Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Microplastics in ports worldwide: Environmental concerns or overestimated pollution levels?

This review analyzed microplastic pollution data from 78 ports worldwide and found that port environments can harbor significant concentrations of microplastics in water, sediment, and marine life. About 23% of studied ports had microplastic levels in sediment above the threshold predicted to cause ecological harm. Since ports are connected to fisheries and coastal communities, this pollution could affect both marine ecosystems and the seafood supply chain.

2024 Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Correction to: Microplastics in seawater: sampling strategies, laboratory methodologies, and identification techniques applied to port environment

This is a correction notice for a previously published paper on microplastic sampling and analysis methods in seawater from port environments. Methodological consistency is important for accurate tracking of microplastic contamination in high-traffic coastal areas.

2020 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 49 citations
Article Tier 2

A Review on Microplastics in Offshore and Nearshore Waters

This short review covered sampling and analytical techniques used to quantify microplastics in nearshore and offshore ocean waters, providing an overview of published distribution data across different oceans and coastal zones to guide standardization of marine microplastic monitoring.

2025 Journal of Water Resource and Protection 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Methods for sampling, processing, identification,and quantification of microplastics in the marine environment

This paper reviews and compares the various methods used to collect, process, identify, and quantify microplastics across different environmental samples. It highlights the lack of standardized protocols as a major obstacle to comparing results across studies and calls for methodological harmonization.

2020 Oceanography in Japan 12 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in a Marine Environment: Review of Methods for Sampling, Processing, and Analyzing Microplastics in Water, Bottom Sediments, and Coastal Deposits

This review briefly describes the principal approaches, methods, and procedures for sampling and analysing microplastics in marine environments including water columns, bottom sediments, and coastal deposits. Researchers outline key considerations for each environmental matrix to support consistent and comparable microplastic monitoring.

2018 Oceanology 131 citations
Article Tier 2

Research vessel survey & assessment of surface marine microplastics: a comparative study between international water and the united arab emirates

Researchers conducted ship-based surveys to assess the diversity and abundance of microplastics in surface seawater, comparing results across different oceanic regions and collection methods. The study identified significant variability in microplastic concentrations related to proximity to land and shipping routes.

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

Microplastics in Harbour Seawaters: A Case Study in the Port of Gdynia, Baltic Sea

Microplastics were measured in five basins of the Port of Gdynia in the Baltic Sea across four seasons, finding concentrations of 0.082-0.524 mg per cubic meter, with polyolefins dominant and fragments and fibres the most common shapes in harbour surface waters.

2023 Sustainability 21 citations
Meta Analysis Tier 1

Microplastic Pollution and Monitoring in Seawater and Harbor Environments: A Meta-Analysis and Review

This meta-analysis reviews microplastic pollution levels in seawater and harbors worldwide, finding that contamination is widespread and persistent. The research matters for human health because marine microplastics enter the food chain through fish and shellfish, representing a significant route of exposure for seafood consumers.

2023 Sustainability 43 citations
Article Tier 2

Monitoring and Assessment of Microplastic Pollution in Coastal Zones: Sampling Methods and Spatial Distribution Characteristics

This review examines sampling methods and spatial distribution characteristics of microplastic pollution in coastal zones, synthesizing approaches for monitoring these key environmental interfaces. Researchers found that coastal zones serve as major sinks and dispersal areas for microplastics, with sampling methodology significantly influencing reported concentrations and distribution patterns.

2025
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in the marine waters and sediments of Hong Kong

Seasonal surveys of surface water and sediments across four coastal locations in Hong Kong found microplastics at all sites, with the highest concentrations in the most urbanized harbor areas. This first comprehensive study of Hong Kong coastal waters reveals that even heavily trafficked port environments accumulate large quantities of microplastic pollution.

2016 Marine Pollution Bulletin 355 citations
Article Tier 2

Quantitative Analysis of Urban Microplastic Dissemination and Accumulation in Marine Ecosystems: Pathways, Processes, and Impacts

Researchers used water and sediment sampling across urban, riverine, and marine environments to quantify microplastic pathways from cities into marine ecosystems, finding the highest concentrations in urban areas linked to industrial activity and poor waste management. Polyethylene, polypropylene, and PET were the most common polymer types, with seasonal peaks in concentration tracking periods of high rainfall and urban runoff.

2024 Research Square (Research Square)
Article Tier 2

Progress on microplastics pollution and its ecological effects in the coastal environment

This review systematically summarizes a decade of research on microplastic pollution and its ecological effects in coastal environments worldwide, identifying persistent technical challenges in sampling standardization, particle identification, and ecological impact assessment. Researchers highlight the need for unified methodologies to better understand the sources, fate, and biological consequences of coastal microplastic contamination.

2015 Chinese Science Bulletin (Chinese Version) 29 citations
Article Tier 2

A field and laboratory manual for sampling, processing and reporting microplastics in coastal and marine environments

This paper presents a comprehensive, standardized field and laboratory guideline for sampling, processing, and reporting microplastics in coastal and marine environments, developed through international collaboration. The harmonized protocols aim to improve comparability of data across global monitoring programmes.

2025 Frontiers in Marine Science 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Maritime ports and beach management as sources of coastal macro-, meso-, and microplastic pollution

Researchers investigated macro-, meso-, and microplastic distribution along the Asturian coast of Spain, identifying maritime ports and beach management practices as significant sources of coastal plastic pollution across multiple size fractions.

2021 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 47 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics monitoring in mussels and water from the port of sines, portugal

Researchers quantified microplastic pollution in mussels and seawater from the Port of Sines, the main Atlantic-facing port in Portugal, assessing contamination levels in a heavily used industrial maritime setting. Microplastics were detected in both water and mussel tissue, with port activity identified as a localized source of elevated contamination.

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

Estimating global marine surface microplastic abundance: systematic literature review

Researchers conducted a systematic literature review to estimate global marine surface microplastic abundance, compiling data from studies worldwide to produce abundance maps. The study found significant variation in microplastic concentrations across different ocean regions, providing a broader picture of the scale and distribution of marine microplastic pollution.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 61 citations
Article Tier 2

Superimposed microplastic pollution in a coastal metropolis

A comprehensive characterization of microplastic pollution sources, distribution, and accumulation in a coastal metropolis found multiple overlapping pathways contributing to marine contamination, from urban runoff to wastewater discharge. The study emphasizes that urban coastal cities are both major sources and sinks of microplastic pollution.

2019 Water Research 226 citations
Article Tier 2

Quantification of Microplastics in North-Western Mediterranean Harbors: Seasonality and Biofilm-Related Metallic Contaminants

Scientists measured microplastic concentrations in three Mediterranean harbors across seasons, finding higher levels in summer (coinciding with peak boating activity) and detecting heavy metals associated with plastic biofilms. Harbors are identified as significant hotspots for microplastic pollution that spreads into surrounding coastal waters.

2021 Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 24 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics monitoring in mussels and water from the port of sines, portugal

Researchers monitored microplastic contamination in mussels and seawater at the Port of Sines, Portugal's main Atlantic commercial port, over time to assess how port activities influence local plastic pollution levels. Mussel tissue and water samples both contained measurable microplastics, with contamination patterns reflecting shipping, maintenance, and industrial activities at the port.

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

A systematic protocol of microplastics analysis from their identification to quantification in water environment: A comprehensive review

This review provides a systematic protocol for identifying and quantifying microplastics in water environments, covering sampling, extraction, and analytical techniques. Researchers evaluate the strengths and limitations of methods including visual sorting, spectroscopic analysis, and thermal techniques for characterizing microplastic pollution. The study emphasizes the urgent need for standardized methodologies to enable meaningful comparisons across different microplastic research studies.

2020 Journal of Hazardous Materials 150 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic pollution in Italian South Adriatic Harbor Areas

Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution at four Italian Adriatic ports and nearby beaches in summer 2021, finding polyethylene as the dominant plastic type. Commercial and fishing ports showed higher contamination than tourism ports, pointing to boat activity and fishing gear as key pollution sources.

2023 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Preliminary study of the source apportionment and diversity of microplastics: Taking floating microplastics in the South China Sea as an example

Researchers developed a source-specific classification system for floating microplastics in the South China Sea, analyzing surface water samples to estimate contributions from different land-based and ocean-based sources. The work advances understanding of which human activities contribute most to microplastic pollution in this heavily trafficked sea.

2018 Environmental Pollution 357 citations
Article Tier 2

Development of cost-effective methodologies to identify and quantify microplastics in seawater samples

Researchers developed low-cost, practical methods for detecting and quantifying microplastics in seawater samples, addressing the lack of standardized protocols. Consistent, affordable detection methods are essential for expanding global microplastic monitoring and enabling meaningful comparisons across different regions and studies.

2020 Ghent University Academic Bibliography (Ghent University) 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in surface coastal waters around Plymouth, UK, and the contribution of boating and shipping activities

Researchers found microplastic concentrations in coastal surface waters around Plymouth, UK ranged from 0.26 to 0.68 particles per cubic meter, with higher levels near urban estuaries and evidence that boating and shipping activities contribute to localized microplastic pollution.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 40 citations