ARCHELON took part in a recent global study (Botterell et al., 2025) that has uncovered alarming levels of microplastic contamination on marine turtle nesting beaches around the world. The study found that nearly 45% of the 209 sea turtle nesting sites sampled across six oceans were polluted with microplastics! ARCHELON’s research team, including the organization’s founder D. Margaritoulis and experts G. Chalkias and O. Paxinos, played a significant role in collecting data from Greece’s beaches that enriched the global scope of the study.

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles ranging from 1-5 mm in size. Their smaller size (in comparison with other plastic debris) means they can interact with a greater number of species and life stages, across trophic levels, and can permeate habitats. Coastal beaches can be transformed into microplastic “hot spots” due to their proximity to urban areas and physical processes, such as currents and winds, that aid their resuspension, transportation, and deposition.

The research revealed that the Mediterranean was the most heavily affected region, with up to 80% of beaches contaminated by microplastics. Even remote island locations, far from major urban centers, were found to have significant amounts of microplastic debris, illustrating that no beach, no matter how isolated, is immune to this growing global problem. Foam and plastic fragments were the most common types of microplastics found, with polyethylene being the most frequently detected material.

The implications of these findings can be dire for marine life and particularly for sea turtles, as they heavily rely on coastal environments for a crucial part of their reproduction (nesting). Other studies have shown that the irregular properties of microplastics can disturb the natural beach environment, like sediment permeability or sand temperature, leading to reduced nesting success. Although the pollution levels found on sampled beaches within this study do not appear to be of immediate conservation threat (like the effects of climate change), levels of beach microplastics are only likely to increase.

The importance of this study cannot be overstated. According to Margaritoulis, “It sets the stage for future research and conservation efforts aimed at mitigating plastic pollution, emphasizing the need for global cooperation to protect marine turtles and their habitats.”

ARCHELON remains at the forefront of efforts to address these threats through research, public awareness campaigns, and hands-on conservation work. Support us to keep going! Make a donation today!

Read the complete paper here: A Global Assessment of Microplastic Abundance and Characteristics in Sea Turtle Nesting Sites