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Papers
20 resultsShowing papers similar to Using citizen science to understand floating plastic debris distribution and abundance: A case study from the North Cornish coast (United Kingdom).
ClearThe potential contribution of citizen science data in the study of coastal microplastic and mesoplastic distributions
Researchers analyzed citizen science data from the Big Microplastic Survey to assess the potential contribution of volunteer-collected observations to understanding coastal microplastic and mesoplastic distribution patterns, evaluating data quality and spatial coverage relative to conventional scientific monitoring.
The sampling and analysis of coastal microplastic and mesoplastic: Development of a citizen science approach
This study designed, developed, and tested a citizen science approach to microplastic and mesoplastic data collection on coastal beaches to address scale and coverage limitations of traditional research methods. Results showed non-expert participants could collect comparable data to researchers, expanding monitoring capacity across undersampled coastlines.
Floating microplastic loads in the nearshore revealed through citizen science
Researchers used citizen science manta trawl deployments across 124 transects in the NW Mediterranean to characterize floating microplastic loads in nearshore coastal waters, finding substantial plastic pollution concentrated close to shore where emissions are highest.
The Surfing for Science citizen science project: 5 years monitoring floating microplastics in the nearshore
Researchers reported five years of citizen science microplastic monitoring data from the Surfing for Science project, in which trained surfers and paddlers towed specially designed manta trawls in nearshore waters along the northern and northeastern Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands to track floating microplastic abundance and origin.
Increasing our understanding of coastal microplastics and mesoplastics: a comparison of sampling methodologies using volunteer researchers
Researchers compared three different methods for sampling coastal microplastic and mesoplastic pollution using trained volunteers at three locations in southern England. They found that one citizen science method, the Big Microplastic Survey, consistently detected more plastic pollution and fewer zero counts than the other approaches. The study underscores the challenge of standardizing sampling methods and the importance of enabling meaningful comparisons across global monitoring efforts.
Determining global distribution of microplastics by combining citizen science and in-depth case studies
This study combined citizen science sampling data with in-depth field studies to build a better global picture of microplastic distribution. The approach shows how large-scale volunteer monitoring can extend spatial coverage far beyond what professional researchers can achieve alone.
Citizen Science for Assessment of Microplastics on Beaches: A Case Study in Mexico
Researchers used a citizen science approach involving 26 volunteers to assess microplastic abundance and type on Mexican beaches, providing broad geographic coverage at lower cost than traditional monitoring. Participants used standardized materials and training to collect and identify microplastics, generating a representative database that also raised public awareness of coastal plastic pollution.
Testing citizen science as a tool for monitoring surface water microplastics
Researchers tested citizen science as a monitoring method for surface water microplastics in the Baltic Sea using a custom manta trawl aboard a sailing vessel, sampling at seven locations and finding microplastic concentrations from 0.45 to 1.98 MP/m², and evaluated the viability of integrating citizen science into large-scale MP monitoring programs.
Microplastic detectives: a citizen-science project reveals large variation in meso- and microplastic pollution along German coastlines
A citizen science project recruited volunteers to sample meso- and microplastics along German Baltic and North Sea coastlines, achieving spatial coverage far beyond what scientific teams alone could accomplish. Large variation in plastic pollution was found across sites, with some areas showing unexpectedly high concentrations linked to local sources and ocean circulation patterns.
The Contribution of Citizen Scientists to the Monitoring of Marine Litter
Researchers compared 40 citizen science marine litter monitoring studies with 40 professional science studies, finding that citizen science projects have mainly focused on beach surveys and successfully generated large-scale distribution data, while professional studies have contributed more to composition analysis and ecological impact assessment. The review highlights the complementary strengths of both approaches and the value of citizen participation in long-term litter monitoring.
Citizen science reveals microplastic hotspots within tidal estuaries and the remote Scilly Islands, United Kingdom
This citizen science project mapped microplastic hotspots in tidal estuaries and remote island environments in the UK, finding elevated concentrations near population centers and in accumulation zones. Citizen science significantly increased geographical coverage and revealed that microplastic distribution is highly patchy, with hotspots shaped by local currents and human activity.
Paddle surfing for science on microplastic pollution: a successful citizen science initiative
Researchers used paddle surfers as citizen scientists to collect microplastic samples from near-shore coastal waters in the Mediterranean Sea, filling a gap in data from areas close to the coastline. The study demonstrates how citizen science can expand microplastic monitoring to locations that are difficult to access with conventional research vessels.
Accuracy of a Simple Microplastics Investigation Method on Sandy Beaches
This study tested a simplified citizen science method for monitoring microplastic pollution on sandy beaches, evaluating its accuracy compared to standard research methods. Reliable citizen science approaches could dramatically expand the geographic coverage of microplastic monitoring beyond what professional researchers alone can achieve.
Microplastic distribution and composition on two Galápagos island beaches, Ecuador: Verifying the use of citizen science derived data in long-term monitoring
Researchers validated a citizen science methodology for monitoring visible microplastic contamination on Galapagos island beaches using standardized quadrat sampling, comparing citizen-generated data with expert surveys over multiple years. The approach was found to produce reliable data for long-term monitoring while reducing costs, supporting its use in logistically challenging remote locations.
Abundance and composition of near surface microplastics and plastic debris in the Stockholm Archipelago, Baltic Sea
This study combined professional manta trawl sampling and citizen science transect surveys to characterize microplastic abundance and composition in the Stockholm Archipelago and Baltic Sea. The results provide baseline data on plastic contamination in Baltic surface waters and demonstrate that citizen science can complement formal monitoring efforts.
Citizen Science for Monitoring Plastic Pollution from Source to Sea: A Systematic Review of Methodologies, Best Practices, and Challenges
This systematic review examines how citizen science programs track plastic pollution from land to sea. The research found that while public participation greatly expands data collection, inconsistent methods and data quality issues limit the scientific usefulness of the results. Better-designed citizen science programs could help communities monitor and respond to the microplastic pollution in their local environments.
Making citizen science count: Best practices and challenges of citizen science projects on plastics in aquatic environments
This paper reviews best practices and challenges for citizen science projects focused on plastic pollution in aquatic environments, finding that while citizen science can effectively gather large-scale data and raise public awareness, data quality and consistency remain significant challenges.
The Surfing for Science citizen science project: 5 years monitoring floating microplastics in the nearshore
Researchers reported five years of data from the 'Surfing for Science' citizen science project monitoring floating microplastics in the nearshore waters of northern and northeastern Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands, with participants towing specially designed manta trawls from paddleboards and kayaks. The project collected over 400 samples and characterised microplastics by size, shape, colour, and polymer type, sharing results via Instagram with mapped transect data.
The sink is leaking! – Enabling citizen science for global mapping of microplastic leakage from coastal soils
Researchers developed a citizen science framework for globally mapping microplastic leakage from coastal soils to marine environments, proposing standardized protocols that enable the public to document how microplastics transition from the terrestrial soil sink to ocean pathways via wind, wave, and current transport.
Measuring 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.