Articles | Volume 22, issue 19
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-5139-2025
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-5139-2025
Research article
 | 
30 Sep 2025
Research article |  | 30 Sep 2025

Terrestrial and marine plastic pollution outlook in the Mediterranean region: a box-model approach based on OECD policy scenarios

Théo Segur and Jeroen E. Sonke

Cited articles

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Allen, S., Allen, D., Moss, K., Le Roux, G., Phoenix, V. R., and Sonke, J. E.: Examination of the ocean as a source for atmospheric microplastics, PLOS ONE, 15, e0232746, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0232746, 2020. a, b
Allen, S., Allen, D., Baladima, F., Phoenix, V. R., Thomas, J. L., Le Roux, G., and Sonke, J. E.: Evidence of free tropospheric and long-range transport of microplastic at Pic du Midi Observatory, Nat. Commun., 12, 7242, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-27454-7, 2021b. a
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Short summary
Our paper provides a quantification of plastic pollution in the Mediterranean region and several policy scenario projections based on OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) data toward 2100. We estimate a 4-fold increase in Mediterranean marine plastic stock by 2060 and that the implementation of terrestrial plastic cleanup can significantly help to reduce plastic pollution transfer from land to sea. Our results provide insight for policymakers, which is needed at the regional scale in the context of the UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) plastic treaty.
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