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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to The use of emerging techniques to understand seagrass ecosystems: Case studies using Posidonia oceanica in the Eastern Aegean
ClearThe use of remote sensing for monitoring Posidonia oceanica and Marine Protected Areas: A systemic review
This systematic review examines how remote sensing technologies have been used to monitor Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows and marine protected areas in the Mediterranean. Healthy seagrass beds are ecologically significant as they can trap microplastics in their sediments and are sensitive to pollution stress.
The power of Posidonia oceanica meadows to retain microplastics and the consequences on associated macrofaunal benthic communities
Researchers investigated how Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows accumulate microplastics in coastal sediments and the consequences for associated marine communities. The study found differences in microplastic abundance and composition at various depths and between vegetated and unvegetated sites, suggesting that seagrass beds may act as sinks for microplastic pollution with potential impacts on benthic organisms.
Towards Underwater Macroplastic Monitoring Using Echo Sounding
Researchers investigated using echo sounding (sonar) technology to detect and monitor underwater macroplastics in rivers and coastal environments, presenting this acoustic approach as a promising tool for measuring submerged plastic loads that surface trawling misses.
Posidonia oceanica wrack intercepts plastic debris: First evaluated evidence on Maltese beaches
Researchers measured plastic debris trapped within deposits of Posidonia oceanica seagrass wrack on three Maltese beaches, finding up to 102 plastic items per square meter and documenting the seagrass mats as useful indicators of coastal plastic pollution — including micro-, meso-, and macroplastics.
Seagrass under siege: Investigating microplastic effects on seagrass ecosystems
Researchers reviewed the effects of microplastics on seagrass meadows, which are ecologically critical habitats that also trap and accumulate particulate matter. Evidence suggests microplastics can impair seagrass growth, root function, and associated fauna in these vulnerable ecosystems.
High-Resolution Seagrass Species Mapping and Propeller Scars Detection in Tanjung Benoa, Bali through UAV Imagery
This paper is not directly about microplastics; it maps seagrass species distribution and propeller scar damage in Bali's coastal waters using drone imagery, demonstrating that UAV remote sensing can achieve high-accuracy seagrass habitat monitoring.
Characterization of microplastic pollution along the North Catalan coast: distribution and impacts
Researchers characterized microplastic pollution distribution and impacts along the North Catalan coast, examining vulnerable habitats including Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows, sandy bottoms, and pelagic ecosystems to assess threats to marine biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and ecosystem services.
Trapping of microplastics and other anthropogenic particles in seagrass beds: Ubiquity across a vertical and horizontal sampling gradient
Researchers examined how seagrass beds trap microplastics and other anthropogenic particles by sampling along a vegetation cover gradient from dense beds to less vegetated patches. The study found that seagrass vegetation enhances the accumulation of plastic debris in both sediment and among plant structures. Evidence indicates that seagrass ecosystems act as significant sinks for microplastic pollution, with implications for the organisms that depend on these habitats.
Detection and quantification of microplastics in Posidonia oceanica banquettes in the Gulf of Gabes, Tunisia
This Tunisian study used the seagrass Posidonia oceanica as a natural microplastic trap in the Gulf of Gabes, finding pellets, threads, and fragments of polyethylene, polystyrene, and phthalate plasticizers accumulated in the leaves. Seagrass meadows appear to function as significant sinks for microplastics, both trapping them at the surface and potentially burying them in sediments through leaf fall. This matters because P. oceanica meadows are important coastal ecosystems, and their contamination with microplastics and plasticizers threatens the organisms that depend on them.
The role of seagrass meadows in the coastal trapping of litter
Researchers studied how seagrass meadows trap and accumulate non-floating marine litter, including microplastics, across six Posidonia oceanica meadows. The study found that litter accumulated mainly at the landside edge of the meadow, with macro-litter concentrations increasing threefold after heavy rainfall, suggesting seagrass plays an important role in coastal litter dynamics.
A review of microplastic impacts on seagrasses, epiphytes, and associated sediment communities
This review synthesizes research on microplastic accumulation in seagrass ecosystems, examining effects on seagrass plants, epiphytic communities, and associated sediment biota. The authors identify seagrass meadows as both sinks for microplastics and potentially sensitive ecosystems where plastic contamination may disrupt complex ecological relationships.
Microplastics in the seagrass ecosystems: A critical review
This review critically assessed microplastic contamination in seagrass ecosystems worldwide, finding that these nearshore habitats accumulate significant plastic pollution due to their proximity to human activities and the trapping effect of submerged vegetation.
Seagrass beds reveal high abundance of microplastic in sediments: A case study in the Baltic Sea
Seagrass bed sediments in the Baltic Sea were found to harbor significantly higher microplastic concentrations than surrounding bare sediments, indicating that seagrass canopies trap and accumulate microplastics and may be underappreciated hotspots of contamination.
The Role of Posidonia oceanica Spheroids in Assessing Microplastic Contamination in Coastal Ecosystems
Researchers collected 1,300 Posidonia oceanica spheroids along the Italian coast and found that about 35% contained plastic debris, with nearly half of the items classified as microplastics. The most common polymers were nylon and PET, and contamination levels correlated with proximity to wastewater treatment plants. The study suggests that these seagrass spheroids could serve as useful bioindicators for monitoring microplastic pollution in coastal ecosystems.
Seagrass beds acting as a trap of microplastics - Emerging hotspot in the coastal region?
Seagrass beds in coastal waters were found to trap and accumulate microplastics at higher concentrations than surrounding unvegetated sediments, acting as effective sinks for plastic particles due to their dense canopy structure. This positions seagrass meadows as emerging hotspots of microplastic contamination in coastal ecosystems.
Seagrass under siege: Investigating microplastic effects on seagrass ecosystems
Researchers reviewed the current evidence for microplastic effects on seagrass meadows, covering physical, chemical, and biological mechanisms of harm. The review found that microplastics impair seagrass photosynthesis, root function, and associated fauna, threatening these ecologically critical coastal habitats.
A temporal record of microplastic pollution in Mediterranean seagrass soils
Lead-dated sediment cores from Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows along the Spanish Mediterranean coast showed that microplastic accumulation began around the 1950s–1960s and has increased since, with higher concentrations near agricultural plastic greenhouse areas.
Multidisciplinary Approach for Assessment and Management of Posidonia Oceanica Banquettes
Researchers used a multidisciplinary approach to assess microplastic contamination within Posidonia oceanica banquettes — dead leaf accumulations along Mediterranean shores — and evaluated their ecological significance and management. MPs were found throughout the banquettes, and the study argued these habitats should be preserved rather than removed for beach aesthetics.
The role of seagrass meadows in the accumulation of microplastics: Insights from a South African estuary
Researchers investigated whether seagrass meadows accumulate microplastics in a South African estuary, finding no significant difference in microplastic abundance between seagrass sediments and adjacent bare sediments at the small spatial scale studied.
The role of seagrass meadows (Posidonia oceanica) as microplastics sink and vector to benthic food webs
Researchers investigated how Posidonia oceanica seagrass meadows trap and potentially transfer microplastics through marine food webs. The study found that the often-overlooked rhizome structures accumulated over twice as many microplastics as leaves, and while vegetated sediments contained fewer microplastics than bare seabed, the overall trapping capacity increases substantially when the meadow's full three-dimensional structure is considered.
A critical synthesis of seagrass meadows as microplastic sinks: Current trends and research gaps
This systematic review of 84 studies finds that seagrass meadows act as natural traps for microplastics, accumulating higher concentrations in their sediments than surrounding areas. While this filtering role may protect open waters, it also means these important coastal ecosystems are bearing a disproportionate burden of plastic pollution.
A systematic review to assess current surface water and sediment microplastic sampling practices in seagrass and mangrove ecosystems
This systematic review examines how researchers collect and measure microplastic contamination in seagrass beds and mangrove ecosystems. These coastal habitats act as traps for microplastics, and since they also serve as nursery grounds for the fish and shellfish we eat, understanding contamination levels there is important for assessing seafood safety.
Factors influencing microplastic abundances in the sediments of a seagrass-dominated tropical atoll
Researchers investigated factors controlling microplastic abundance in sediments of a seagrass-dominated tropical atoll. They found that seagrass density, water flow patterns, and proximity to human settlements all influenced microplastic accumulation, with denser seagrass meadows trapping more particles in their sediments. The study raises concerns that microplastic buildup in seagrass ecosystems could threaten the ecological services these habitats provide, including carbon storage and biodiversity support.
Plastic Pollution as a Driver of Seagrass Ecosystem Degradation: a Systematic Review of Impacts and Mitigation Approaches
This systematic review examines how plastic pollution threatens seagrass ecosystems, which are vital for carbon storage, coastal protection, and marine biodiversity. Microplastics and larger debris smother seagrass beds, block light, and introduce harmful chemicals into sediments. Losing these habitats has cascading effects on fish populations and the communities that depend on healthy coastal waters.