Plastic pellets, bio-beads and other microplastics are polluting coastlines around the world, with new research showing sharp regional differences in the types and concentrations of plastic found. The study, published in Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, examined nearly 59,000 pieces of plastic to map global patterns of coastal pollution. ShippingLead author Dr David Jones from the University of Portsmouth said: “Our results show that plastic pollution is not just a local problem, it’s a global crisis, with different regions facing different challenges. Alongside the pollution data, the study demonstrated how citizen science can work on a global scale. However, fewer than one in five registrants went on to submit data, underlining the challenges of sustaining volunteer engagement.