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Face masks related to COVID-19 in the beaches of the Moroccan Mediterranean: An emerging source of plastic pollution
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Face masks became common litter during the COVID-19 pandemic, including on tourist beaches. Plastic pollution from face masks on beaches threatens the marine environment. The study monitored five tourist beaches along the Moroccan Mediterranean from February to June 2021 for the presence of face masks. Ninety-six percent of the face masks were single-use. The average mask density was 0.0012 x 0.0008 m⁻². The study concluded that due to the large number of masks introduced on the beach, microplastic pollution could increase dramatically in the Moroccan Mediterranean and called for significant integrated efforts to reduce these.

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