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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Occurrence, distribution, and associated pollutants of plastic pellets (nurdles) in coastal areas of South Texas.
ClearMeasuring plastic pellet (nurdle) abundance on shorelines throughout the Gulf of Mexico using citizen scientists: Establishing a platform for policy-relevant research
Researchers used a citizen science program called 'Nurdle Patrol' to monitor plastic pellet (nurdle) abundance on shorelines throughout the Gulf of Mexico, finding pellets on beaches across multiple states and identifying industrial plastic handling facilities as likely point sources. The study demonstrates how citizen science can generate large-scale spatial data on a specific and trackable form of microplastic pollution.
Colour spectrum and resin-type determine the concentration and composition of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in plastic pellets
Plastic pellets collected from beaches were found to contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs, which are carcinogenic compounds), with darker-colored pellets generally having higher concentrations. This shows that plastic pellets can accumulate toxic chemicals from the environment and carry them to beaches where they may be ingested by wildlife.
Sorption, Extraction, and Characterization of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Environmentally Weathered Microplastics, Particulate Organic Matter, Sediment, and Fish Species in the Lavaca-Matagorda Bay System
Researchers studied how microplastics carry cancer-causing chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Lavaca-Matagorda Bay system in Texas. They found PAHs attached to microplastics, sediment, and in the digestive systems of three commercially important fish species. This shows that microplastics can act as vehicles for toxic chemicals in coastal waters, potentially affecting the safety of fish that people eat.
Persistent organic pollutants carried on plastic resin pellets from two beaches in China
Researchers found that plastic resin pellets collected from two Chinese beaches contained significant concentrations of PAHs, PCBs, organochlorine pesticides, and other persistent organic pollutants sorbed to their surfaces. The findings confirm that plastic pellets act as vectors for long-range transport of multiple classes of hydrophobic chemical contaminants in marine environments.
Plastic Pellets in the Sandy Sediment of Beaches on the Middle Coast of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
This study evaluated plastic pellet (nurdle) abundance in beach sediments along the middle coast of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil — a region with low urbanization — and examined how proximity to the port of Rio Grande affected pellet density. Pellets are pre-production plastic granules that escape into the environment during manufacture and transport, and serve as a direct indicator of industrial plastic pollution pathways.
Distribution of beached microplastics carrying pOPs at south atlantic estuary, argentina
Researchers sampled large microplastics (>1 mm) and plastic resin pellets from the intertidal zone of a highly anthropized estuary in Buenos Aires province, Argentina, characterizing their distribution and quantifying sorbed persistent organic pollutants and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by GC-MS. Average concentrations reached 5,127 MPs/dm3 sediment, with HDPE confirmed as the dominant resin type and PAH levels reaching 122.79 ng/g pellet, highlighting the role of pellets as environmental indicators of chemical exposure.
Determination of organochlorine pesticides adsorbed on plastic pellets
Researchers analyzed organochlorine pesticides adsorbed onto plastic pellets found in coastal environments, contributing to understanding of how plastic debris accumulates and concentrates toxic chemicals. Plastic pellets, a type of microplastic, can act as carriers bringing persistent organic pollutants into marine food webs.
Beached microplastics at the Bahia Blanca Estuary (Argentina): Plastic pellets as potential vectors of environmental pollution by POPs
Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination along beaches of the Bahia Blanca Estuary in Argentina, finding an average of about 1,693 microplastic particles per kilogram of sediment. Plastic pellets, which are raw materials used in manufacturing, were particularly common and were found to carry persistent organic pollutants (POPs) on their surfaces. The study shows that microplastics on beaches can act as vehicles for toxic chemicals, potentially exposing both wildlife and people who use these coastal areas.
Microplastics in Bays along the Central Texas Coast
Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in sediments from Matagorda and San Antonio Bays along the central Texas coast. They found relatively low concentrations, in the range of tens to hundreds of particles per kilogram of sediment, with negligible correlation to grain size, organic content, or water depth. The study suggests that strong wind-driven mixing and flushing into the Gulf of Mexico limits microplastic accumulation within these bays.
Organic contamination of beached plastic pellets in the South Atlantic: Risk assessments can benefit by considering spatial gradients
PAH and PCB concentrations were measured on microplastic pellets collected along 39 km of Brazilian South Atlantic coastline, finding total PAH concentrations of 1,454–6,002 ng/g (frequently exceeding EPA sediment threshold effect levels) with a north-to-south spatial gradient. The study demonstrates significant organic pollutant loading on coastal plastic pellets and recommends spatially targeted risk assessments.
Mesoplastics and large microplastics along a use gradient on the Uruguay Atlantic coast: Types, sources, fates, and chemical loads
Plastic debris was found on Uruguayan beaches along a gradient of tourist use, with polypropylene and polyethylene being the most common polymers and various toxic chemicals detected on the particles. The study shows that recreational beach use is linked to higher plastic contamination in coastal environments.
Quantification and Characterisation of Pre-Production Pellet Pollution in the Avon-Heathcote Estuary/Ihutai, Aotearoa-New Zealand
Researchers surveyed pre-production plastic pellet (nurdle) pollution in a New Zealand estuary, finding these raw plastic manufacturing feedstocks contaminating an important wildlife habitat. Nurdle spills are a significant but often overlooked source of microplastic contamination in coastal ecosystems.
Seasonal variation and spatial distribution of microplastic pellets and their associated contaminants along the central east coast of India
Microplastic pellets were documented for the first time along eight beaches of Andhra Pradesh on India's central east coast, with higher abundance during the northeast monsoon season, and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis confirming adsorption of heavy metals including Ni, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn.
Revealing accumulation zones of plastic pellets in sandy beaches
Researchers evaluated plastic pellet accumulation across 13 sandy beaches in São Paulo state, Brazil, using transects and vertical sediment profiles to one meter depth, identifying regional accumulation hotspots near ports and factories and finding that coastal dunes accumulated more pellets than backshores, with most concentrated in the top 40 cm.
Abundant plankton-sized microplastic particles in shelf waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico
Researchers found abundant microplastic particles of plankton-like size in the waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico shelf, raising concerns about their potential to be ingested by zooplankton and higher trophic level species. The study highlights how semi-enclosed coastal seas can accumulate high concentrations of small plastic fragments.
Study on the Mass Concentration Distributions of Marine Microplastics in Estuaries and Coastal Areas
Researchers characterized the mass concentration distribution of marine microplastics in estuarine and coastal environments, measuring spatial gradients between river mouths and open coastal waters and identifying estuaries as major transition zones for microplastic flux.
Association between PAH and plastic fragments on Brazilian coast beaches: a baseline assessment
Researchers conducted a baseline assessment of the association between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and plastic fragments collected from beaches along the Brazilian coast, characterising how microplastics act as adsorption surfaces for these organic pollutants. The study found co-occurrence of PAHs and plastic fragments at sampled sites, establishing contamination baselines and informing understanding of the plastic-pollutant vector pathway.
Pellets plásticos em praias do litoral do Ceará: influência de atividades antropogênicas
Researchers surveyed plastic pellet accumulation on beaches along the Ceara coastline of northeastern Brazil to assess the influence of anthropogenic activities — including port facilities and industrial zones — on pellet distribution. The study documented pellet presence and spatial patterns across multiple beach sites, contributing to understanding how industrial and port activities drive pellet pollution in tropical coastal environments.
Litter assessment on sandy beaches along the Brazilian coast: a large-scale analysis of macrolitter and microplastics
Researchers conducted a large-scale assessment of macrolitter and microplastic contamination on sandy beaches along the Brazilian coast, characterizing pollution patterns, dominant polymer types, and potential anthropogenic sources across multiple sites.
Quantification of PAHs, PCBs and Pesticides adsorbed by plastic waste in the Togolese marine environment
Researchers analyzed plastic waste collected along the Togolese coast and found it contaminated with PAHs and PCBs, demonstrating that marine plastics act as vectors for toxic organic pollutants. This adsorption of harmful chemicals onto plastic surfaces poses risks to marine organisms and potentially to humans who consume seafood.
Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments: Insights into microplastic accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries
Researchers surveyed microplastic abundance in beach sediments across seven locations in Mobile Bay, a northern Gulf of Mexico estuary. The study found microplastics were ubiquitous at concentrations 66 to 253 times higher than reported for the open ocean, with polypropylene and polyethylene being the most common polymers, highlighting the extent of microplastic accumulation in estuarine environments.