Microplastic distribution and its implications for human health through marine environments

Journal of Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 382, P. 125427 - 125427

Published: April 18, 2025

Language: Английский

---

The distribution of subsurface microplastics in the ocean

Nature, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 641(8061), P. 51 - 61

Published: April 30, 2025

Marine plastic pollution is a global issue, with microplastics (1 µm-5 mm) dominating the measured count1,2. Although can be found throughout oceanic water column3,4, most studies collect from surface waters (less than about 50-cm depth) using net tows5. Consequently, our understanding of distribution across ocean depths more limited. Here we synthesize depth-profile data 1,885 stations collected between 2014 and 2024 to provide insights into potential transport mechanisms subsurface (below depth, which not usually sampled by traditional practices3,6) column. We find that abundances range 10-4 104 particles per cubic metre. Microplastic size affects their distribution; abundance small µm 100 µm) decreases gradually indicating even longer lifespan in column compared larger (100 5,000 tend concentrate at stratified layers. Mid-gyre accumulation zones extend but are concentrated top m predominantly consist microplastics. Our analysis suggests constitute measurable fraction total particulate organic carbon, increasing 0.1% 30 5% 2,000 m. study establishes benchmark, findings underscore lack standardization creates substantial uncertainties, making it challenging advance comprehension its impact on environment.

Language: Английский

---

Short-term buoyant microplastic transport patterns driven by wave evolution, breaking, and orbital motion in coast

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 201, P. 116248 - 116248

Published: March 13, 2024

Language: Английский

---

Calcite carbonate sinks low-density plastic debris in open oceans

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: June 6, 2024

The vertical settling of plastic debris in oceans is poorly understood. A large share low-density microplastics (LDMPs) are largely absent from sea surfaces. present study employs a model that considers the potential an overlooked microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) process and new motion equations for irregular LDMPs. Here we show LDMPs model, exhibiting damped oscillation pattern, quite different biofouling models. Furthermore, size range 10-200 µm most likely to gain sufficient density at biofouling/MICP stage independently sink ocean floor with relatively small drag coefficients, potentially explaining selective enrichment oceanic sediment. shape exhibit strong non-linear effects on patterns Overall, highlights importance calcite-mediated sinking open oceans.

Language: Английский

---

Navigating the difference of riverine microplastic movement footprint into the sea: Particle properties influence

Journal of Hazardous Materials, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 476, P. 134888 - 134888

Published: June 16, 2024

Language: Английский

---