatiotemporal data that would otherwise be impossible to collect in such a remote location. This matters because low-cost, community-based monitoring could fill major gaps in global microplastic surveillance, especially in ecologically sensitive and hard-to-reach areas.
Microplastic Pollution in the Coast of Tarragona
Students and educators in Tarragona, Spain conducted a citizen science study measuring microplastic concentrations in coastal seawater and beach sand. The study found microplastics at all sampling sites, demonstrating that even relatively less industrialized Mediterranean coastal areas face significant microplastic pollution.
Microplastics in Sand: Green Protocol for Expert Citizen Science over Large Geographical Areas
Researchers evaluated and compared analytical strategies for detecting microplastics in sand, focusing on the environmental footprint, safety, and effectiveness of density separation reagents. They proposed a greener protocol using lower-toxicity, high-density media to reduce the chemical burden of microplastic monitoring campaigns conducted at large geographic scales.
Can we investigate microplastic pollution with school students? Experiences from eight years of citizen science research
Researchers reported on eight years of citizen science microplastic research conducted with school students through the Plastic Pirates program, sharing methodological experiences and lessons learned from involving more than 24,000 participants across Germany and other European countries in rigorous environmental monitoring.