Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Occurrence of microplastics in Mytilus edulis and Arenicola marina collected along the French-Belgian-Dutch coast

Researchers measured microplastics in blue mussels and lugworms collected from beaches along the French, Belgian, and Dutch coasts, finding microplastics in both species at levels reflecting environmental concentrations. The study bridged the gap between high-concentration lab experiments and field reality by documenting actual microplastic contamination in these commonly consumed and studied marine species.

2012 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and spatial distribution of microplastics in sediments from Norderney

Researchers surveyed sediments from Norderney in the North Sea and found widespread microplastic contamination, documenting spatial distribution patterns and particle characteristics across this tidally influenced coastal environment.

2014 Environmental Pollution 608 citations
Article Tier 2

Prey choice and ingestion of microplastics by common shelducks and common eiders in the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site

Researchers found microplastic contamination in over 92% of stomach samples and 74–86% of fecal samples from common eiders and common shelducks in the Wadden Sea, with plastic filaments under 5mm dominating, suggesting widespread and near-universal ingestion by these coastal seabirds.

2023 Marine Biology 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Screening for microplastics in sediment, water, marine invertebrates and fish: Method development and microplastic accumulation

Researchers developed improved methods for extracting microplastics from biological samples and sediments, using enzymatic digestion that achieved 97% particle recovery without damaging the plastics. When applied to field samples from the North Sea and Swedish coast, they found microplastics in 8 of 9 invertebrate species tested and in 68% of brown trout. Mussel tissue contained roughly a thousand times more microplastic particles per kilogram than surrounding sediment or water.

2017 Marine Pollution Bulletin 539 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in marine sediments along the Belgian coast

Researchers surveyed marine sediments along the Belgian coast and found microplastics distributed across all sampled sites, documenting their occurrence and characteristics in this heavily trafficked North Sea coastal environment.

2011 Marine Pollution Bulletin 1391 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic distribution and composition in mudflat sediments and varnish clams (Nuttallia obscurata) at two estuaries of British Columbia, Canada: An assessment of potential anthropogenic sources

This study characterized the distribution, composition, and abundance of microplastics in mudflat sediments and in the tissues of varnish clams, a commercially harvested bivalve. High microplastic loads in both sediment and clam tissue raised concerns for seafood consumers and intertidal ecosystem health.

2024 Marine Pollution Bulletin 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Abundance, composition, and distribution of microplastics in intertidal sediment and soft tissues of four species of Bivalvia from Southeast Brazilian urban beaches

Researchers found 100% microplastic contamination in intertidal sediments and four bivalve species from urbanized Brazilian beaches, identifying polypropylene, polyethylene, and PET polymers in organisms commonly consumed by humans.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 35 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in marine invertebrates from the Red Sea Coast of Egypt: Abundance, composition, and risks

This is the first study to document microplastics in marine invertebrates along Egypt's Red Sea coast, examining 11 species of clams, snails, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers. Every animal sampled contained microplastics, with filter-feeding bivalves showing the highest concentrations per gram of tissue. The plastics identified were linked to tourism-related sources, highlighting how coastal recreation contributes to wildlife contamination.

2023 Marine Pollution Bulletin 18 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic abundance in beach sediments of the Kiel Fjord

Researchers assessed microplastic abundance in beach sediments at three sites in Kiel Fjord, Germany, finding plastics at all locations including one near a sewage treatment plant. The study highlights how multiple sources — recreational use, wastewater discharge, and plastic litter — contribute to microplastic accumulation in coastal sediments.

2021 Publishing Network for Geoscientific and Environmental Data (PANGAEA) (Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research)
Article Tier 2

Comparative analysis of microplastic pollution in commercially relevant seafood across different geographical regions

Researchers analyzed microplastic pollution in commercially important seafood species, characterizing particle morphology and polymer composition across species. The study found microplastics in all species sampled, with differences in contamination levels linked to feeding ecology and habitat.

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

Distribution and Characteristics of Microplastics in Barnacles and Wild Bivalves on the Coast of the Yellow Sea, China

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in wild barnacles and bivalves along the Yellow Sea coast of China. They found microplastics in all sampled organisms, with fibers being the dominant type, and observed spatial variation in contamination levels across different coastal sites. The study provides baseline data on microplastic pollution in wild shellfish populations that are smaller and potentially more vulnerable than farmed species.

2022 Frontiers in Marine Science 41 citations
Article Tier 2

Nanoplastics and ultrafine microplastic in the Dutch Wadden Sea – The hidden plastics debris?

Researchers applied a novel analytical method to detect nanoplastics and ultrafine microplastics smaller than 10 micrometers in Dutch Wadden Sea sediments, revealing a previously hidden fraction of plastic debris that conventional methods miss.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 117 citations
Article Tier 2

Microlitter in Fish and Benthic Invertebrates of the NE Baltic Sea: Abundance, Composition and Bioindicators

Researchers characterized microlitter abundance, composition, and bioindicator potential in fish and benthic invertebrates from multiple sites in the NE Baltic Sea, including the Gulf of Finland, Gulf of Riga, and western Estonia, following HELCOM methodology. Examining 11 fish species and 6 benthic invertebrate species collected during 2019-2020, the study evaluated resident marine fauna as monitors of microplastic contamination.

2023 International Journal of Environmental Impacts 3 citations
Article Tier 2

An enhanced risk assessment framework for microplastics occurring in the Westerscheldt estuary

Researchers developed an enhanced risk assessment framework for microplastics in the Westerscheldt estuary by surveying contamination levels in river sediments and water. They found significant microplastic pollution with abundances varying by location, and identified wastewater discharge and urban runoff as key sources. The study provides a structured approach for evaluating ecological risks from microplastic contamination in estuarine environments.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 49 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic prevalence, diversity and characteristics in commercially important edible bivalves and gastropods in relation to environmental matrices

Researchers assessed microplastic abundance and characteristics in the tissues of commercially important bivalves and gastropods from the southwest coast of India, finding MPs across all five species examined and raising concerns about seafood safety.

2023 Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances 26 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics contamination in molluscs from the northern part of the Persian Gulf

Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in five species of mollusks from the northern Persian Gulf, including both gastropods and bivalves with different feeding strategies. They found microplastics in all species, with concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 21 particles per gram of soft tissue, and fibers were the most common type. The study indicates that microplastic contamination is widespread in Persian Gulf seafood and that filter-feeding organisms tend to accumulate more particles.

2017 Environmental Pollution 356 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in the Weser estuary and the German North Sea

Microplastics were characterized in water and sediment samples from the Weser estuary and German North Sea coast, with concentrations decreasing offshore and fibers dominating in all matrices, consistent with urban and industrial river inputs as the primary source of coastal North Sea microplastic contamination.

2021 Environmental Pollution 75 citations
Article Tier 2

Quantification and characterization of microplastics in blue mussels (Mytilus edulis): protocol setup and preliminary data on the contamination of the French Atlantic coast

Researchers quantified and characterized microplastics in blue mussels from a study site, finding microplastics in a large proportion of sampled individuals and documenting the types and sizes of particles present.

2017 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 163 citations
Article Tier 2

Comparative analysis of microplastic pollution in commercially relevant seafood across different geographical regions

This study compared microplastic contamination across commercially relevant seafood species commonly consumed in the European market, characterizing both the morphological and chemical properties of particles found in edible tissue. Results showed widespread but variable contamination across species, with polymer types and particle abundance differing by species and tissue type.

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

Abundance of microplastics in intertidal and subtidal regions: A) sediments and B) water.

This study presents abundance data for microplastics in both intertidal and subtidal regions, comparing concentrations in sediment and water across habitat zones.

2025 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in seawater and fish acquired from the corresponding fishing zones of the Baltic Sea

Microplastics were detected in 100% of seawater and 61% of fish samples collected from corresponding fishing zones of the Baltic Sea, with mean abundances of 19,984 items/m³ in seawater and 3.3 items per fish. The co-sampling design linking fish MP loads to their water column environment provided direct evidence of aquatic exposure driving tissue contamination.

2024 Marine Pollution Bulletin 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Particle characteristics of microplastics contaminating the mussel Mytilus edulis and their surrounding environments

Researchers investigated microplastic uptake into mussels (Mytilus edulis) and their surrounding sediment and seawater at nine intertidal sites in southwest England, characterizing particle abundance, size, shape, and polymer composition across environmental compartments and mussel tissue.

2019 Marine Pollution Bulletin 129 citations
Article Tier 2

Hallmarking microplastics of sediments and Chamelea gallina inhabiting Southwestern Black Sea: A hypothetical look at consumption risks

Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in sediments and the bivalve Chamelea gallina along the Southwestern Black Sea coast, finding 28-684 particles per kilogram in sediments and up to 2.17 particles per individual clam, with seven polymer types identified.

2021 Marine Pollution Bulletin 49 citations
Article Tier 2

First occurrence and composition assessment of microplastics in native mussels collected from coastal and offshore areas of the northern and central Adriatic Sea

Microplastics were detected for the first time in native mussels from coastal and offshore areas of the northern and central Adriatic Sea, with chemical analysis confirming common plastic polymers and offshore populations also affected. The study establishes a baseline for microplastic contamination in an important Mediterranean commercial shellfish species.

2019 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 95 citations