September 11, 2025 — Critical wildlife habitats are exposed to pollution risk in the seas off the southern United States, with implications for human health and food security. “Most of the pollution comes from rivers and not from wastewater treatment plants,” says CMCC scientist Annalisa Bracco, co-author of the study that used advanced computer models to track tiny plastic particles across three years.
The Gulf of Mexico is facing a growing threat from microplastic pollution, with new research revealing how tiny plastic particles are accumulating in areas crucial to marine life including sea turtles, red snapper, and dolphins.
A study published in the journal npj Emerging Contaminants demonstrates how computer modeling can map the movement and impact of these pollutants with unprecedented precision.
The research, co-authored by CMCC scientist Annalisa Bracco, used advanced numerical models to track different sizes and types of microplastics over short periods across three years in the northern Gulf of Mexico. The findings paint a concerning picture of pollution patterns that directly threaten both marine ecosystems and the seafood that reaches consumers across the globe.