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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to A screening-level human health risk assessment for microplastics and organic contaminants in near-shore marine environments in American Samoa
ClearUnveiling Microplastic Abundance and Distribution in an Oceanic Island: Offshore Depository or Local Pollution Indicator
Microplastic abundance and distribution were documented across surface waters and sediments of an oceanic island, with findings indicating both local land-based pollution and ocean gyre-driven deposition of particles from distant sources.
Plastic pollution in Leeward, Moorea and Cook islands (South Pacific): A baseline study
Researchers conducted a baseline survey of beach macrolitter and microplastics in surface waters and sediments across six islands in French Polynesia and the Cook Islands, finding high macroplastic contamination on most beaches with densities of 18-58 items per 100 meters. Surface water microplastic concentrations were low (0-4668 particles per km), suggesting localized contamination linked to tourism and coastal activities rather than widespread oceanic inputs.
Plastic contamination of a Galapagos Island (Ecuador) and the relative risks to native marine species
Researchers conducted a comprehensive survey of plastic contamination across the marine ecosystem of a Galapagos island — covering beaches, water, sediment, and invertebrates — and found widespread contamination including in native species, identifying dominant sources and risk levels for key marine animals.
Environmental implications of microplastic pollution in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean
Researchers assessed microplastic concentrations, distribution, and characteristics across the Northwestern Pacific Ocean, finding widespread contamination with significant spatial variation and identifying environmental implications for marine ecosystems in this understudied region.
Presence of microplastics in water, sediments and fish species in an urban coastal environment of Fiji, a Pacific small island developing state
Researchers conducted the first assessment of microplastic levels in surface water, sediments, and fish from the urban coastal environment of Suva, Fiji. The study confirmed the presence of microplastics across all three matrices in this Pacific small island developing state, and evaluated contributions from local sources including wastewater, highlighting that microplastic pollution affects even remote island nations.
Distribution and biological implications of plastic pollution on the fringing reef of Mo’orea, French Polynesia
This study quantified both macro- and microplastic pollution on the coral reef of Mo'orea in French Polynesia, finding plastic at every sampled beach and in reef sediments. The research demonstrates that even remote Pacific island coral reefs receive significant plastic contamination from oceanic gyres and local sources.
Preliminary Assessment into the Prevalence and Distribution of Microplastics in North and South Pacific Island Beaches
Researchers conducted a preliminary investigation into microplastic prevalence on eight beaches across North and South Pacific Island locations in New Zealand and Hawaii, analyzing contamination as a function of beach location, sand type, and microplastic morphology. The study found microplastics at all eight sites, highlighting the widespread distribution of plastic pollution across remote Pacific Island shorelines.
Microplastic abundance, distribution and composition in the mid-west Pacific Ocean
Researchers surveyed microplastic abundance, distribution, and composition across the mid-west Pacific Ocean, an area with previously limited data, finding widespread contamination across sampled stations. The dominant particle types were fibers and fragments, with concentrations varying by location and depth.
Microplastic pollution in the intertidal and subtidal sediments of Vava'u, Tonga
Researchers documented microplastic contamination in intertidal and subtidal sediments of the Vava'u archipelago in Tonga, providing the first baseline data for the South Pacific island nation using a low-cost density-separation method adaptable for resource-limited settings.
Microplastics in subsurface coastal waters along the southern coast of Viti Levu in Fiji, South Pacific
Microplastics were found in subsurface coastal waters at both urban and rural sites along Fiji's main island, with no significant difference between settings. Even rural and less-developed coastal areas in small island nations experience widespread microplastic contamination.
Microplastic pollution in seawater and marine organisms across the Tropical Eastern Pacific and Galápagos
Researchers collected water samples across a 4,000 km Pacific Ocean trajectory and found microplastics throughout, along with microplastics in fish, squid, and shrimp caught for human consumption along the coast. The study confirms widespread plastic contamination across the Tropical Eastern Pacific, including in seafood species eaten by humans.
Tracking microplastics and the associated ecological risk in the southwestern Pacific Ocean
Researchers assessed microplastic abundance and composition along an approximately 1,000 km oceanographic transect of the southwestern Pacific coast of Chile, sampling at six river mouths and characterizing the ecological risk associated with plastic pollution entering coastal marine environments.
Microplastic pollution in seawater and marine organisms across the Tropical Eastern Pacific and Galápagos
Researchers sampled water and seafood across 453,000 square kilometers of the Tropical Eastern Pacific and Galápagos Islands, finding microplastics in 100% of water samples and in every species of fish, squid, and shrimp collected. This confirms that microplastic contamination is pervasive even in remote ocean regions, raising concerns for both marine ecosystems and human food safety.
Distribution characteristics and transport pathways of soil microplastics in coral reef islands with different developmental stages and human activities
Researchers mapped microplastic contamination in the soil of coral reef islands in the South China Sea and found 1,068 to 1,616 particles per kilogram across islands at different stages of development. More developed islands with greater human activity had higher contamination levels, and ocean currents and monsoons were the main forces spreading microplastics to less developed islands. The study shows that even remote island ecosystems are not safe from microplastic pollution, which can affect the soil and water these communities depend on.
Microplastic pollution and risk assessment around coral reefs of the Eastern Part, Thailand
This study assessed microplastic pollution and ecological risk in sediments and water around coral reefs in the Eastern Pacific, finding microplastic concentrations elevated near human activity and identifying polymer types associated with fishing gear and land-based plastic waste.
Spatial distribution of microplastics around an inhabited coral island in the Maldives, Indian Ocean
Researchers investigated microplastic accumulation across fore reef, reef flat, and beach sediment environments surrounding a small inhabited coral island in the Maldives, finding 1,244 individual microplastic pieces across 22 sampling sites. The study reveals that even remote inhabited islands in the Indian Ocean show significant microplastic contamination, with spatial distribution patterns reflecting local hydrodynamics and human activities.
Distribution and biological implications of plastic pollution on the fringing reef of Mo’orea, French Polynesia
This study found plastic pollution at every sampled site on the fringing coral reef of Mo'orea in French Polynesia, with microplastics distributed throughout the reef and lagoon sediments. The research documents plastic contamination of a remote Pacific reef ecosystem and discusses possible effects on reef-building corals and associated species.
Pollution in the Marine Environment: Plastics, Microplastics and Organic Pollutants
This study characterizes marine debris collected from coastal waters, analyzing the types and origins of plastic and organic pollutants found in the marine environment. It combines debris characterization with organic pollutant analysis to understand the compound contamination burden faced by marine ecosystems.
Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments and organisms of the Western Pacific Ocean
Researchers collected deep-sea sediment and organism samples from multiple sites in the western Pacific Ocean and found microplastics at all locations sampled, with depth, distance from land, and current patterns influencing accumulation, confirming the western Pacific deep sea as a significant microplastic sink.
A temporal assessment of microplastics distribution on the beaches of three remote islands of the Yasawa archipelago, Fiji
Researchers conducted a three-year temporal study of microplastics on beaches of the Yasawa Islands, Fiji, finding average concentrations of 4.5 MPs/m2 with significantly higher levels on east-facing storm-line beaches, with polypropylene and polystyrene as the most common polymer types.
Ingestion of plastic by fish destined for human consumption in remote South Pacific Islands
Plastic was found in the digestive tracts of 24 fish species collected from local fishermen and markets across remote South Pacific islands, with species consuming plastic regardless of feeding guild. The results raise public health concerns for Pacific island communities where fish is a dietary staple and plastic marine debris is widespread.
Considering ecological traits of fishes to understand microplastic ingestion across Pacific coastal fisheries
Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in coastal fish across four Pacific Island nations (Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu) using standardized methods. By analyzing 878 fish across multiple species, they found that ecological traits such as feeding behavior and habitat use influenced microplastic ingestion patterns, providing important context for understanding contamination risks in Pacific coastal fisheries.
Chemical identification of microplastics in marine organisms from the Ryukyu Archipelago, Japan
Researchers chemically identified microplastics found in marine organisms from the coral reefs of the Ryukyu Archipelago in Okinawa, Japan, characterizing polymer types and particle abundance in a region under high plastic pollution pressure. The study documented diverse polymer types in reef-associated marine organisms, reflecting the complex mixture of plastic sources in Pacific island coastal waters.
Organic Pollutants Associated with Plastic Debris in Marine Environment: A Systematic Review of Analytical Methods, Occurrence, and Characteristics
This systematic review summarizes research on organic pollutants that attach to plastic debris in marine environments. The findings are concerning for human health because microplastics in the ocean can absorb and carry toxic chemicals like pesticides and flame retardants, and when marine life ingests these contaminated particles, the pollutants can move up the food chain to our seafood.