Microplastics in the Mediterranean marine environment: a combined bibliometric and systematic analysis to identify current trends and challenges

Abstract

In recent decades, the potential toxicological and environmental effects of microplastics (MPs) in the Mediterranean Sea region have received growing attention. The number of studies in this area has increased; however, presently there is no scientometric perspective addressing this topic. The purpose of this study was to identify the intellectual base and research front using the visualization and analysis software, CiteSpace, in combination with a systematic review. We retrieved 150 articles, published in print or online as an early-access article between 1979 and 2020, from the Web of Science with a topic search related to MPs, environment, and uptake by biota. We then analysed synthesized networks of co-authorship (author, institution, country), co-citation (author document, journal) and co-occurring keywords. The annual publication output has trended upwards since 2011, with interest in MP abundance in the Mediterranean Sea particularly high in the past 5 years (2016–2020). Authors based in Italy accounted for 25% of the total publications, followed by Spain (16%); but overall publications from Belgium and the Netherlands were more influential. Major research themes identified include the abundance of MPs on beaches, in surface waters, sediments and biota. Secondary microplastics, such fibres and fragments, of a wide range of sizes and chemical composition were dominant in scientific reports, albeit citizen science collection of plastic resin pellets for International Pellet Watch suggests such primary MPs are also widespread, even if their numerical abundance from such collections is unclear. Few studies reported chemical contamination of MPs in the Mediterranean albeit a significant amount of information on the level of chemical contamination of plastic resin pellets is available on the International Pellet Watch website.

A mixed method assessment of research productivity on microplastics in various compartments in the environment

“…Can-Güven ( 2020 ) studied microplastics as emerging pollutants in the atmospheres. Similarly, Papadimitriu and Allinson ( 2022 ) reported on MPs in the marine environments of the Mediterranean Sea. Also, Palmas et al ( 2021 ) reported about MPs in wastewater treatment plants, while Zhou et al ( 2022 ) investigated MPs and/or nanoplastics in the sea, ocean, beach, bay, gulf, estuary, coastline, or shoreline environments.…”

Spatial Distribution of Microplastic Contamination in the Invasive Red Sea Mussel Brachidontes pharaonis (Fischer P., 1870) Around the İskenderun Bay

“…İskenderun Bay is located inside the biggest plastic hotspot of the Mediterranean Sea (Papadimitriu & Allinson, 2022). As result of urbanized coastal line and intense industrial activities, severe microplastic pollution has been reported in the study area (Güven et al, 2017).…”

Microplastics in the Ecosystem: A Systematic Review of the Methods for Their Detection and Removal

“…Fibers released during the production of textiles and clothing made of synthetic materials [28] Toys, rubber, kitchen utensils, electrical wires, and interior paint [29] Polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS) particles in cosmetic and medical products [30] Textile fbers originating from clothing due to daily use or washing processes and released from textile manufacturing plants [31] Cosmetic formulations often contain industrially produced microspheres and plastic particles [28] It arises during the consumption and design of plastic products (for example, when plastic bottles degrade) or when macroplastics decompose into MPs [32] Product of the industrial shot-blasting process using microplastics as an abrasive agent [31] Te marketing and use of disposable plastics, focus on straws and plastic bags [33] Synthetic grass (turf ) on the football pitch [34] Material obtained from fshing nets [35] Release of drilling fuids from oil and gas exploration activities, as well as in industrial abrasive processes [34] LDP (low-density polyethylene) sheeting is commonly used in agriculture to maintain soil moisture, control weeds, and regulate temperature, a process known as plastic sheeting [34] and supraglacial [43] wastes and eventually becoming widely distributed causing damage to biotic systems by entering the food chain through direct or indirect consumption, and indirect consumption occurs when food is consumed which transports the MP particles to places further away from their point of origin [44].…”