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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to An Examination of Microplastic Pollution in Protected Areas from Outdoor Recreation
ClearA global snapshot of microplastic contamination in sediments and biota of marine protected areas
A global snapshot of microplastic contamination in sediments and biota across marine protected areas (MPAs) found that microplastics are ubiquitous even in these conservation zones, undermining their protective function. The review synthesizes occurrence data and calls for microplastic monitoring to be integrated into MPA management plans.
Occurrence of anthropogenic microparticles in soils of teide national park
Researchers detected anthropogenic microparticles including synthetic fibers and plastic fragments in soils of Teide National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tenerife that receives nearly 4 million visitors annually despite protective legislation. The presence of plastic particles in this strictly protected alpine site illustrates how visitor activity introduces microplastic contamination even in legally protected environments.
Plastics on the rocks: the invisible but harmful footprint of shoe soles
This study found that shoe soles worn on a short mountain hiking trail shed significant quantities of microplastic particles, contaminating the path and surrounding vegetation. The finding reveals that recreational outdoor activities are an overlooked source of microplastic pollution even in protected natural areas.
Microplastic pollution in water environment of typical nature reserves and scenery districts in southern China
Researchers measured microplastic abundance and polymer composition in water from 11 nature reserves and scenic districts in southern China, detecting microplastics in all samples with variation related to proximity to human activities. The findings fill a knowledge gap on microplastic contamination in protected natural areas and reveal that even remote reserves are not free from plastic pollution.
Microplastic surface retention and mobility on hiking trails
Researchers simulated heavy rainfall on hiking trail surfaces and measured the mobility of microplastic particles deposited by trail users, finding that rainfall can transport deposited microplastics off trails and into adjacent soil and waterways, extending the environmental footprint of trail recreation.
Implications of Microplastic Pollution for the Conservation of Marine Protected Areas Authors
This study examines the implications of microplastic pollution for the conservation effectiveness of Marine Protected Areas, investigating whether the presence of microplastics undermines the environmental protection goals of these designated conservation zones.
Microplastic contamination in seawater across global marine protected areas boundaries
Researchers conducted a comprehensive assessment of microplastic contamination across global Marine Protected Areas, finding that these conservation zones are not immune to plastic pollution and highlighting the need for targeted mitigation strategies.
Microplastic pollution on hiking and running trails in Australian protected environments
This study detected and characterized microplastics on hiking and trail running routes in Australian protected natural areas, finding that footwear and clothing shed significant quantities of synthetic microplastic fibers onto trails in ecologically sensitive environments.
Waste Management in Selected National Parks: A Review
This review examines waste management practices in protected natural areas globally, highlighting the challenge of managing visitor waste in parks and reserves. Proper waste management in natural areas is critical to preventing plastic litter from breaking down into microplastics that contaminate pristine habitats.
Microplastics pollution and risk assessment in water bodies of two nature reserves in Jilin Province: Correlation analysis with the degree of human activity
Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in the waters of two nature reserves in northeastern China and found contamination at all sampling sites, with abundances correlated to the degree of nearby human activity. Fiber-shaped microplastics were the most prevalent type, and risk assessment indicated moderate ecological concern in some areas. The study demonstrates that even protected natural areas are not immune to microplastic pollution, particularly when human activities occur nearby.
From urban areas to conservation unities: assessing microplastic pollution across the Pantanal
A cross-landscape study in Brazil assessed microplastic pollution across a gradient from urban areas to conservation units, finding that MP concentrations decreased with distance from urban centers but that even protected natural areas contained measurable contamination, indicating broad geographic spread.
Assessing microplastic contamination in Icelandic soils: Insights from pristine, agricultural, and urban environments
Researchers analyzed microplastic accumulation in pristine and remote soils in Iceland to test whether long-range atmospheric transport deposits microplastics in undisturbed environments. Microplastics were detected in Icelandic soils, confirming that atmospheric deposition reaches isolated environments far from plastic sources.
Abundance and characterization of microplastic pollution in the wildlife reserve, Ramsar site, recreational areas, and national park in northern Jakarta and Kepulauan Seribu, Indonesia
This is the first study to measure microplastic pollution in sediments across protected areas near Jakarta, Indonesia, including a wildlife reserve, a Ramsar wetland site, and a marine national park. Microplastics were found at all locations, with higher concentrations closer to human activity and during the dry season. The results suggest that even designated conservation areas are not spared from microplastic contamination.
Mikroplastik Pada Sedimen di Zona Pemukiman, Zona Perlindungan Bahari dan Zona Pemanfaatan Darat Kepulauan Karimunjawa, Jepara
This Indonesian study investigated microplastic types and abundances in sediments across different zones of the Karimunjawa National Park, comparing residential, marine protected, and buffer zones. The results show that even protected marine areas in Indonesia are not immune to microplastic contamination.
Quantifying, and assessing the impact of, microplastics in terrestrial samples
Researchers developed methodologies to quantify microplastics (1 to 1000 micrometers) in terrestrial woodland environments, addressing the significant knowledge gap about microplastic concentrations and ecological impacts in soil ecosystems compared to the more extensively studied aquatic compartments.
Assessing microplastic contamination in Icelandic soils: Insights from pristine, agricultural, and urban environments
Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in Icelandic soils including pristine, agricultural, and urban sites to determine whether long-range atmospheric deposition reaches this sparsely populated island. Microplastics were detected across all site types, confirming atmospheric transport as a pathway to remote northern ecosystems.
Examining sampling protocols for microplastics on recreational trails
This study developed and tested sampling protocols for detecting microplastics on hiking and trail running routes in nature reserves. Microplastics were found on trail surfaces, likely shed from synthetic clothing, footwear, and equipment used by outdoor recreationists. The findings highlight recreational trails as an underappreciated source of microplastic contamination in natural areas.
Kelimpahan Mikroplastik di Perairan Zona Pemukiman, Zona Pariwisata dan Zona Perlindungan Kepulauan Karimunjawa, Jepara
This Indonesian study measured microplastic abundance in surface waters across different management zones of Karimunjawa National Park, finding microplastics even in protected and restricted areas. The results highlight that even nationally protected marine areas are not immune to microplastic pollution.
Temporal and spatial distribution of microplastics in green infrastructures: Rain gardens
Researchers measured temporal and spatial distribution of microplastics in green areas including parks and urban forests, finding particles across all sampled sites with concentration patterns influenced by proximity to roads, human activity, and atmospheric deposition. The results indicate that even urban green spaces are not free from microplastic contamination.
Ominous trends in nature recreation
This commentary discusses ominous trends in outdoor recreation and their consequences for natural environments, noting that increasing numbers of visitors to natural areas bring with them plastic waste and other contaminants. The piece highlights the growing role of recreational activities in distributing micro- and nano-plastics across natural landscapes.
Microplastics occurrence and frequency in soils under different land uses on a regional scale
A regional-scale survey measured microplastic occurrence in soils under different land uses (agricultural, urban, natural), finding that concentrations varied by land use type and that real-world field concentrations were often lower than those used in laboratory ecotoxicology studies.
Microplastic in Terrestrial Ecosystems and the Soil?
This review examined the occurrence and behavior of microplastics in terrestrial ecosystems and soils, questioning how particles move through and accumulate in soils and calling for more research on land-based microplastic impacts.
Microplastics contamination in terrestrial wildlife: the study in carcasses and feces of vertebrate species in western Thailand
Researchers examined microplastic accumulation in terrestrial wildlife carcasses and fecal samples from protected and non-protected areas of western Thailand, finding contamination in multiple species. The presence of microplastics in wildlife from protected areas highlights the inability of conservation boundaries to shield fauna from pervasive plastic pollution.
Microplastics in freshwater reservoirs of protected areas on the example of lakes of the «Valdai» National Park
Researchers conducted reconnaissance studies of microplastic and macroplastic contamination in lakes of the Valdai National Park, a protected area in Russia, finding microplastic particles in lakes used for fisheries and recreation but no polymer microparticle contamination in the strictly protected lake zones.