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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Categorization of plastic debris on sixty-six beaches of the Laurentian Great Lakes, North America
ClearPlastic debris in the Laurentian Great Lakes: A review
This review synthesized available data on plastic debris in the Laurentian Great Lakes, including both surface water surveys and shoreline monitoring, finding levels comparable to those in oceanic garbage patches in some areas. The review highlighted the Great Lakes as a significant freshwater plastic pollution hotspot requiring targeted research and management.
Microplastic pollution in the surface waters of the Laurentian Great Lakes
Researchers documented microplastic pollution across the surface waters of the Laurentian Great Lakes, finding contamination in all lakes sampled — particularly Lake Erie — with fibers as the dominant particle type, highlighting plastic pollution in a critical freshwater system.
Inventory and transport of plastic debris in the Laurentian Great Lakes
Researchers modeled plastic debris transport in the Laurentian Great Lakes using hydrodynamic current data and population-based input estimates, calculating that approximately 9,887 metric tons of plastic enter the lakes annually, with surface microplastic mass concentrated in Lakes Erie and Huron based on sampling-calibrated simulations.
Plastic Debris in 29 Great Lakes Tributaries: Relations to Watershed Attributes and Hydrology
Researchers surveyed plastic debris in 29 Great Lakes tributaries and found widespread contamination, with higher debris loads associated with larger watershed populations, more impervious land surface, and greater storm drain density.
Factors driving the spatial distribution of microplastics in nearshore and offshore sediment of Lake Huron, North America
Researchers found microplastic abundances in Lake Huron sediments ranging from 59 to 335,714 particles per kg dry weight, with the North Channel showing the highest concentrations averaging 47,398 particles per kg. Results indicated that hydrodynamic processes such as waves and currents drive offshore distribution more than proximity to pollution sources.
Quantification and characterization of plastics in near-shore surface waters of Atlantic Canada
Researchers quantified and characterised plastic pollution in near-shore surface waters at three locations across Atlantic Canada, finding an average abundance of 9,669 items/km with microplastics (0.425-5 mm) comprising 68% of particles, polyethylene accounting for 30% of all particles, and plastic fragments as the most common morphological type.
Occurrence, distribution and size relationships of plastic debris along shores and sediment of northern Lake Victoria
Researchers investigated the occurrence, distribution, and size of plastic debris along shores and sediment of northern Lake Victoria, finding micro-, meso-, and macro-plastics up to 1102 particles/kg dry sediment in shoreline sediment, with contamination significantly higher near fish landing beaches than recreational beaches.
An analysis of microlitter and microplastics from Lake Superior beach sand and surface-water
Researchers sampled beach sand and surface water in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore of Lake Superior, finding microlitter particles including microplastics even in this relatively pristine Great Lakes environment, with samples collected in May and July 2018.
Source-specific categorization of microplastics in nearshore surface waters of the Great Lakes
A source-specific characterization study of microplastics in nearshore surface waters of the Great Lakes found the highest abundances near urban centers, with distinct polymer and color signatures linking particles to packaging, fibers, and industrial sources.
Sources and sinks of microplastics in Canadian Lake Ontario nearshore, tributary and beach sediments
Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in Lake Ontario sediments from nearshore areas, tributaries, and beaches to map pollution patterns. They found the highest concentrations near urban and industrial zones, particularly in Toronto Harbour, where levels exceeded 500 particles per kilogram of sediment. The study identifies wastewater outflows and urban runoff as key sources of microplastic pollution in the Great Lakes region.
Abundance and characterization of microplastics on sandy beaches along the coastal area of Belize
Researchers quantified and characterized microplastic abundance on sandy beaches along the coastal zone of Belize, establishing baseline contamination data for a region of Central America and the Caribbean where such pollution assessments are critically lacking.
Variation in plastic abundance at different lake beach zones - A case study
Researchers sampled five beaches on Lake Garda using transects and sediment cores to determine optimal microplastic sampling zones, finding that the drift line consistently accumulates plastic particles across all beaches and provides the most comparable and representative sampling location for lake microplastic assessments.
Micro- and macro-plastics in beach sediment of the Algerian western coast: First data on distribution, characterization, and source
Researchers conducted the first survey of micro- and macro-plastic pollution on nine beaches along 124 km of Algeria's western coast, finding plastic concentrations varying from 7.6 to 66 items/m2 with fragments dominating at 83% and pellets comprising nearly 15% of microplastics.
Microplastic pollution on island beaches, Oahu, Hawai`i
Researchers surveyed microplastic densities on six windward beaches of Oahu, Hawaii, finding very high concentrations of 700-1,700 particles/m2 on high-wave-energy beaches with coarser sands, comparable to other remote island beaches globally.
Plastic Pollution in the Laurentian Great Lakes: Informing a Coordinated, Regional Management Response
This review assessed a decade of progress in understanding plastic pollution in the Laurentian Great Lakes, covering key sources (litter, textiles, paint, resin pellets), transport pathways, and distribution across water, sediment, and biota. The authors called for a coordinated regional management framework to reduce inputs and monitor long-term trends.
Microplastic contamination of sandy beaches of national parks, protected and recreational areas in southern parts of the Baltic Sea
Researchers found microplastic contamination in all 51 surface beach sand samples across seven sites along the southern Baltic Sea, including national park and protected areas, at a mean of 68 items/kg dry weight. Expanded polystyrene fragments were the most common type (~38%), and protected areas did not differ substantially from recreational beaches.
Plastic contamination of sandy beaches along the southern Baltic – a one season field survey results
Researchers surveyed microplastic and macroplastic contamination along the Polish Baltic Sea coast, finding microplastic concentrations of 118–1,382 pieces/kg in beach sand and 0.61–2.76 pieces/dm3 in coastal waters, with sub-1 mm blue fibers dominating across all sites and suggesting a common fibrous source throughout the Polish coastal zone.
Assessment of marine debris on the Belgian Continental Shelf
Researchers assessed marine debris across beach, sea surface, and seafloor compartments of Belgian coastal waters over two consecutive years, finding that plastic items dominated macrodebris at over 95% of all debris by count. Microplastic concentrations were also quantified in all three compartments, revealing consistent contamination across the Belgian Continental Shelf.
Anthropogenic particles in natural sediment sinks: Microplastics accumulation in tributary, beach and lake bottom sediments of Lake Ontario, North America
Researchers found microplastics in tributary, beach, and lake bottom sediments across Lake Ontario and the upper St. Lawrence River, with highest concentrations near urban and industrial areas—reaching up to 28,000 particles per kilogram of sediment near Toronto. The study establishes baseline contamination levels for this major North American freshwater system and warns of risks to bottom-dwelling organisms.
On the probability of ecological risks from microplastics in the Laurentian Great lake
Researchers conducted a probabilistic ecological risk assessment of microplastics in Great Lakes sediments, finding that fiber-shaped microplastics posed the highest risk and that current concentrations may already affect benthic organisms in certain areas.
Plastics in Paradise: Quantifying Microplastics in Lake Champlain Beaches
Researchers quantified and characterized microplastics on Lake Champlain beaches, finding contamination at all sampled sites with fragments and fibers as the dominant particle types. The study documents that even inland freshwater shorelines accumulate significant microplastic loads over time.
A comparative review of microplastics in lake systems from different countries and regions
Researchers reviewed microplastic contamination data from lake systems across multiple countries, finding that abundance, size, and polymer type varied widely by region and identifying land use, population density, and hydrological connectivity as key drivers of lake microplastic levels.
Consistent patterns of debris on South African beaches indicate that industrial pellets and other mesoplastic items mostly derive from local sources.
This study surveyed mesoplastic debris at 82 South African beaches over two decades, finding that industrial plastic pellets and rigid plastic fragments dominated beach litter and were strongly linked to nearby urban and industrial areas rather than distant sources. The findings suggest that local plastic pollution management can be effective because most beach debris originates from regional sources.
Revealing accumulation zones of plastic pellets in sandy beaches
Researchers evaluated plastic pellet accumulation across 13 sandy beaches in São Paulo state, Brazil, using transects and vertical sediment profiles to one meter depth, identifying regional accumulation hotspots near ports and factories and finding that coastal dunes accumulated more pellets than backshores, with most concentrated in the top 40 cm.