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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to The potential contribution of citizen science data in the study of coastal microplastic and mesoplastic distributions
ClearThe 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.
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.
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.
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.
Using citizen science to understand floating plastic debris distribution and abundance: A case study from the North Cornish coast (United Kingdom).
This citizen science study used a standardized methodology to monitor floating plastic debris off the Cornish coast of the UK, finding microplastic concentrations comparable to or higher than other European coastal regions. The study demonstrates that citizen science can generate useful, standardized data on plastic pollution in coastal waters.
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.
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.
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.
Citizen Science and Data Integration for Understanding Marine Litter
This paper reviews how citizen science and data integration can improve understanding of marine litter distribution and environmental impacts, filling data gaps that professional research cannot cover at ocean scale. Community-based monitoring has proven especially valuable for tracking how plastic debris moves along coastlines and accumulates in specific areas.
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.
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.
The baseline for micro- and mesoplastic pollution in open Baltic Sea and Gulf of Riga beach
Researchers established a baseline for microplastic and mesoplastic pollution along 24 beaches on the Latvian coastline of the Baltic Sea, using data collected with the help of up to 250 citizen science volunteers. They found that beaches on the open Baltic Sea contained more plastic particles than those in the semi-enclosed Gulf of Riga. The study analyzed wave patterns, currents, and tourism intensity as factors driving pollution distribution and highlights citizen science as a valuable tool for large-scale microplastic monitoring.
Citizen-Science for the Future: Advisory Case Studies From Around the Globe
This paper presents case studies of citizen science projects contributing ocean observation data, showing that non-professional volunteers can meaningfully supplement scientific monitoring. Citizen science approaches are increasingly used to monitor microplastic pollution across coastlines and waterways globally.
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.
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.
Advancing Citizen Science for Coastal and Ocean Research
This position paper promotes citizen science as a powerful tool for marine research, especially for the large-scale data collection needed to monitor ocean pollution including microplastics. Citizen science programs have already contributed significant data on plastic debris distribution in coastal and offshore waters.
Citizen Observation of Plastic Pollution in African Coastal Ecosystems to Address Data Gaps in Marine Litter Distribution
Researchers engaged citizen science networks in West Africa to collect data on plastic pollution in coastal ecosystems, addressing major gaps in marine litter distribution data for the region. Community-collected observations documented high plastic loads in Nigerian, Ghanaian, and Senegalese coastal sites, demonstrating that citizen science can effectively fill monitoring gaps in data-scarce regions.
A new deal between Science and Society through Citizen Science: the case study of sea-surface microplastics research
Researchers explored the role of citizen science in sea-surface microplastic monitoring, arguing it can help bridge the trust gap between scientific institutions and the public. The study used a Mediterranean microplastics monitoring program as a case study showing how citizen participation improved data coverage and community engagement.
Citizen science in environmental and ecological sciences
This review describes how citizen science, where non-professional volunteers help collect data, is being applied in environmental and ecological research. Citizen science projects have contributed to monitoring pollution, biodiversity, and water quality across large geographic areas. The approach is relevant to microplastic research because trained volunteers can help sample and catalog microplastic contamination across many locations that professional scientists cannot cover alone.
Microplastic Pollution Projects and Participatory Science
This paper discusses citizen science and participatory science projects for monitoring microplastic pollution, reviewing methodological approaches, data quality considerations, and the potential for large-scale pollution mapping through public engagement.
Participatory monitoring with VA'A canoes identifies key environmental factors driving microplastic distribution
Researchers used participatory monitoring with VA'A canoes to assess microplastic abundance, composition, and distribution in coastal environments, identifying key environmental, spatial, and temporal factors driving microplastic distribution while demonstrating the value of integrating water sports communities into scientific monitoring.
Monitoring contaminants of emerging concern in aquatic systems through the lens of citizen science
This study explores how citizen science can help monitor contaminants of emerging concern, including micro- and nanoplastics, in aquatic systems, addressing the geographic and temporal gaps in current professional monitoring networks.
Volunteer microplastic sampling in Puget Sound: strategies for broad inclusion, education, and research
This paper describes a volunteer microplastic sampling program in Puget Sound, Washington, examining strategies for community participation and data quality in citizen science monitoring of marine plastic pollution. The program demonstrates how broad public involvement can generate spatially extensive environmental data at low cost.