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Are mangrove ecosystems plastic accumulation zones?
Shaira Kyle M Tagalog1, Maria Kristina O Paler2, Mark Edward M Walton3
1Southeast Asia Marine Plastics (SEAMaP) Project, School of Engineering, University of San Carlos, Talamban, Cebu City, 6000, Philippines.
The Science of the Total Environment
|December 21, 2025
Summary
Marine plastic pollution in Philippine mangroves was studied over a year. Despite removing over 12,500 items, plastic loads didn't significantly decrease, suggesting plastics don't accumulate in these vital ecosystems.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Marine Biology
- Ecology
Background:
- Mangrove ecosystems are vulnerable to marine plastic pollution.
- Comprehensive studies on plastic accumulation in mangroves are scarce.
- This research addresses the knowledge gap in mangrove plastic pollution dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To simultaneously monitor macroplastic and microplastic pollution in Philippine mangroves.
- To assess the effectiveness of macroplastic removal on plastic loads within mangrove ecosystems.
- To investigate the accumulation patterns and sources of plastic debris in mangroves.
Main Methods:
- Over a year, macroplastics (>1 cm) and microplastics (<0.5 cm) were monitored in nine Philippine mangrove sites.
- Plastic removal plots were compared to reference plots, with surface macroplastics removed periodically.
- Microplastics were extracted from sediment, identified by FTIR spectroscopy, and correlated with macroplastic data.
Main Results:
- Macroplastics were predominantly packaging sachets, bags, and fragments; microplastics were mainly PE, PP, PA, and PET.
- A strong positive correlation was found between macroplastic and microplastic quantities (r=0.63, p<0.001).
- Macroplastic removal did not significantly alter plastic loads in removal plots compared to reference plots.
Conclusions:
- Macroplastics appear not to accumulate in mangrove ecosystems.
- Plastic redistribution or fragmentation into microplastics may explain the lack of accumulation.
- Mangrove ecosystems may act as conduits rather than sinks for plastic pollution.
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