Part of a series of articles titled Picturing the Unseen.
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New Research Finds Microplastics on Sea Turtle Beaches
The study establishes a globally comparable database of microplastics.
By Hilary Frandsen, Olivia Hamilton, and Donna Shaver
About this article
This article was first published online on March 31, 2026, as part of the Picturing the Unseen series.
From Botterell and others. 2025. A global assessment of microplastic abundance and characteristics on marine turtle nesting beaches. Marine Pollution Bulletin 215: 117768.
Every summer, visitors recreating on the beach, nesting sea turtles, and recently emerged hatchlings at Padre Island National Seashore come into contact with microplastics. Although their effects are still being studied, microplastics may indirectly reduce the turtle nesting success of species like the endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle.
To better understand microplastic dispersal in areas known to support nesting sea turtles, a team of researchers collected samples from around the globe. Their aim was to create a comprehensive and standardized database for microplastic locations and information. They published their findings in the June 2025 issue of Marine Pollution Bulletin.
The researchers collected samples from 209 beaches across 39 countries and 6 ocean basins, including 10 from Padre Island National Seashore. Along with data on wind patterns, ocean currents, and other factors, the samples helped them identify major microplastic hot spots.
They found “suspected microplastics” (those visually identified but not yet confirmed through further analysis) on 45 percent of the beaches in the study. Mediterranean beaches were the most contaminated (80 percent); South Pacific beaches were the least (0 percent). Forty-three percent of North Pacific beaches and 35 percent of South Atlantic beaches were contaminated. Two of the 10 Padre Island samples included microplastics. Polyethylene was the most common type of plastic confirmed through further analysis of the samples.
According to the paper authors, current microplastic levels aren’t as much a risk to sea turtles as predation and other threats. But microplastic pollution can change the nest environment, possibly by increasing moisture retention and fungal growth or, conversely, reducing moisture and drying out the eggs. This potentially affects hatchling development and success. This study established a global microplastics dataset that could guide efforts to curb microplastic contamination on turtle nesting beaches.
About the authors
Hilary Frandsen is a biologist at Padre Island National Seashore. Photo credit: NPS
Olivia Hamilton is a former Student Conservation Association intern at Padre Island National Seashore.
Donna Shaver, PhD, is the chief of the Division of Sea Turtle Science and Recovery at Padre Island National Seashore. She is also the Texas coordinator for the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network. Photo credit: NPS
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Cite this article
Frandsen, Hilary, and others. 2026. “New Research Finds Microplastics on Sea Turtle Beaches.” National Park Service, March 31, 2026. https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/psv40n1rr_new-research-finds-microplastics-on-sea-turtle-beaches.htm
Last updated: March 31, 2026