@article{fdi:010094324,
  title = {{C}oncentration gradient of plastic debris larger than 500 µm detected across the {S}outhwest {I}ndian ocean},
  author = {{T}hibault, {M}. and {F}ajeau, {A}. and {R}amanampananjy, {A}. and {R}oyer, {S}. {J}. and {F}ustemberg, {G}. and {M}arillac, {V}. and {G}indrey, {J}. and {S}aloma, {A}. and {C}ondet, {M}. and {M}angion, {P}. and {B}urt, {A}. and {E}gger, {M}. and {A}my, {M}. and {J}aquemet, {S}. and {M}ulochau, {T}. and {J}ourand, {P}hilippe and ter {H}alle, {A}. and {L}e {C}orre, {M}. and {L}ebreton, {L}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{M}arine plastic pollution is increasing in the world's ocean, with the {I}ndian {O}cean understudied compared to the {P}acific and {A}tlantic {O}ceans. {T}his study investigates plastic pollution in the {S}outhwest {I}ndian {O}cean, focusing on a size range from large debris to microplastics (> 500 mu m). {U}sing visual surveys and manta trawling, we assessed plastic concentrations, compositions, and polymer types across 19 oceanographic campaigns. {A} total of 11,438 litter items were identified, with over 70% consisting of plastics. {L}arger plastic debris was predominantly observed near {G}lorieuses {I}slands during visual surveys, while microplastics were more prevalent offshore, collected through manta trawling. {W}e observed a gradient of increasing plastic concentrations along the 30 degrees/33 degrees {S} latitudes, from 40 degrees {E} (macroplastics: 10 items/km(2); microplastics: 10(3) items/km(2)) to 65 degrees {E} (macroplastics: 10(2) items/km(2); microplastics: 10(5) items/km(2)). {T}he majority of plastic debris consisted of hard fragments, primarily polyethylene (45.7%) and polypropylene (26.7%). {O}ur findings provide new insights into microplastic concentrations in offshore regions, highlight the significant degradation of plastic debris, and emphasize the need for further research to identify and map the {I}ndian {O}cean's garbage patch along these latitudes.},
  keywords = {{I}ndian {O}cean ; {M}arine litter ; {V}isual survey ; {M}anta trawling ; {M}icroplastics ; {OCEAN} {INDIEN}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{S}cientific {R}eports - {N}ature},
  volume = {15},
  numero = {1},
  pages = {22364 [10 p.]},
  ISSN = {2045-2322},
  year = {2025},
  DOI = {10.1038/s41598-025-02893-0},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010094324},
}