Review
Environmental Sciences
Ivan Hernandez, Jaime S. Davies, Veerle A. I. Huvenne, Awantha Dissanayake
Summary: The presence and impact of marine litter in submarine canyons is still poorly understood and there are significant gaps in knowledge, particularly regarding the impact of macroplastics in deep-sea environments. There is a lack of standardization in study methodologies, including sampling techniques and classification protocols, which hinders the comparison and analysis of research findings. Furthermore, there is a need for more comprehensive reporting on the interactions between litter and the surrounding environment and biota. Overall, this study highlights the urgent need for standardized methodologies to fully understand and address the impact of marine litter in submarine canyons.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ozge Ozden, Sinem Yildirim, Wayne J. Fuller, Brendan J. Godley
Summary: The study found that plastic bags, plastic pieces, drinks containers, and caps/lids are the main sources of coastal marine litter in the Eastern Mediterranean region, indicating that the marine litter problem here is mainly due to dumping and lack of effective waste management measures.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mark L. Mallory, Julia Baak, Carina Gjerdrum, Olivia E. Mallory, Brittany Manley, Cedar Swan, Jennifer F. Provencher
Summary: This study provides the first measures of anthropogenic litter densities in the Arctic regions of Canada and West Greenland, revealing that most litter is plastic and is more densely distributed near communities. Despite predictions, litter densities did not decrease with increasing latitude, indicating the widespread distribution of this global pollutant in the Arctic.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mine B. Tekman, Lars Gutow, Melanie Bergmann
Summary: This study presents the findings of an extensive survey on floating marine debris in the Northeast Atlantic. A total of 276 ship-based surveys were conducted between 2015 and 2020, revealing spatial and temporal variations in debris concentrations. Plastic was the dominant type of debris, with the highest concentrations observed in the North Sea. Although the Central Arctic had zero debris concentration, floating debris was still present in this region. The study also found correlations between debris concentrations and environmental and spatial variables. Additionally, the results indicated that the seafloor acts as a sink for marine debris, with pollution levels 500 times lower compared to those on the seafloor. The Arctic, despite its remoteness, is facing threats from plastic pollution, in addition to the impacts of rapid climate change.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Laurent Lebreton, Sarah-Jeanne Royer, Axel Peytavin, Wouter Jan Strietman, Ingeborg Smeding-Zuurendonk, Matthias Egger
Summary: The subtropical oceanic gyre in the North Pacific Ocean is heavily polluted by floating plastic debris, with fishing nets and ropes being the main contributors. This study emphasizes the significant role of the fishing industry in addressing global plastic pollution.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Daniel Gonzalez-Fernandez, Andres Cozar, Georg Hanke, Josue Viejo, Carmen Morales-Caselles, Rigers Bakiu, Damia Barcelo, Filipa Bessa, Antoine Bruge, Maria Cabrera, Javier Castro-Jimenez, Mel Constant, Roberto Crosti, Yuri Galletti, Ahmet E. Kideys, Nino Machitadze, Joana Pereira de Brito, Maria Pogojeva, Nuno Ratola, Julia Rigueira, Elisa Rojo-Nieto, Oksana Savenko, Rosanna Schoeneich-Argent, Grzegorz Siedlewicz, Giuseppe Suaria, Myrto Tourgeli
Summary: Riverine systems act as pathways for waste to reach the ocean, with an estimated 307-925 million litter items, 82% of which is plastic, being released annually from Europe into the ocean.
NATURE SUSTAINABILITY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jennifer K. Adams, Bethany Y. Dean, Samantha N. Athey, Liisa M. Jantunen, Sarah Bernstein, Gary Stern, Miriam L. Diamond, Sarah A. Finkelstein
Summary: This study conducted the first Canadian Arctic-wide investigation of anthropogenic particles in marine sediments, revealing that microfibers and microplastics, with a significant portion being anthropogenic cellulose fibers, are the main components. Concentrations of these particles in Canadian Arctic sediments exceeded those in urban areas near point sources of plastic pollution.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Lucy C. M. Omeyer, Emily M. Duncan, Neil Angelo S. Abreo, Jo Marie V. Acebes, Lea A. AngSinco-Jimenez, Sabiqah T. Anuar, Lemnuel V. Aragones, Gonzalo Araujo, Luis R. Carrasco, Marcus A. H. Chua, Muhammad R. Cordova, Lantun P. Dewanti, Emilyn Q. Espiritu, Jovanie B. Garay, Elitza S. Germanov, Jade Getliff, Eva Horcajo-Berna, Yusof S. Ibrahim, Zeehan Jaafar, Jose Isagani B. Janairo, Thanda Ko Gyi, Danielle Kreb, Cheng Ling Lim, Youna Lyons, Putu L. K. Mustika, Mei Lin Neo, Sirius Z. H. Ng, Buntora Pasaribu, Agamuthu Pariatamby, Cindy Peter, Lindsay Porter, Noir P. Purba, Ernesto T. Santa Cruz, Shahriar Shams, Kirsten F. Thompson, Daniel S. Torres, Rodney Westerlaken, Tuempong Wongtawan, Brendan J. Godley
Summary: Southeast Asia is highly biodiverse and a major contributor to global marine plastic pollution. However, knowledge about the impacts of plastic pollution on marine megafauna in the region is lacking. A literature review and expert elicitation were conducted to gather information on cases of entanglement and ingestion of plastic by various marine species in Southeast Asia. The study found a limited number of published cases, especially for seabirds, highlighting the need for additional funding and data to address this issue.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
La Daana K. Kanhai, Hamish Asmath, Judith F. Gobin
Summary: Plastic pollution is a persistent issue in the Caribbean Large Marine Ecosystem (CLME), originating from land and marine-based sources. Rivers and oceanic currents play important roles in the transport of plastic debris. Plastic debris poses a threat to the biodiversity of the CLME with specific negative effects.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Limnology
Cecilia Martin, Charlotte A. Young, Letizia Valluzzi, Carlos M. Duarte
Summary: About 15 Tg of plastic enter the ocean each year, with the majority accumulating in marine sediments rather than floating on the surface. From 1950 to 2010, an estimated 170 Tg (25-900 Tg) of nonfibrous plastic has accumulated in marine sediments globally, confirming their role as a major sink for plastic.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Bijeesh Kozhikkodan Veettil, Nguyen Thuy An Hua, Dong Doan Van, Ngo Xuan Quang
Summary: Vietnam is ranked fourth in the world for marine plastic pollution and is facing a serious environmental issue. This study investigates the current situation of coastal and marine plastic pollution in Vietnam, including the sources, sinks, and solutions. Mangroves, dunes, subsoil, seagrass meadows, and deep oceans are identified as major sources and sinks of plastic litter. To tackle this problem, actions such as cleaning up litter, preventing further waste, enforcing legislation, community education, and penalties for litter dumping are essential, as well as implementing proper waste management strategies at local and regional levels.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Md. Saiful Islam, Khamphe Phoungthong, Abu Reza Md. Towfiqul Islam, Mir Mohammad Ali, Zulhilmi Ismail, Shamsuddin Shahid, Md. Humayun Kabir, Abubakr M. Idris
Summary: This study conducted a preliminary investigation on the sources, abundance, distribution, and pollution of marine litter in the marine ecosystem in Bangladesh and found that plastics were the major pollutants. The findings highlight the potential threat that the abundance, distribution, and pollution of marine litter along the coastal belts pose to the entire ecosystem. This study will contribute to the development of effective strategies for managing and removing marine litter along the coast.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ivo Int-Veen, Pedro Nogueira, Jason Isigkeit, Reinhold Hanel, Ulrike Kammann
Summary: This study analyzed the abundance and composition of seafloor litter in the Baltic and North Sea, revealing significant differences between the two seas and the dominance of plastics, particularly polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyamide. The majority of polymers identified were positively buoyant in seawater, indicating that polymer density is not the main driver of vertical plastic litter transportation. Plastics at the seafloor essentially represent all polymers entering marine environments.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alexandr N. Benzik, Alexei M. Orlov, Mikhail A. Novikov
Summary: Based on bottom trawl surveys conducted in the Siberian Arctic seas in 2019, it was found that no seabed litter was detected in the East Siberian Sea and the Laptev Sea, while debris was only found in the Kara and Chukchi seas. Plastic was the most frequently occurring type of seabed litter, with the main source of garbage in the Kara Sea being related to fishing activities in the Barents Sea.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Review
Ecology
David Gremillet, Sebastien Descamps
Summary: Global warming has a greater impact on the Arctic than any other region. Media continuously highlight the threat of climate change to Arctic wildlife, particularly iconic megafauna like polar bears, whales, and seabirds. However, our understanding of the ecological impacts on marine megafauna in the Arctic is limited, with significant gaps in research in the Russian Arctic and a focus on exploited species like cod. This article presents a synthesis of recent scientific advances and outlines ten key questions for future research, advocating for a methodology that combines long-term Arctic monitoring, involvement of local communities, and the use of high-tech and big data approaches.
TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Emilia Uurasjarvi, Minna Paakkonen, Outi Setala, Arto Koistinen, Maiju Lehtiniemi
Summary: In the Baltic Sea, water stratification creates thin layers where microplastics, mainly consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate, accumulate. Sampling from deep water layers in addition to surface waters is necessary to obtain a comprehensive overview of the abundance of microplastics in stratified water bodies. The density of microplastics did not show a trend with sampling depth, likely due to the effects of biofilm formation on sinking rates.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Review
Polymer Science
Benjamin O. Asamoah, Emilia Uurasjarvi, Jukka Raty, Arto Koistinen, Matthieu Roussey, Kai-Erik Peiponen
Summary: This review discusses the utilization of various optical measurement methods for screening microplastics from their natural environments, with a focus on in situ detection techniques and the development of portable optical sensors. The potential of remote sensing methods and the necessity of integrated optical solutions for continuous detection of water-based microplastics are highlighted.
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Thiago Henrique Scarabello Stape, Mustafa Murat Mutluay, Leo Tjaderhane, Emilia Uurasjarvi, Arto Koistinen, Arzu Tezvergil-Mutluay
Summary: The study found that DMSO-containing pretreatments have significant effects on long-term bond strength, hybrid layer quality, monomer conversion, and collagen structure, suggesting that they could improve the longevity of resin-dentin bonds.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jari Hanninen, Katja Makinen, Klaus Nordhausen, Jussi Laaksonlaita, Olli Loisa, Joni Virta
Summary: In this study, a forecasting tool for predicting the state of eutrophication in the Archipelago Sea was developed using a Generalized Additive Mixed Model (GAMM) fitted to marine environmental monitoring data. The tool utilizes the Seili-index, derived from the data collected by an automated profiling buoy, to forecast the chlorophyll-alpha (chl-a) concentration in the seawater. The accuracy of the predictions was validated using a separate 2019 data set, demonstrating the tool's effectiveness in predicting chl-a levels, particularly in the upper water layer. The study also applied GAMMs to predict cyanobacteria blooms based on temperature and wind conditions, showing promising results for short-term predictions. The use of automated monitoring data and the GAMM model in assessing natural resource management and pollution risks is discussed.
ENVIRONMENTAL MODELING & ASSESSMENT
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Maciej M. Telesinski, Magdalena Lacka, Agnieszka Kujawa, Marek Zajaczkowski
Summary: The Nordic Seas play a crucial role in global ocean circulation, and this research reconstructs the history of Atlantic Water advection in this region over the past 14,000 years. The study reveals the influence of various factors on the flow of Atlantic Water and its changes over time.
Article
Fisheries
Katja Makinen, Marjut Rajasilta, Ermei Makila, Sami Jokinen, Jari Hanninen
Summary: This study reports the observation of vateritic crystallization in the sagittal otoliths of the Baltic herring in the northern Baltic Sea. The existence of vaterite in the otoliths has been observed in various species globally, but there are few reports from the brackish Baltic Sea. The frequency of vaterite showed significant variation in different years, suggesting the need for long-term studies to identify the underlying causes.
JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Ngoc-Loi Nguyen, Joanna Pawlowska, Ines Barrenechea Angeles, Marek Zajaczkowski, Jan Pawlowski
Summary: This study provides the first assessment of Arctic foraminifera diversity based on metabarcoding of sediment DNA samples, revealing high genetic novelty and differences in community composition influenced by water masses.
Article
Geography, Physical
Dhanushka Devendra, Magdalena Lacka, Maciej M. Telesinski, Tine L. Rasmussen, Kamila Sztybor, Marek Zajaczkowski
Summary: This study reconstructs the paleoceanographic forcing of the Atlantic Water flow in the Northwestern Greenland Sea over the past 35,000 years, providing insights into its variability and its impact on climate conditions and environmental changes.
GLOBAL AND PLANETARY CHANGE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Katarzyna Melaniuk, Kamila Sztybor, Tina Treude, Stefan Sommer, Marek Zajaczkowski, Tine L. Rasmussen
Summary: This study examines the response of living benthic foraminifera to environmental successions in a cold-seep ecosystem. The results show that the distribution patterns of foraminifera change according to the progressing environmental succession. However, foraminifera cannot be used as exclusive indicators of past methane seepage intensity.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Miika Kotila, Kati M. M. Suominen, Ville V. V. Vasko, Anna S. S. Blomberg, Aleksi Lehikoinen, Tommi Andersson, Jouni Aspi, Tony Cederberg, Jari Haenninen, Jasmin Inkinen, Janne Koskinen, Goeran Lundberg, Katja Makinen, Markku Rontti, Martin Snickars, Jostein Solbakken, Janne Sundell, Ilkka Syvanpera, Silja Vuorenmaa, Jari Ylonen, Eero J. J. Vesterinen, Thomas M. M. Lilley
Summary: The distribution ranges and spatio-temporal patterns of boreal bats are poorly known. In this study, a passive-acoustic sampling setup was established in Finland to investigate the effect of latitude on bat species composition and activity patterns in northern Europe. Bat calls were identified and seasonal activity patterns were modeled for three target species across seven sampling years. The results indicate an increase in activity for E. nilssonii and Myotis spp. since 2015, with significant latitude-dependent seasonal patterns. The passive-acoustic monitoring network proved to be an effective and cost-efficient method for studying bat activity and analyzing spatio-temporal patterns.
Article
Geography, Physical
Marta Szczesniak, Mikolaj Kokocinski, Robert Jagodzinski, Krzysztof Pleskot, Marek Zajaczkowski, Witold Szczucinski
Summary: During the 2010 flood of the Vistula River, a thin layer of medium-grained sand deposits extended up to 70 km into the Gulf of Gdańsk (Baltic Sea). The study aimed to identify flood indicators and reveal paleoflood records in sediment cores from the Gulf of Gdańsk. Analysis of surface samples and sediment cores showed that large flood deposits were not preserved after a year in water depth less than 30 m, while deeper cores consisted of sandy mud with unimodal and occasionally bimodal grain size distributions. Diatom analysis supported the interpretation of certain layers as deposited during river flood events. Evaluation of major flood events in the past was challenging due to changes in river mouth positions.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Fazel Abdolahpur Monikh, Anders Baun, Nanna B. Hartmann, Raine Kortet, Jarkko Akkanen, Jae-Seong Lee, Huahong Shi, Elma Lahive, Emilia Uurasjarvi, Nathalie Tufenkji, Korinna Altmann, Yosri Wiesner, Hans-Peter Grossart, Willie Peijnenburg, Jussi V. K. Kukkonen
Summary: This study proposes an exposure protocol that takes into account the particle-specific properties and dynamic behavior of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs). It describes the production and characterization of more realistic MNPs as well as the development of toxicity tests in soil and aquatic environments. The protocol can be applied by students, academics, environmental risk assessors, and industries.
Article
Oceanography
Maciej M. Telesinski, Vera Pospelova, Kenneth Neil Mertens, Malgorzata Kucharska, Marek Zajaczkowski
Summary: Due to the Arctic amplification effect, the Svalbard archipelago is an important area for studying ongoing environmental changes. The most important factor controlling the environment in the region is the Atlantic Water, while factors such as sea-ice cover and tidewater glaciers become increasingly important on a local scale. Two dinocyst species can be considered as indicators of regional winter drift ice. However, the relationship between benthic foraminifera and environmental parameters is more difficult to interpret.
Article
Ecology
Johannes Sahlsten, Marjut Rajasilta, Katja Makinen, Jari Hanninen
Summary: The prevalence of Corynosoma spp. in great cormorants and Baltic herring in the northern Baltic Sea was studied from 2014-2019. Results suggest that cormorants may act as definitive hosts for these acanthocephalan parasites. Adults were more infected than juveniles, possibly due to their larger size, and a lower prevalence was found in juveniles, potentially because of their smaller prey.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE
(2023)
Article
Geology
Marta Kisiel, Michal Skiba, Mateusz Damrat, Artur Kuligiewicz, Katarzyna Maj-szeliga, Magdalena Makiel, Marek Zajaczkowski, Dorota Salata
Summary: The study aimed to understand the early diagenetic transformations of clay minerals in the brackish environment of Gdansk Bay. Samples from the Vistula River loads and sediments of the Vistula delta front and prodelta were analyzed. The mineral compositions, layer charge, and major element content of the clay fractions were determined. The results showed that the illite-smectite mixed layered minerals were present in all samples, with variations in other clay minerals and interlayer charge. The smectite component underwent chloritization and illitization, and changes in mineral composition were attributed to selective adsorption and fixation of K+ from seawater.
ANNALES SOCIETATIS GEOLOGORUM POLONIAE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Atefeh Zendehboudi, Azam Mohammadi, Sina Dobaradaran, Gabriel E. De-la-Torre, Bahman Ramavandi, Seyed Enayat Hashemi, Reza Saeedi, Emran Moradpour Tayebi, Ahmad Vafaee, Amirhossein Darabi
Summary: This study investigated the characteristics and ecological risks of microplastics (MPs) in ballast water for the first time, and found high levels of MP pollution. These findings contribute to our understanding of the sources and risks of microplastics in marine ecosystems.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rose Boahemaa Pinto, Linda Bogerd, Martine van der Ploeg, Kwame Duah, Remko Uijlenhoet, Tim H. M. van Emmerik
Summary: Catchment-scale plastic pollution assessments provide insights into the sources, sinks, and pathways of plastic pollution. We propose an approach to quantify macroplastic transport and density in the Odaw catchment, Ghana, and find that the urban riverine zone has the highest transport, while the urban tidal zone has the highest riverbank and land macroplastic density.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Aliya Baidourela, Qian Sun, Gongxin Yang, Umut Halik, Zhongkai Dong, Kaixu Cai, Guili Sun, Wenya Zhang, Sisi Cheng
Summary: The study focused on heavy metal pollution in the green vegetation of a suburban industrial area in Tuokexun County, Xinjiang, China. The results showed that the overall level of heavy metal pollution in the soil was minor, with mercury (Hg) being the most severe contamination, likely caused by human activities. The composition of heavy metal elements in trees was more stable compared to grass and shrubs, with varying concentrations across different vegetation. Shrubbery was found to be the most effective in heavy metal restoration, and there were disparities in heavy metal enrichment among different vegetation types.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
James H. Bridson, Hayden Masterton, Beatrix Theobald, Regis Risani, Fraser Doake, Jessica A. Wallbank, Stefan D. M. Maday, Gavin Lear, Robert Abbel, Dawn A. Smith, Joanne M. Kingsbury, Olga Pantos, Grant L. Northcott, Sally Gaw
Summary: Plastic pollution has significant environmental impacts, largely due to chemical additives. However, the behavior of plastic additives in marine environments is not well understood. A marine deployment experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of weathering on the extractables profile of four types of plastics in New Zealand over a period of nine months. The concentration of additives in polyethylene and oxo-degradable polyethylene was strongly influenced by artificial weathering, while polyamide 6 and polyethylene terephthalate showed minimal change. These findings emphasize the importance of considering leaching and weathering effects on plastic composition when assessing the potential impact and risk of plastic pollution in receiving environments.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alan G. Scarlett, Francis D. Spilsbury, Steven J. Rowland, Marthe Monique Gagnon, Kliti Grice
Summary: This study used diamondoid hydrocarbon distributions to identify the sources of environmental oil contamination. A suite of 20 diamondoids was found to accumulate in fish adipose tissue. The scatter plots of indices between fish and exposure oils showed a close to ideal 1:1 relationship, which can be used to determine the origin of the oil.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shan Jiang, Mengmeng Wan, Kun Lin, Yanshan Chen, Rui Wang, Liju Tan, Jiangtao Wang
Summary: In this study, the concentration, composition, distribution, and sources of PCBs in surface seawater of the Bohai Bay were analyzed. The results showed that PCBs in the Bohai Bay had high concentrations and were primarily derived from land-based sources such as port activities and river inputs. The PCBs in the Bohai Bay may come from commercial PCBs and their incineration products, municipal landfills, wood and coal combustion, and industrial activities, etc.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Icaro S. A. Porto, Saulo V. A. Dantas, Caio S. A. Felix, Francisco A. S. Cunha, Jailson B. de Andrade, Sergio L. C. Ferreira
Summary: This study evaluated the risks of mercury levels in sardines consumed by low-income population in Salvador, Brazil. The results showed that the mercury content in the sampled sardines posed no risks to human health. This study is significant as most sardines in Salvador come from Todos os Santos Bay, which has a history of mercury contamination.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiahui Chen, Chengyu Yuan, Guanqun Zhai, Guangcheng Chen, Heng Zhu, Jun Liu, Yong Ye
Summary: This study investigated the combined influences of species selection and site elevation on greenhouse gas fluxes from restored mangrove soils. The results suggest that Avicennia marina should be selected for mangrove restoration to minimize carbon release and reduce the influence of greenhouse gas fluxes on the global greenhouse effect.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Emmanuel Onyeabor, Uju Obuka
Summary: The Gulf of Guinea region in Africa is a significant area for coastal countries, playing a vital role in their economic and environmental development. This study aims to reduce marine plastic pollution in the region by utilizing legal instruments.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yuanli Liu, Stephan Luttjohann, Alvise Vianello, Claudia Lorenz, Fan Liu, Jes Vollertsen
Summary: Large area attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (LAATR-FTIR) is a novel technique for detecting small microplastics, with limited accuracy for large microplastics. However, it shows promise in homogeneous matrices. The spectra quality is comparable between transmission mode and LAATR mode.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Phuc T. D. Le, Andrew M. Fischer, Britta D. Hardesty, Heidi J. Auman, Chris Wilcox
Summary: This study explores the relationship between ocean currents and the accumulation of floating marine debris (FMD) and finds that higher concentrations of FMD are associated with frontal frequencies (FF). FMD is primarily trapped in accumulation zones between fronts and the coastline, which have high biodiversity value.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rosa Sawan, Perine Doyen, Florence Viudes, Rachid Amara, Celine Mahfouz
Summary: Few studies have examined the impact of urbanization and meteorological events on microplastics discharged into the sea through rivers. Surface water samples were collected from two Lebanese rivers, with differing degrees of urbanization, during dry and wet periods. The results showed that the most industrialized river had a significantly higher abundance of microplastics compared to the less-industrialized river. There was also a correlation between particle contamination and the season at each site, with microplastic concentrations highest on the first day of the wet season. These findings highlight the importance of considering meteorological events in accurately assessing plastic pollution influx into coastal waters.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Katherine R. Shaw, Jonathan L. Whitney, Eileen M. Nalley, Madeline C. Schmidbauer, Megan J. Donahue, Jesse Black, Raquel N. Corniuk, Kellie Teague, Rachel Sandquist, Catherine Pirkle, Rachel Dacks, Max Sudnovsky, Jennifer M. Lynch
Summary: This study examines the ingestion of plastic in reef fish in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Plastic particles were found in the gastrointestinal tracts of multiple fish species. However, further analysis revealed that these particles were actually natural materials and posed no threat to human consumers.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Revati Hardikar, C. K. Haridevi, Shantaj Deshbhratar
Summary: This study investigated the variability in phytoplankton functional structure using a trait-based approach and explored the relationship between species traits and environmental factors, as well as their impact on ecosystem functioning. The results revealed that morphological traits, temperature, and ammonia played a decisive role in the seasonal succession of phytoplankton species. It was found that certain traits favored higher biomass production but might hinder energy transfer efficiency. The strong correlation between environmental variables and phytoplankton functional structure supports the practical implementation of a trait-based approach in studying phytoplankton community dynamics under different environmental conditions.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Engki A. Kisnarti, Nining Sari Ningsih, Mutiara R. Putri, Nani Hendiarti, Bernhard Mayer
Summary: This study examines the movement patterns of plastic marine debris in Indonesian waters, revealing that Indonesia contributes significantly to transboundary marine debris in the Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, and the South China Sea. Most of the debris remains in Indonesian waters and moves back and forth due to the influence of monsoon currents.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2024)
