Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Marine debris: A review of impacts and global initiatives

This review provides a comprehensive overview of marine debris and its environmental, economic, and social impacts worldwide. Researchers found that plastics represent 50 to 90 percent of all marine debris, with millions of metric tonnes entering the oceans annually. The study surveys global policy initiatives aimed at reducing marine litter and identifies the need for more coordinated international action to address this pervasive pollution problem.

2019 Waste Management & Research The Journal for a Sustainable Circular Economy 226 citations
Article Tier 2

On the Challenge of Plastic Wastes and Litter in Oceans: Some Policy Reflections

This policy analysis discusses the growing crisis of plastic litter in the world's oceans, reviewing international agreements and national policies aimed at reducing ocean plastic pollution. The authors argue that current policy efforts fall far short of what is needed and propose stronger global governance frameworks.

2021 Environmental Policy and Law
Article Tier 2

Managing Marine Plastic Pollution: Policy Initiatives to Address Wayward Waste

This policy analysis reviews local, national, and international initiatives aimed at reducing marine plastic pollution, from plastic bag bans to proposed international agreements. While policy action is growing, the article highlights that global coordination and enforcement remain major challenges in meaningfully reducing ocean plastic waste.

2015 Environmental Health Perspectives 73 citations
Article Tier 2

Analysis of Marine Plastic Pollution and Environmental Problems

This review examines the sources, environmental and socioeconomic effects, and policy responses to marine plastic pollution, finding that while scientific knowledge is substantial, policy and regulatory initiatives have so far been inadequate and inconsistent across countries. The paper calls for stronger international coordination and more effective governance tools to meaningfully reduce plastic inputs to the ocean.

2023 Highlights in Science Engineering and Technology 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Marine litter: how to monitor, reduce and prevent ocean debris. Focus on plastics and microplastics.

This report reviewed the growing problem of plastic pollution in the oceans and the policy landscape for addressing it, emphasizing that production, use, and end-of-life management all require reform. It frames plastic pollution as a systemic challenge requiring coordinated international action rather than single-issue solutions.

2018 IOC of UNESCO (Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission) 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Plastic marine pollution

This paper analyzes the causes and consequences of marine plastic pollution, reviews alternative solutions proposed by various actors, and assesses the effectiveness of current international actions. It concludes that existing efforts are insufficient given the scale of plastic entering the oceans each year.

2019 Prosperitas
Article Tier 2

Marine Plastic Pollution: Current Situation, Impacts, and Governance Strategies

This review examines the current state of marine plastic pollution, noting that approximately 8 million tons of plastic waste enters the ocean annually. The study discusses how plastics decompose and release toxic substances that harm marine life, and how plastic particles can enter the human food chain, while highlighting governance strategies and international efforts to address the problem.

2024 Advance in Marine Science and Technology 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Marine Litter: Solutions for a Major Environmental Problem

This paper reviews the sources, distribution, and impacts of marine litter — primarily plastics — on beaches and oceans, and surveys proposed solutions ranging from improved waste management to policy interventions and cleanup technologies. It provides a broad overview of the challenge of reducing plastic pollution at a global scale.

2019 Journal of Coastal Research 196 citations
Article Tier 2

A Review on the Impact of Plastic Debris on Marine Environment

This review summarizes the types, sources, and impacts of plastic debris in marine environments, covering both macro- and microplastics and their effects on marine biodiversity. The paper also discusses global initiatives and policy frameworks aimed at reducing marine plastic pollution.

2021 Modern Concepts in Material Science 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Marine debris: A review of impacts and global initiatives

This review summarizes the scale and impacts of marine debris globally, covering five main categories including plastics, and surveys international initiatives aimed at addressing the problem. Plastic is the dominant category of marine debris and is recognized as a growing threat to ecosystems and human communities worldwide.

2019 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

The ocean plastic pollution challenge: towards solutions in the UK

This brief report outlines the scale of ocean plastic pollution and discusses potential solutions being explored in the United Kingdom. It provides a policy-oriented overview of approaches to reduce plastic waste entering marine environments.

2016 Spiral (Imperial College London) 40 citations
Article Tier 2

Explore the Impact of Marine Plastic Pollution and Countermeasures

This paper reviewed the scope of marine plastic pollution, its distribution across ocean ecosystems, and its socioeconomic effects on coastal communities, finding that existing international agreements and waste management efforts remain insufficient to address the scale of the problem.

2025 MATEC Web of Conferences
Article Tier 2

Oceanic pollution; A threat to life

This brief overview discusses multiple forms of ocean pollution, including plastic debris, and their threats to marine ecosystems. The author calls for urgent global action to prevent further degradation of ocean health.

2021 Pure and Applied Biology 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Plastic pollution of the world’s seas and oceans as a contemporary challenge in ocean governance

This paper frames plastic pollution of the world's seas and oceans as a defining contemporary challenge in ocean stewardship, reviewing the scale of the problem and arguing for urgent policy and management responses.

2018 Nature Communications 492 citations
Article Tier 2

The Problem of Plastic Waste Pollution in the World Ocean

This review examines plastic waste as the dominant and most persistent component of marine litter -- representing at least 85% of total marine debris -- summarizing lethal and sublethal effects on marine megafauna, invertebrates, and plankton, and discussing sources, transport pathways, and the policy landscape for reducing ocean plastic pollution.

2022 Bulletin of the National Technical University «KhPI» Series New solutions in modern technologies
Article Tier 2

Plastic pollutions in the ocean: their sources, causes, effects and control measures

This review provides a broad overview of plastic pollution in the ocean, covering its sources, environmental impacts, and effects on marine wildlife and human health. Researchers noted that ocean plastic concentrations can reach hundreds of thousands of pieces per square kilometer, with ingestion and entanglement affecting hundreds of marine species. The study calls for stronger international regulations and improved waste management to curb the growing tide of ocean plastic.

2023 Journal of Biological Studies 19 citations
Article Tier 2

Marine Debris: Understanding, Preventing and Mitigating the Significant Adverse Impacts on Marine and Coastal Biodiversity.

This UN-backed review updates the science on marine debris impacts on coastal and marine biodiversity, noting that plastics make up the majority of marine litter and that fragmentation creates microplastics ingested by a wide range of organisms. An estimated 4.8 to 12.7 million tonnes of plastic waste entered marine environments in 2010 alone, with ongoing growth expected.

2016 IOC of UNESCO (Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission) 5 citations
Article Tier 2

An Overview of the Current Trends in Marine Plastic Litter Management for a Sustainable Development

This review summarizes current knowledge about marine plastic litter, from its land-based origins to its distribution across ocean environments, and evaluates recovery and recycling strategies. Researchers found that while technologies for collecting and recycling marine plastics are advancing, significant economic and logistical barriers remain. The study emphasizes that a circular economy approach, combining prevention, collection, and material recovery, is essential for addressing ocean plastic pollution.

2024 Recycling 30 citations
Article Tier 2

Ocean plastics: environmental implications and potential routes for mitigation – a perspective

This review provides an overview of ocean plastic pollution, covering the major sources of both micro and macro plastics and how they distribute across marine environments. The study discusses environmental effects on marine life and evaluates potential solutions including biodegradable alternatives, improved waste management, and international policy efforts to reduce plastic entering the oceans.

2021 RSC Advances 133 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Pollution in Oceans

This review provides an overview of microplastic pollution in the world's oceans, covering sources, distribution patterns, ecological impacts, and the challenges of monitoring and remediation at global scale. The authors emphasize the urgent need for international policy coordination and improved waste management.

2024 Practice, progress, and proficiency in sustainability
Article Tier 2

Marine Plastic Debris and Microplastics

This UN Environment Programme report reviews the science on marine plastic debris and microplastics, identifies priority areas for action, and calls for improved waste management to reduce plastic flowing into oceans. It synthesizes existing research and provides policy recommendations for governments and industry.

2016 United Nations eBooks 26 citations
Article Tier 2

Beyond surface: Unveiling ecological and economic ramifications of microplastic pollution in the oceans

This review examines the ecological and economic damage caused by microplastic pollution in the world's oceans, where 400 million metric tons of plastic waste are generated annually. The paper argues that international legislation and a global plastics treaty are essential to shift toward a circular plastics economy and prevent further harm to marine ecosystems. Without decisive action, microplastic pollution will continue to threaten both ocean health and the communities that depend on marine resources.

2024 Water Environment Research 34 citations
Article Tier 2

Marine debris: A review of impacts and global initiatives

This review summarizes the global scale and impacts of marine debris, covering five main material categories and reviewing international cleanup and prevention initiatives. It highlights that plastic debris dominates marine litter and threatens wildlife, fisheries, and coastal communities.

2019 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Marine Plastic Monitoring, Assessment, and Policy

This review covers the current state of marine plastic monitoring systems, assessment frameworks, and policy instruments globally, examining data collection methods, international agreements, and gaps in enforcement. The authors highlight that inconsistent monitoring protocols and lack of binding global treaty mechanisms remain critical barriers to effective marine plastic governance.

2025