Papers

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Article Tier 2

Distribution and quantity of microplastic on sandy beaches along the northern coast of Taiwan

Researchers conducted the first study of microplastic pollution on Taiwan's beaches, collecting sand from four northern coast sites and recovering 1,097 particles weighing 0.77 g in total, identifying microplastics as ubiquitous and finding a negative relationship between particle size and abundance consistent with fragmentation processes.

2016 Marine Pollution Bulletin 178 citations
Article Tier 2

Seasonal variation of diversity, weathering, and inventory of microplastics in coast and harbor sediments

Seasonal variation in microplastic diversity, weathering degree, and abundance was characterized in coastal and harbor sediments along the southwestern coast of Taiwan, finding harbor sites more contaminated than coastal areas and summer monsoon rains driving seasonal fluctuations.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 80 citations
Article Tier 2

Two-dimensional distribution and abundance of micro- and mesoplastic pollution in the surface sediment of Xialiao Beach, New Taipei City, Taiwan

Researchers systematically mapped microplastic and mesoplastic pollution across Xialiao Beach in Taiwan, recovering 1,939 particles from 80 samples and finding that the backshore contained significantly more plastic than intertidal zones, with extrapolation suggesting approximately 6.8 million particles (≥1 mm) across the beach surface.

2019 Marine Pollution Bulletin 72 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence and distribution of microplastics on recreational beaches of Haichow Bay, China

Microplastic occurrence and distribution were examined on recreational beaches of Haichow Bay, China, a heavily visited coastal area. The study found microplastics throughout the beach environment with patterns linked to beach use intensity, wave energy, and sediment type, establishing contamination data for a tourist-frequented coastline.

2020 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 48 citations
Article Tier 2

The seasonal distribution characteristics of microplastics on bathing beaches along the coast of Qingdao, China

Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution at six bathing beaches along the coast of Qingdao, China, across winter and summer seasons. Microplastic abundance in both seawater and sediment was significantly higher in summer, and concentrations increased from east to west, consistent with coastal current patterns. The study suggests that human recreational activity and urbanization contribute to higher microplastic levels at these popular beach destinations.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 80 citations
Article Tier 2

Long-term observations of microplastic and mesoplastic distribution on sandy beaches in north-east Taiwan: Impact of typhoons on spatial and temporal variability

Using two decades of sampling data, researchers tracked long-term trends in microplastic and mesoplastic distribution on sandy beaches, finding steady increases in particle abundance over time with notable accumulation hotspots linked to ocean current patterns.

2025 Marine Pollution Bulletin 2 citations
Article Tier 2

First full investigation of levels of microplastics on sandy beaches in Malta

This study conducted the first comprehensive survey of microplastic levels on sandy beaches in Malta, finding microplastics at all five sampled beaches including in protected coastal areas. The results establish baseline contamination levels for the central Mediterranean and document seasonal and spatial variability.

2017 OAR@UM (University of Malta) 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Seasonal variations in microplastic distribution on Macau’s windward and leeward beaches: weak spatial autocorrelation

A seasonal study of beaches in Macau found that microplastic abundance varied between windward and leeward shores and changed across seasons, with wind direction and precipitation identified as key factors controlling where MPs accumulate and in what quantities.

2025 Frontiers in Marine Science
Article Tier 2

Abundance, composition, and distribution of microplastics larger than 20 μm in sand beaches of South Korea

A national survey of 20 sandy beaches along the South Korean coast found microplastics at all locations, with fragments as the dominant type and concentrations varying by beach exposure and proximity to population centers. The study establishes a national baseline for beach microplastic contamination to support monitoring and management policy in South Korea.

2018 Environmental Pollution 244 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatio-temporal variation and ecological risk assessment of microplastics along the touristic beaches of a mediterranean coast transect (Valencia province, East Spain)

Researchers sampled microplastics from seven tourist beaches along Spain's Valencia coast in both winter and summer and found contamination levels nearly five times higher during the summer tourism season. Fibers were the most common type of microplastic, and polyethylene and halogenated polystyrene from food packaging were the dominant polymers identified. The study raises questions about whether current beach cleaning practices are sufficient to address microplastic pollution.

2024 Journal of Environmental Management 25 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Contamination on the Beaches of South China

Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination across 14 beaches along the South China coast, finding microplastics ubiquitously present in sandy sediments, predominantly as small fragments under 1 mm, with distribution patterns linked to coastal urbanization and ocean current dynamics.

2022 Frontiers in Marine Science 26 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in seawater and two sides of the Taiwan Strait: Reflection of the social-economic development

Researchers surveyed microplastic abundance in surface seawater and coastal sediments on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, finding differences in contamination levels that reflected contrasting levels of industrialization and urban development on the Chinese mainland versus Taiwan sides.

2021 Marine Pollution Bulletin 39 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial Distribution of Microplastics and Mesoplastics in Sediments across Hsinchu, Taiwan

This study mapped the spatial distribution of microplastics in sediments across urban, suburban, and rural sites in Hsinchu City, Taiwan, finding that microplastics were most abundant near the urban core and near riverine discharge points. The findings indicate that urban plastic use and stormwater runoff are primary drivers of sediment microplastic contamination.

2023 Journal of Student Research
Article Tier 2

Impact of seasonal variations on microplastic accumulation and characteristics in sandy beaches of Sichang Island, the inner Gulf of Thailand

Researchers measured microplastic abundance in beach sediments on Sichang Island in the Gulf of Thailand across dry and wet seasons, finding that seasonal monsoon winds and currents strongly affected where plastics accumulated — increasing contamination on exposed windward beaches and reducing it on sheltered leeward ones. Polypropylene was the most common polymer found, and smaller microplastic particles became less abundant after the wet season, possibly dispersed further by wave action. The work highlights how local geography and seasonal weather patterns shape where microplastics concentrate along coastlines.

2025 Marine Pollution Bulletin 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Preliminary Assessment into the Prevalence and Distribution of Microplastics in North and South Pacific Island Beaches

Researchers conducted a preliminary investigation into microplastic prevalence on eight beaches across North and South Pacific Island locations in New Zealand and Hawaii, analyzing contamination as a function of beach location, sand type, and microplastic morphology. The study found microplastics at all eight sites, highlighting the widespread distribution of plastic pollution across remote Pacific Island shorelines.

2023 Microplastics 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Changes in Sources and Composition of Beach Waste in Coastal Cities around the Bohai Sea of China during the Tourist Peak and Off-Peak Seasons

Researchers surveyed beach waste across twenty beaches in thirteen cities around China's Bohai Sea during tourist peak and off-peak seasons, finding large quantities of plastic-dominated waste with significant seasonal variation linked to tourism and local activities.

2023 International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Seasonal Distribution, Composition, and Inventory of Plastic Debris on the Yugang Park Beach in Zhanjiang Bay, South China Sea

Researchers surveyed seasonal distribution and composition of plastic debris at Yugang Park Beach in South China Sea, finding significant variation across seasons and tidal zones, with single-use plastics from tourism and fishing activities as the primary sources.

2022 International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 20 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessment of microplastics in oysters in coastal areas of Taiwan

Microplastics were quantified in oysters from 22 sites along Taiwan's coastlines, providing a comprehensive baseline for MP contamination in commercially farmed and wild oysters across different coastal zones.

2021 Environmental Pollution 65 citations
Article Tier 2

Changes in (micro and macro) plastic pollution in the sediment of three sandy beaches in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, in relation to seasonality, beach use and granulometry

Researchers measured plastic and microplastic pollution in sediment from three Mediterranean beaches across seasons, finding that smaller microplastics accumulate at the backshore while larger items concentrate near the waterline. Seasonal patterns and beach use intensity affected plastic abundance, with implications for beach management and cleanup strategies.

2021 Marine Pollution Bulletin 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Monitoring of micro-plastics: a case study of shilaoren beach, Qingdao, China

Researchers measured microplastic occurrence and composition in beach sediments at Shilaoren Beach, Qingdao, China, finding 561 microplastic particles across sampling sites. The results confirm widespread microplastic contamination of beach sediments even at tourist beaches, adding to evidence of plastic pollution along Chinese coastlines.

2019 Biointerface Research in Applied Chemistry 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Identificación y cuantificación de microplásticos en sedimentos de tres playas recreativas de la costa de Campeche

Researchers identified and quantified microplastics in sediments from three recreational beaches in Campeche, Mexico, comparing concentrations across different seasons and sampling locations. The study found microplastics at all sites, with seasonal variation suggesting that weather patterns influence microplastic distribution on these tourist beaches.

2023 Editorial UNIMAR eBooks
Article Tier 2

Type and Distribution of Microplastic Contamination in Beach Sediment Along the Coast of the Lower Gulf of Thailand

Microplastic contamination was surveyed at five beaches along Thailand's lower Gulf Coast, with Talo Kapo showing the highest abundance and fragment-type particles being most common. The findings document baseline plastic pollution levels and polymer types across different coastal settings.

2023 Applied Ecology and Environmental Research 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatiotemporal variations in rural and urban beach microplastics accumulation in sediment along Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape, Mindanao, the Philippines

Researchers measured microplastic contamination in beach sand at urban and rural sites along a protected seascape in the Philippines across wet and dry seasons. They found significantly higher microplastic levels during the wet season, particularly at urban beaches, likely because rainfall washes more plastic debris from land into waterways. The most common plastics identified were polyester and polyethylene, suggesting sources from textiles and common consumer packaging.

2025 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Abundance and characterization of microplastics on sandy beaches along the coastal area of Belize

Researchers quantified and characterized microplastic abundance on sandy beaches along the coastal zone of Belize, establishing baseline contamination data for a region of Central America and the Caribbean where such pollution assessments are critically lacking.

2025 Marine Pollution Bulletin