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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Monitoring of seafloor litter on the Dutch continental shelf : International Bottom Trawl Survey 2021, Dutch Beam Trawl Survey 2020
ClearMonitoring of seafloor litter on the Dutch continental shelf : International Bottom Trawl Survey 2022, Dutch Beam Trawl Survey 2021
This monitoring report presents data on seafloor plastic litter collected on the Dutch continental shelf during international bottom trawl surveys. Tracking marine litter on the seafloor is a required component of EU efforts to assess and improve ocean environmental quality under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.
Monitoring of seafloor litter on the Dutch Continental Shelf : International Bottom Trawl Survey 2023, Dutch Beam Trawl Survey 2022
Researchers monitored seafloor litter on the Dutch Continental Shelf using the International Bottom Trawl Survey and Beam Trawl Survey, documenting the abundance, composition, and distribution of macro litter as part of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive monitoring program.
Monitoring of seafloor litter on the Dutch continental shelf : International Bottom Trawl Survey 2025, Dutch Beam Trawl Survey 2024
Dutch researchers monitoring seafloor litter on the continental shelf as part of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive reported on the abundance, composition, and distribution of macro litter collected during bottom trawl surveys in 2024–2025.
Seabed litter distribution in the high seas of the Flemish Pass area (NW Atlantic)
Seabed litter surveys of the Flemish Pass in the northwest Atlantic Ocean found debris in 8.3% of bottom trawl hauls at depths from 104 to 1478 meters. The study provides baseline data on deep-sea litter in an international fisheries management area, with plastic being the most commonly encountered material.
Impacts of Bottom Trawling and Litter on the Seabed in Norwegian Waters
This study assessed the extent of bottom trawling and seafloor litter in Norwegian waters, finding that trawling affects large areas and that plastic litter is widespread on the seabed. Seafloor debris in the Arctic underscores the global reach of plastic pollution, even in heavily regulated, remote fishing areas.
Marine Litter Distribution and Density in European Seas, from the Shelves to Deep Basins
Researchers mapped marine litter distribution and density across European seas — from shallow shelves to deep basins — finding litter present at all depths and in all regions surveyed, with deep-sea areas accumulating significant loads.
Marine Litter, Plastic, and Microplastics on the Seafloor
This review examines marine litter, plastic debris, and microplastics accumulating on the seafloor from intertidal zones to hadal depths, emphasizing that the seafloor is a major long-term sink for plastics denser than seawater. It discusses monitoring challenges across different seabed types and highlights abandoned fishing gear as a key seafloor litter component that entangles marine fauna.
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.
Spatial and temporal trends of marine litter in the Spanish Mediterranean seafloor
Researchers analyzed 11 years of MEDITS trawl survey data to map marine litter on the Spanish Mediterranean seafloor, finding plastics were the most abundant litter by weight, that densities varied significantly by region, and that overall litter levels remained stable or slightly decreased over the study period.
The Seafloor Marine Debris on the North and the Central Part Ofthe Moroccan Atlantic Waters from Tangier (35° n) to Sidi Ifni (29° n): Composition, Abundance, Spatial Distribution, Sources and Movement
Researchers used trawl surveys to map marine debris on the seafloor along 1,300 km of Morocco's Atlantic coast, documenting the composition, abundance, and distribution of debris from bottom trawling surveys. Plastic waste dominated the debris, with findings providing baseline data on seafloor plastic pollution in a heavily fished and under-studied region.
Status and future recommendations for recording and monitoring litter on the Arctic seafloor
This paper reviews the status of marine litter monitoring on the Arctic seafloor and calls for standardized guidelines across regions. Arctic litter is influenced by currents from the Atlantic and Pacific, making international coordination essential. The authors recommend harmonized monitoring protocols to detect spatial and temporal trends in seafloor debris.
The quest for seafloor macrolitter: a critical review of background knowledge, current methods and future prospects
This critical review examined knowledge, current practices, and challenges in studying macrolitter on the seafloor, the least-investigated sink for marine debris. The seafloor covers 70% of Earth's surface and receives substantial plastic input, yet most of it lies in the deep sea where monitoring is technically difficult and expensive.
Integrated approach for marine litter pollution assessment in the southern Tyrrhenian Sea: Information from bottom-trawl fishing and plastic ingestion in deep-sea fish.
This study combined bottom-trawl fishing data with analysis of plastic ingestion in deep-sea fish from the southern Tyrrhenian Sea to assess seafloor litter pollution. Plastic was the most abundant litter type on the seafloor, and plastic fragments were found in fish digestive tracts, demonstrating that microplastic contamination extends to deep-sea ecosystems and enters the food web.
Contribution to the assessment of marine litter in the North Moroccan Atlantic
Researchers trawled the seafloor along the North Moroccan Atlantic coast and found marine litter at half of 60 sampling stations, with plastic making up 81% of all waste collected. Litter concentrated mainly along the Mehdia–El Jadida corridor, and fishing gear was identified as the primary source. This study provides baseline data for an understudied Atlantic coast and underscores how fishing activities contribute heavily to seafloor plastic pollution even in areas with relatively low human population density.
LIFTING THE VEIL ON MARINE LITTER - Towards a better understanding of Marine Litter in the North Atlantic: Method Development, Occurrence and Impacts
This PhD thesis addressed several gaps in understanding marine litter and microplastics in the North-East Atlantic, developing standardized monitoring methods and conducting toxicity experiments on marine species. The study found no significant trend in seafloor litter around the UK over 25 years but confirmed that even environmental-level microplastic concentrations cause chronic harm to marine organisms.
What, where, and when: Spatial-temporal distribution of macro-litter on the seafloor of the western and central Mediterranean sea
Using fishery-independent monitoring data from the western Mediterranean, this study characterized the spatial and temporal distribution of macro-litter on the seafloor, identifying accumulation hotspots to guide marine litter management efforts.
Testing a monitoring strategy for floating microlitter with manta-trawl sampling in Danish coastal waters
This Danish monitoring project developed and tested a coastal sampling strategy for floating microplastics using manta-trawls at beach litter monitoring sites. The study found relatively low microplastic concentrations in Danish marine surface waters, providing baseline data and an evaluated monitoring protocol for ongoing national microplastic surveillance.
Deep-sea litter: a comparison of seamounts, banks and a ridge in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans reveals both environmental and anthropogenic factors impact accumulation and composition
Researchers compared deep-sea litter accumulation on seamounts, banks, and a ridge across the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, finding that both environmental factors — such as current patterns and depth — and anthropogenic factors — including proximity to shipping lanes and fishing activity — influenced litter abundance and composition. Plastic items dominated at all sites, with fishing-related debris particularly prominent on seamounts.
A large-scale study of microplastic abundance in sediment cores from the UK continental shelf and slope
Microplastic abundance was surveyed in sediment cores from three areas of the UK continental shelf, establishing a baseline pollution profile across contrasting coastal environments. Concentrations varied considerably by location and depth, with the data providing a foundation for future risk assessments of seafloor contamination.
A spatial and temporal assessment of microplastics in seafloor sediments: A case study for the UK
This study assessed microplastic occurrence and abundance in UK seafloor sediments across spatial and temporal scales, supporting the development of common monitoring indicators for regional marine frameworks like OSPAR.
The role of oceanographic processes and sedimentological settings on the deposition of microplastics in marine sediment: Icelandic waters
Researchers analyzed microplastics from marine sediment cores collected at eight sites on the Iceland continental shelf, examining how oceanographic processes and sedimentological settings influence the deposition and distribution of microplastic debris on the seafloor.
Microplastics Baseline Surveys at the Water Surface and in Sediments of the North-East Atlantic
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations at the sea surface and in sediments across the southern North Sea and northwestern Europe, finding highly variable but widespread contamination. Sediments contained far higher concentrations than surface waters, confirming that the seafloor acts as a major sink for microplastic pollution.
Baseline study of the distribution of marine debris on soft-bottom habitats associated with trawling grounds in the northern Mediterranean
Researchers surveyed marine debris on soft seafloor habitats associated with trawling grounds across four areas of the northern Mediterranean, finding geographic variation in litter density and composition. The study also examined how organisms colonize plastic items on the seafloor, contributing to understanding of plastic as an artificial substrate in benthic ecosystems.
Presence and characteristics of plastics and microplastics on the seabed of the western English Channel
Researchers characterised plastic litter and microplastics trawled from the seafloor of the western English Channel using optical and spectroscopic techniques, classifying 90 plastic samples dominated by food and drink packaging with evidence of varying degrees of weathering and calcareous biofouling. The study addresses significant knowledge gaps about the presence, distribution, origins, and characteristics of plastic debris on the ocean floor, finding negative-buoyancy polymers such as polyamide and PET predominating among the seafloor plastics.