Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Revealing Microplastic Contamination in Mangrove Sediments from Setiu Wetlands, Malaysia

Researchers found 2,292 microplastic particles per kilogram of sediment in the mangrove wetlands of Setiu, Malaysia, with over 80% being tiny fibers likely from fishing gear and packaging. Areas near aquaculture operations had the highest contamination levels, and the microplastic surfaces showed signs of environmental degradation that could make them more toxic. Mangrove ecosystems act as natural traps for microplastics, concentrating pollution in habitats that are vital for fisheries and coastal protection.

2025 Indonesian Journal of Chemistry 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Characteristics and distribution of microplastics in the coastal mangrove sediments of China

A survey of mangrove sediments along China's coast found microplastics were ubiquitous, with concentrations and polymer types varying by proximity to human activity and hydrological conditions. The study shows that mangrove forests, which provide critical coastal ecosystem services, are accumulating significant quantities of plastic pollution.

2019 The Science of The Total Environment 213 citations
Article Tier 2

ACCUMULATION OF MICROPLASTICS (<300 µM) IN MANGROVE SEDIMENTS OF BANDA ACEH CITY, INDONESIA

Researchers measured microplastic accumulation in mangrove sediments in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, finding up to 3,840 particles per kilogram of sediment — with plastic pellets and fibers smaller than 300 micrometers being the most common types — suggesting these coastal ecosystems are acting as significant traps for plastic pollution from nearby land and waterways.

2025 Applied Ecology and Environmental Research 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Singapore’s coastal mangrove ecosystems

Researchers sampled coastal mangrove ecosystems in Singapore and found microplastics throughout, demonstrating that mangrove habitats accumulate plastic pollution and raising concerns for the organisms that depend on these ecologically important coastal forests.

2013 Marine Pollution Bulletin 977 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessment of secondary microplastics trapped in mangrove ecosystem of a highly populated tropical megacity, India

Researchers quantified microplastic contamination in Mumbai's mangrove ecosystem across six zones and 30 sampling sites. They found an average of 6,730 microplastic particles per kilogram of dry sediment, dominated by fibers and polyethylene, with concentrations decreasing at greater sediment depths, highlighting the need for management policies to protect coastal environments.

2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances 6 citations
Article Tier 2

The distribution, characteristics and ecological risks of microplastics in the mangroves of Southern China

Microplastics were found to be widespread in mangrove sediments across Southern China, with higher concentrations in areas closer to urban development and aquaculture. The study highlights mangroves as accumulation zones for microplastic pollution, which could threaten these ecologically important coastal ecosystems.

2019 The Science of The Total Environment 339 citations
Article Tier 2

Risk assessment and influence of microplastics on mangrove forest soil: Sandwip Island, Chittagong, Bangladesh

Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in mangrove forest soils on Sandwip Island, Bangladesh, characterizing the abundance, types, and potential ecological risks of the particles. They found notable levels of microplastic pollution in the mangrove sediments, with fibers and fragments being the most common forms. The study highlights an understudied threat to mangrove ecosystems and calls for greater attention to microplastic impacts on these critical coastal habitats.

2026 Environmental Science and Pollution Research
Article Tier 2

Study of microplastics pollution in sediments and organisms in mangrove forests: A review

This review examined 53 studies on microplastic pollution in mangrove forests, finding that these coastal ecosystems act as traps that retain microplastics in their sediments and root systems for extended periods. Researchers found that fiber-shaped and brightly colored microplastics were most commonly detected in organisms like mollusks, crustaceans, and fish living in these habitats. The highest concentrations of microplastics in mangrove environments were reported in China.

2022 Environmental Research 119 citations
Article Tier 2

Contamination of microplastics in mangrove sediment cores from Lach Huyen area, Hai Phong city, Vietnam

Microplastic concentrations in sediment cores from mangrove forests near a major Vietnamese port averaged over 1,300 particles per kilogram — substantially higher than comparable regions globally — with fibres comprising 80% of particles and concentrations decreasing with sediment depth, suggesting recent intensification of pollution. Mangrove sediments act as long-term plastic sinks, and the high fibre burden raises concern for the benthic organisms and communities that depend on these critical coastal ecosystems.

2023 IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Presence of microplastics in water, sediments and fish species in an urban coastal environment of Fiji, a Pacific small island developing state

Researchers conducted the first assessment of microplastic levels in surface water, sediments, and fish from the urban coastal environment of Suva, Fiji. The study confirmed the presence of microplastics across all three matrices in this Pacific small island developing state, and evaluated contributions from local sources including wastewater, highlighting that microplastic pollution affects even remote island nations.

2020 Marine Pollution Bulletin 175 citations
Article Tier 2

Preliminary Study on the Role of Mangroves in Entrapping Microplastics in Tuticorin Coast of Gulf of Mannar, Southeast Coast of India

Researchers compared microplastic concentrations in mangrove sediments versus open-beach control sites along the coast of southern India and found consistently higher levels within mangrove areas. Polyethylene and polypropylene fibers in the 1–3 mm range were most common, and weathering analysis confirmed significant environmental degradation of the particles. The findings suggest that mangrove root systems act as natural traps for microplastics, which has implications for both ecosystem health and the many coastal communities that rely on mangroves for fisheries and shore protection.

2023 Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution of microplastics in the tidal flats of La Parguera, Puerto Rico

Researchers studied the distribution of microplastics in tidal flat sediments behind mangrove forests at four sites in southwest Puerto Rico. They found an average of about 149 microplastic particles per kilogram of sediment, with abundance increasing at greater distances from mangrove trees. The study suggests that mangrove density and local human activity levels influence how microplastics accumulate in these critical coastal ecosystems.

2024 Marine Pollution Bulletin 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Profil Pencemaran Mikroplastik Pada Sedimen Ekosistem Mangrove di Pulau Serangan, Bali

Indonesian researchers measured microplastic contamination in mangrove sediments at Serangan Island, Bali, sampling across different depths and land-use types to map the distribution of plastic particles in this coastal ecosystem. Mangroves act as natural plastic traps due to their dense root networks, making them important sentinels for monitoring coastal plastic pollution.

2026 Metamorfosa Journal of Biological Sciences
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in mangroves with special reference to Asia: Occurrence, distribution, bioaccumulation and remediation options

This review examines microplastic contamination in Asian mangrove ecosystems, finding higher pollution levels near fishing, tourism, and industrial areas. Organisms throughout the mangrove food web, from shellfish to fish, accumulate microplastics based on their feeding habits and habitat. While mangrove plants can trap some microplastics in their roots, the widespread contamination of these coastal ecosystems raises concerns about the safety of seafood harvested from mangrove areas for human consumption.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 54 citations
Article Tier 2

Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in the mangrove sediment of the semi-enclosed Maowei Sea of the south China sea: New implications for location, rhizosphere, and sediment compositions

Microplastics were widespread in mangrove sediments of the semi-enclosed Maowei Sea in southern China, with concentrations influenced by location within the mangrove, proximity to roots, and sediment composition. The study provides new insight into how mangrove ecosystems trap and accumulate microplastics, raising concerns for the health of these ecologically important coastal habitats.

2018 Environmental Pollution 207 citations
Article Tier 2

Micro-contaminant, but immense impact: Source and influence of diethyl phthalate plasticizer on bottom-dwelling fishes

Researchers tracked microplastic accumulation in mangrove sediments along a tropical coastline, finding concentrations up to 1,200 particles per kilogram of dry sediment. Mangroves appear to act as sinks for floating plastic debris, with fibers dominating the assemblage.

2022 Chemosphere 15 citations
Article Tier 2

Distribution and retention of microplastics in plantation mangrove forest sediments

Researchers investigated the spatial distribution and retention of microplastics in sediments of plantation mangrove forests, finding that mangrove plantations act as effective sinks for microplastics transported by ocean tides, with particle size and shape influencing where plastics accumulate within the forest structure.

2022 Chemosphere 24 citations
Article Tier 2

Accumulation of Plastics and Trace Elements in the Mangrove Forests of Bima City Bay, Indonesia

Researchers investigated microplastic and trace element pollution in mangrove soils and plant tissues across areas with varying levels of human activity in Bima Bay, Indonesia. They found that microplastic levels were highest near hotels and lowest in rural areas, with plant tissues selectively accumulating certain polymer types like polyamides. The results highlight that mangrove forests act as sinks for plastic pollution, with contamination levels closely tied to local human activity.

2023 Plants 24 citations
Article Tier 2

Spatial and vertical distribution of microplastics in mangrove sediment in the southern Philippines

This study mapped microplastic contamination in the sediments of three mangrove forests in Mindanao, Philippines, finding particles at all sites with counts ranging from 83 to 2,250 items per kilogram depending on location. Fragment shapes dominated near one river mouth while fibers dominated at a coastal site, and polypropylene was the most common polymer overall. Microplastic levels and types appeared linked to local economic activity, fishing, and waste management practices. The findings provide baseline data for protecting these ecologically important coastal ecosystems.

2025 Marine Environmental Research 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Ecological interception effect of mangroves on microplastics

Researchers found that mangroves act as an ecological barrier intercepting microplastics, with MP abundance decreasing from river inputs toward the ocean, demonstrating the role of mangrove ecosystems in filtering plastic pollution before it reaches open waters.

2021 Journal of Hazardous Materials 121 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplásticos en aguas superficiales y sedimentos de manglar en tres islas del Archipiélago de Jambelí, Ecuador

Researchers sampled surface water and mangrove sediments from three islands in Ecuador's Jambelí Archipelago to characterize microplastic contamination in this sensitive coastal ecosystem. Microplastics were detected in both water and sediment matrices, with fibers dominating, providing baseline data for these ecologically important but understudied mangrove ecosystems in the eastern Pacific.

2025 Manglar
Meta Analysis Tier 1

Identifying patterns of microplastic accumulation in coastal vegetated habitats: A systematic review and meta-analysis

A meta-analysis of microplastic accumulation in coastal vegetated habitats found that mangroves have the highest microplastic concentrations compared to saltmarshes and seagrass beds, especially near urban centers and fishing zones. Nearly 40% of comparisons showed higher microplastic accumulation in vegetated versus unvegetated sites, with degraded habitats accumulating more plastics.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Depth Profiles of Microplastic in Sediment Cores in the Mangrove Area of Kuala Gula Mangrove, Malaysia

Researchers profiled microplastic abundance with depth in sediment cores from the Kuala Gula Mangrove in Malaysia, finding 25-130 items per kg dry weight and highest concentrations near rivermouth sites, demonstrating that mangrove sediments are significant microplastic sinks.

2023 Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 22 citations
Article Tier 2

Marine litter and microplastic pollution in mangrove sediments in the Sea of Oman

Researchers surveyed marine litter and microplastic pollution in mangrove sediments along the coast of Oman. They found plastic items accounted for the vast majority of litter, and microplastic concentrations in sediment varied widely between sites, with the highest levels near areas of greater human activity. The study highlights mangroves as significant sinks for plastic pollution that need targeted conservation and cleanup efforts.

2024 Marine Pollution Bulletin 30 citations