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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Spatial distribution patterns and identification of microplastics on intertidal sediments from urban and semi-natural SW Atlantic estuaries
ClearStudy on the Mass Concentration Distributions of Marine Microplastics in Estuaries and Coastal Areas
Researchers characterized the mass concentration distribution of marine microplastics in estuarine and coastal environments, measuring spatial gradients between river mouths and open coastal waters and identifying estuaries as major transition zones for microplastic flux.
Qualitative and quantitative assessment of Microplastic Pollution in waters and sediments of the Ave River estuary (Portugal)
This study assessed microplastic pollution levels and distribution in the Ave River estuary and coastal waters of Portugal, characterizing particle types and concentrations to quantify the plastic load transferred from this heavily impacted river to the marine environment. Results showed the estuary acts as both a sink and a source for microplastics depending on tidal and flow conditions.
Microplastic in two South Carolina Estuaries: Occurrence, distribution, and composition
Microplastics were found throughout intertidal sediments of two developed estuaries in South Carolina, with higher concentrations near urban centers and sewage outfalls. The study provides baseline contamination data for two important US Atlantic coast estuaries and confirms that nearshore estuarine sediments in the southeastern US accumulate significant microplastic pollution.
Transport mechanisms and fate of microplastics in estuarine compartments: A review
This review analyzes how tides, river flow, density, biofouling, and sediment dynamics influence the transport and fate of microplastics in estuaries, identifying these transitional zones as both temporary sinks and conduits for plastic pollution.
Microplastics in coastal sediments from Southern Portuguese shelf waters
Microplastics were found in coastal sediments collected from southern Portuguese shelf waters, with the highest concentrations near river mouths and populated coastal areas. The study provides baseline data for this Atlantic European coastline and reinforces the pattern that proximity to human settlements drives sediment microplastic loading.
The distribution and ecological effects of microplastics in an estuarine ecosystem
Researchers surveyed 22 intertidal sites and found that microplastic abundance, size, and diversity correlated with benthic microalgal communities and sediment biostabilization properties in an estuarine ecosystem.
Distribution patterns of microplastics in subtidal sediments from the Sado river estuary and the Arrábida marine park, Portugal
Researchers conducted a spatiotemporal investigation of microplastic distribution in subtidal sediments at 15 sites across the Sado River estuary and Arrábida Marine Park in Portugal, assessing particle availability for benthic feeders and identifying potential pollution sources. The study found microplastics concentrated in areas influenced by coastal urban centers and multiple human activities, highlighting sediment as an important reservoir.
Distribution Patterns of Microplastics in Seawater Surface at a Portuguese Estuary and Marine Park
This study measured microplastic levels in surface seawater at a Portuguese estuary and marine park, finding contamination at all sites with the highest levels near populated areas. Floating microplastics accumulate in coastal feeding zones used by filter feeders and other marine organisms, making these areas ecological hotspots for plastic exposure.
Caracterização de microplásticos em amostras marinhas e estuarinas
This study characterized microplastics collected from marine and estuarine samples in Brazil, classifying them by size, shape, and polymer type. The findings document the widespread presence of microplastic contamination in these coastal ecosystems and provide baseline data for future monitoring.
Microplastics in sediments from an interconnected river-estuary region
A study of sediments from two rivers and their connecting estuary in northeastern China found 19 polymer types in microplastics, with film and fragment shapes dominant and higher concentrations in the rivers than the estuary. The results support the hypothesis that estuaries partially trap microplastics before they reach the sea.
Temporal patterns in the abundance, type and composition of microplastics on the coast of the Río de la Plata estuary
Researchers monitored microplastic abundance, type, and composition monthly for one year in water and intertidal sediment at an urbanized site on the Río de la Plata estuary in Argentina, finding temporal patterns linked to environmental factors including river flow and seasonal variation.
Survey on Microplastics and Macroscopic Floating Garbage in River, Coasts, and Estuary in the Eastern Part of Takamatsu City, Japan
Researchers surveyed microplastics and macroscopic floating litter in rivers, coasts, and estuaries in eastern Takamatsu City, Japan, finding PE and PP dominated microplastics in both river and coastal environments, and that plastic fragments, bags, and cigarette butts were the most common macro-litter items with distribution influenced by wind and wave conditions.
Towards Characterising Microplastic Abundance, Typology and Retention in Mangrove-Dominated Estuaries
Microplastic pollution levels, morphotype diversity, and polymer composition were compared across four South African estuaries, finding that open estuaries with high surrounding population densities and diverse land use had the highest MP contamination, with microfibres dominating in all systems.
Microplastics pollution in sediments of the Thames and Medway estuaries, UK: Organic matter associations and predominance of polyethylene
Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in sediments along the Thames and Medway estuaries in the UK. They found the highest concentrations in urban London, with polyethylene being the most common polymer type, and microplastic abundance was strongly correlated with organic carbon content in the sediment. The study identifies urbanization and combined sewer overflows as key drivers of microplastic accumulation in these estuarine environments.
Physical Controls on Microplastic Retention in Estuarine Systems: Interactions Between Hydrodynamics, Stratification, Bathymetry, and Particle Properties
This review synthesizes how tidal patterns, river flow, water layering (stratification), estuary shape, and plastic particle properties together determine whether microplastics entering estuaries get trapped in sediments or flushed out to sea. Understanding these physical controls matters because estuaries are critical transition zones — nursery habitats for fish, shellfish, and migratory birds — and knowing where microplastics accumulate helps predict which species and communities face the highest exposure.
Microplastic in three urban estuaries, China
Researchers surveyed three urban estuaries in China and found microplastics throughout, with concentrations and types reflecting the combined influence of surrounding city density, stormwater runoff, and tidal mixing.
Identification of the driving factors of microplastic load and morphology in estuaries for improving monitoring and management strategies: A global meta-analysis
Across 1,477 observations from 124 estuaries worldwide, microplastic abundance averaged 21,342 items/m3 in water and 1,313 items/kg in sediment, with about 69-86% of particles smaller than 1 mm. Population density and mismanaged plastic waste drove water contamination, while 47% of estuarine water and 73% of sediment samples reached the highest potential ecological risk category.
Distribution and occurrence of microplastics in estuaries of São José Bay, Brazilian equatorial margin
Researchers examined the distribution and occurrence of microplastics in estuaries of São José Bay on the Brazilian equatorial margin, characterizing MP abundance, morphology, and polymer composition across multiple sampling sites.
Seasonal Abundance and Distribution Patterns of Microplastics in the Lis River, Portugal
Researchers investigated seasonal microplastic abundance and distribution in Portugal's Lis River Basin across nine sites, finding fibres and fragments dominated in both water and sediment, with polyethylene the most common polymer in water. Population density, plastic processing companies, and meteorological factors were all associated with seasonal variation in microplastic patterns.
The fate of plastic litter within estuarine compartments: An overview of current knowledge for the transboundary issue to guide future assessments
Researchers reviewed global knowledge on plastic fate within estuaries and found plastic concentrations reaching thousands of items per cubic meter in water and sediment, while identifying major methodological gaps — particularly that microfibers are consistently undersampled and that studies rarely account for ecological trophic gradients or the physicochemical dynamics driving plastic distribution and bioavailability.
Sampling microplastics in estuarine environments: lessons learned from suspended sediment dynamics and perspectives.
This paper reviews the challenges of sampling microplastics in estuaries, where tidal flows and suspended sediment make collection methods complex and inconsistent. The authors call for standardized protocols that account for the unique dynamics of estuarine environments to improve comparability across studies.
Plastic pollution in five urban estuaries of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Researchers measured microplastic levels in sediment, surface water, and beach sand across five estuaries near Durban, South Africa, finding that an urban harbor area (Bayhead) had by far the highest concentrations and that plastic types shifted from fragments near the city to fiber dominance in more distant estuaries, confirming estuaries as conduits for terrestrial plastic entering the ocean.
Contamination and characterization of microplastics in different sediments of the river estuaries (the inner Gulf of Thailand)
Researchers measured microplastic contamination in river estuary sediments in the inner Gulf of Thailand, finding widespread contamination at all sites. The study characterizes the types and abundance of microplastics in a highly trafficked coastal region of Southeast Asia.
Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments: Insights into microplastic accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries
Researchers surveyed microplastic abundance in beach sediments across seven locations in Mobile Bay, a northern Gulf of Mexico estuary. The study found microplastics were ubiquitous at concentrations 66 to 253 times higher than reported for the open ocean, with polypropylene and polyethylene being the most common polymers, highlighting the extent of microplastic accumulation in estuarine environments.