Microplastics in Mediterranean Coastal Countries: A Recent Overview

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to present information gathered from studies regarding the current status and challenges of microplastics (MPs) in Mediterranean coastal counties. MPs are considered emerging pollutants, and their effect on fish and on the final consumer through the trophic food chain are of great concern. Studies from almost all of the Mediterranean coastal countries are gathered and discussed. The source of MPs, as well as their transfer and accumulation are reviewed. In addition, the laboratory techniques for sampling, analysis and characterization of MPs are presented. Moreover, the current regulations for MPs restrictions in Europe will be discussed. Finally, the authors present the current challenges on the topic and provide recommendations for future work.

Keywords

• microplastics
• review
• Mediterranean
• marine
• characterization