Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Distribution and retention of microplastics in plantation mangrove forest sediments

Researchers investigated the spatial distribution and retention of microplastics in sediments of plantation mangrove forests, finding that mangrove plantations act as effective sinks for microplastics transported by ocean tides, with particle size and shape influencing where plastics accumulate within the forest structure.

2022 Chemosphere 24 citations
Article Tier 2

Vertical distribution of microplastics in mangrove sediment in a tropical estuarine region.

Researchers characterized vertical microplastic distribution in sediment cores from mangrove fringe sites in the Piraque-Acu and Piraque-Mirim estuary in eastern Brazil, finding concentrations ranging from 80 to 960 items per kg dry weight using a saline flotation and vacuum filtration protocol.

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

Vertical distribution of microplastics in mangrove sediment in a tropical estuarine region.

Researchers characterized vertical microplastic distribution in sediment cores from mangrove fringe sites in the Piraque-Acu and Piraque-Mirim estuary in eastern Brazil, finding concentrations ranging from 80 to 960 items per kg dry weight using a saline flotation and vacuum filtration protocol.

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

Mangroves as unique but understudied traps for anthropogenic marine debris: A review of present information and the way forward

This review examined mangroves as understudied traps for anthropogenic marine debris, noting that 18 of the top 20 plastic-emitting rivers are associated with mangrove coastlines. Mangroves efficiently accumulate debris through their dense root structures, yet are rarely included in coastal plastic monitoring programs.

2020 Environmental Pollution 140 citations
Article Tier 2

How mangrove plants affect microplastic distribution in sediments of coastal wetlands: Case study in Shenzhen Bay, South China

The effect of different mangrove plant species on microplastic distribution in coastal wetland sediments was investigated, finding that plant species significantly influenced where microplastics accumulated. The study suggests that mangrove root and canopy structures create preferential zones for microplastic retention in coastal sediments.

2020 The Science of The Total Environment 159 citations
Article Tier 2

Role of mangrove forest in interception of microplastics (MPs): Challenges, progress, and prospects

This review examines how mangrove forests intercept and accumulate microplastics from terrestrial, marine, and atmospheric sources, identifying knowledge gaps in understanding the mechanisms, ecological impacts, and long-term fate of trapped microplastics in mangrove ecosystems.

2022 Journal of Hazardous Materials 86 citations
Article Tier 2

Distinct microplastics abundance variation in root-associated sediments revealed the underestimation of mangrove microplastics pollution

This study characterized how microplastic abundance varies across root hair, rhizosphere, and non-rhizosphere zones in mangrove sediments, finding that root structures significantly influence microplastic trapping and migration patterns within mangrove ecosystems.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 22 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Contamination in Water, Sediment, and Biota in Mangrove Forests

This review synthesized research on microplastic contamination in mangrove forest water, sediment, and biota, finding that mangroves act as both sinks and potential sources of microplastics due to their complex hydrodynamics, with ecotoxicological data on mangrove-specific organisms remaining limited.

2025
Article Tier 2

Characteristics and distribution of microplastics in the coastal mangrove sediments of China

A survey of mangrove sediments along China's coast found microplastics were ubiquitous, with concentrations and polymer types varying by proximity to human activity and hydrological conditions. The study shows that mangrove forests, which provide critical coastal ecosystem services, are accumulating significant quantities of plastic pollution.

2019 The Science of The Total Environment 213 citations
Article Tier 2

New insights into sink-source dynamics of mangrove for microplastics: Quantitative evidences from field observation and resuspension simulation

Researchers investigated the sink-source dynamics of mangrove ecosystems for microplastics through field observations and resuspension simulation experiments, finding that sediment microplastic abundance increased substantially from mudflats into mangrove forest. Storm surges were identified as the main driver of vertical microplastic displacement in sediments, while particle shape, color, and size governed resuspension behavior.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials
Article Tier 2

Depth Profiles of Microplastic in Sediment Cores in the Mangrove Area of Kuala Gula Mangrove, Malaysia

Researchers profiled microplastic abundance with depth in sediment cores from the Kuala Gula Mangrove in Malaysia, finding 25-130 items per kg dry weight and highest concentrations near rivermouth sites, demonstrating that mangrove sediments are significant microplastic sinks.

2023 Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 22 citations
Article Tier 2

Impact of mangrove forest structure and landscape on macroplastics capture

Researchers surveyed macroplastic accumulation across seven mangrove forests in the Philippines, finding 1.1 items per square meter on average with the highest abundance at landward zones and near river mouths. Mangrove biomass and root structure were positively correlated with plastic capture, confirming that mangrove structural complexity enhances their ability to trap land-derived plastic litter.

2023 Marine Pollution Bulletin 22 citations
Article Tier 2

Characterization, source, and retention of microplastic in sandy beaches and mangrove wetlands of the Qinzhou Bay, China

Researchers characterized microplastics in sediments from both sandy beaches and mangrove wetlands in Qinzhou Bay, southern China, finding higher abundances in mangrove sediments than beach sediments due to the trapping function of root systems. The study demonstrates that mangroves act as effective sinks for microplastic pollution in coastal zones.

2018 Marine Pollution Bulletin 296 citations
Article Tier 2

Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in the mangrove sediment of the semi-enclosed Maowei Sea of the south China sea: New implications for location, rhizosphere, and sediment compositions

Microplastics were widespread in mangrove sediments of the semi-enclosed Maowei Sea in southern China, with concentrations influenced by location within the mangrove, proximity to roots, and sediment composition. The study provides new insight into how mangrove ecosystems trap and accumulate microplastics, raising concerns for the health of these ecologically important coastal habitats.

2018 Environmental Pollution 207 citations
Article Tier 2

Are mangrove ecosystems plastic accumulation zones?

Researchers monitored macroplastic and microplastic pollution across nine mangrove sites on Cebu Island, Philippines, for over a year using paired removal and reference plots, finding that mangrove ecosystems function as significant plastic accumulation zones with differing dynamics between landward and seaward zones.

2025 The Science of The Total Environment
Article Tier 2

Ecological interception effect of mangroves on microplastics

Researchers found that mangroves act as an ecological barrier intercepting microplastics, with MP abundance decreasing from river inputs toward the ocean, demonstrating the role of mangrove ecosystems in filtering plastic pollution before it reaches open waters.

2021 Journal of Hazardous Materials 121 citations
Article Tier 2

Current status and trends of research on microplastic fugacity characteristics and pollution levels in mangrove wetlands

This systematic literature review analyzed the distribution, characteristics, and pollution levels of microplastics in mangrove wetlands globally, finding that mangroves act as significant traps for land-based plastics before they reach the open ocean. Fiber morphologies and polymer types reflected terrestrial sources, and microplastic density was highest near urban river inputs.

2022 Frontiers in Environmental Science 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution and retention efficiency of micro- and mesoplastics and heavy metals in mangrove, saltmarsh and cordgrass habitats along a subtropical coast.

Researchers evaluated micro- and mesoplastic contamination and heavy metal retention in mangrove, invasive Kikuyu grass, and salt marsh coastal habitats. Mangroves showed the highest retention efficiency for both plastics and heavy metals, underscoring their critical role as pollution buffers in coastal ecosystems.

2025 Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)
Meta Analysis Tier 1

Identifying patterns of microplastic accumulation in coastal vegetated habitats: A systematic review and meta-analysis

A meta-analysis of microplastic accumulation in coastal vegetated habitats found that mangroves have the highest microplastic concentrations compared to saltmarshes and seagrass beds, especially near urban centers and fishing zones. Nearly 40% of comparisons showed higher microplastic accumulation in vegetated versus unvegetated sites, with degraded habitats accumulating more plastics.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Exponential increase of plastic burial in mangrove sediments as a major plastic sink

This study demonstrated that mangrove sediments are accumulating plastic at an exponential rate, sequestering plastics efficiently due to high sediment accretion rates in these coastal forests. The finding positions mangroves as a major long-term plastic sink that may help explain why less plastic is found in ocean surface waters than is estimated to enter the sea.

2020 Science Advances 284 citations
Article Tier 2

Widespread microplastic pollution in mangrove soils of Todos os Santos Bay, northern Brazil

Researchers found widespread microplastic pollution in mangrove soils around Todos os Santos Bay in Brazil, detecting contamination at multiple depths and distances from the tidal area, highlighting mangroves as previously overlooked sinks for microplastic accumulation.

2022 Environmental Research 91 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution, characteristics, and human exposure to microplastics in mangroves within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area

Researchers mapped microplastic distribution across three mangroves in the Greater Bay Area of southern China, finding concentrations up to 1,600 particles per kilogram with higher levels at forest fringes, and assessed potential human exposure pathways.

2022 Marine Pollution Bulletin 24 citations
Article Tier 2

The distribution, characteristics and ecological risks of microplastics in the mangroves of Southern China

Microplastics were found to be widespread in mangrove sediments across Southern China, with higher concentrations in areas closer to urban development and aquaculture. The study highlights mangroves as accumulation zones for microplastic pollution, which could threaten these ecologically important coastal ecosystems.

2019 The Science of The Total Environment 339 citations
Article Tier 2

Anthropogenic marine debris and its dynamics across peri-urban and urban mangroves on Penang Island, Malaysia

Researchers tracked the accumulation of marine debris in urban and semi-urban mangroves on Penang Island, Malaysia, finding that debris abundance varied with season, tidal patterns, and proximity to urban areas. Mangroves act as debris traps, concentrating plastic waste including microplastics that filter through their root systems.

2019 18 citations