International Marine Litter Research Unit publications
Learn more about the publications our research has featured in
Authored and edited books, chapters and reports
Authored and edited books, chapters and reports
Biodegradability of plastics in the open environment (2020)
Science Advice for Policy by European Academics
A scientific perspective on micro-plastics in nature and society (2019)
Science Advice for Policy by European Academics
From: Government Office for Science. Part of: Future of the sea. Published: 3 August 2017. A report examining the trends and implications of plastic pollution in the sea. Professor Richard C. Thompson.
Themed issue of the journal Analytical Methods showcasing high quality research in the field of microplastics in the environment now published. Guest edited by: Professors Fiona Regan, Chelsea Rochman and Richard Thompson.
Thompson, R. C. (2015) Microplastics in the Marine Environment: Sources, Consequences and Solutions. In Marine Anthropogenic Litter (ed. M. Bergman, L. Gutow & M. Klages), pp. 447: Springer. ISBN 978-3-319-16509-7
Hartley, B. L., Holland, M., Pahl, S. & R.C., Thompson. (2015) How to communicate with stakeholders about marine litter - a short guide to influencing behavioural change. Plymouth: Plymouth University Press. ISBN 978-1-8410240
Accumulation. The material politics of Plastics (2013)
Thompson, R.C. (2013) Plastics, environment and health. In: Accumulation. The material politics of Plastics. Gabrys, J., Hawkins, G. and Michael, M. pp150-169.
GEF. 2012 Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity and Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel GEF, Impacts of Marine Debris on Biodiversity: Current status and Potential Solutions, vol. 67, pp. 61. Montreal. RC Thompson was lead author.
STAP. 2011 Marine Debris as a Global Environmental Problem: Introducing a solutions based framework focused on plastic. In A STAP Information Document. , pp. 40. Washington, DC: Global Environment Facility. RC Thompson was lead author.
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, Luxembourg. Galgani, F., Fleet, D., van Franeker, J., Katsanevakis, S., Maes, T., Mouat, J. Oosterbaan, L., Poitou, I., Hanke, G., Thompson, R., Amato, E., Birkun A., and Janssen, C.
Dominant wave theory (2006)
Thompson, R.C., (2006). Plastics. In: Dominant wave theory. Hughes, A. and Carson D. pp. 112-116, Booth-Clibborn, London, UK.
Articles 2017 – present
Articles 2017 – present
Professor Richard Thompson (2024), Will the EU take the wheel to tackle car tyre pollution?, ENDS Europe,
Parker-Jurd, F.N.F., Smith, N.S., Gibson, L., Nuojua, S., Thompson, R.C. (2022) Evaluating the performance of the ‘Seabin’ – A fixed point mechanical litter removal device for sheltered waters, Science Direct,
Napper, I. E. & Thompson, R. C. (2019) Environmental Deterioration of Biodegradable, Oxo-biodegradable, Compostable, and Conventional Plastic Carrier Bags in the Sea, Soil, and Open-Air Over a 3‑Year Period Environmental Science and Technology, in press.
Ostle, C., Thompson, R.C., Broughton, D., Gregory, L. Wootton, M. & Johns, D. (2019) The rise in ocean plastics: evidence from a 60-year time series. Nature Communications.
Ostle, C., Thompson, R.C., Broughton, D., Gregory, L. Wootton, M. & Johns, D. (2019) The rise in ocean plastics: evidence from a 60-year time series. Nature Communications.
Windsor, F.M., Durance, I., Horton, A. A., Thompson, R.C. Tylet, C.R. & Ormerod, S.J. (2019) A catchment-scale perspective of plastic pollution’, Global Change Biology, 25: 11207-1221.
Hartmann, N.B., Hüffer, T., Thompson R.C., Hassellöv, M., Verschoor, A., Daugaard, A.E., Rist, S., Karlsson, T., Brennholt, N., Cole, M., Herrling, M.P., Heß, M., Ivleva, M.P., Lusher, A.L., & Wagner, M’ (2019) Are we speaking the same language? Recommendations for a definition and categorization framework for plastic debris?’ Environmental Science and Technology, 53: 1039-1047.
Green, D.S., Colgan, T.J., Thompson, R.C. & Carolgan, J.C. (2019). ‘Exposure to microplastics reduces attachment strength and alters the haemolymph proteome of blue mussels (Mytilus edulis)’ Environmental Pollution, 246: 423-434.
Botterell, Z. L. R., Beaumont, N., Dorrington, T., Steinke, M., Thompson, R.C. & Lindeque P.K. (2019). Bioavailability and effects of microplastics on marine zooplankton: A review, Environmental Pollution, 245: 98-110.
Al-Sid-Cheikh, M., Rowland, S. J., Stevenson, K., Rouleau, C., Henry, T. B. & Thompson R. C. (2018). Uptake, Whole-Body Distribution, and Depuration of Nanoplastics by the Scallop Pecten maximus at Environmentally Realistic Concentrations, Environmental Science and Technology, 52: 14480-86.
Catarino, A. I., Macchia, V., Sanderson, W. G., Thompson, R. C. & Henry T. B. (2018). Low levels of microplastics (MP) in wild mussels indicate that MP ingestion by humans is minimal compared to exposure via household fibres fallout during a meal, Environmental Pollution, 237: 675-84.
Hartley, B.L., Pahl, S., Holland, M., Alampei, I., Veiga, J. M. & Thompson R. C. (2018). Turning the tide on trash: Empowering European educators and school students to tackle marine litter, Marine Policy, 96: 227-34.
Hartley, B.L., Pahl, S., Veiga, J., Vlachogianni, T., Vasconcelos, L., Maes, T., Doyle, T. d'Arcy Metcalfe, R. Öztürk, A. A., Di Berardo, M. &. Thompson R.C. (2018). Exploring public views on marine litter in Europe: Perceived causes, consequences and pathways to change, Marine Pollution Bulletin: 945-55.
Hodgson, D.J., Bréchon, A.L. & Thompson, R.C. (2018). Ingestion and fragmentation of plastic carrier bags by the amphipod Orchestia gammarellus: Effects of plastic type and fouling load, Marine Pollution Bulletin, 127: 154-59.
Kanhai, L.D. Gårdfeldt, K.K. Lyashevska, O., Hassellöv, M., Thompson, R. C. & O'Connor, (2018). Microplastics in sub-surface waters of the Arctic Central Basin, Marine Pollution Bulletin, 130: 8-18.
Exploring public views on marine litter in Europe: Perceived causes, consequences and pathways to change, Marine Pollution Bulletin: 945-55.
Hodgson, D.J., Bréchon, A.L. & Thompson, R.C. (2018). Ingestion and fragmentation of plastic carrier bags by the amphipod Orchestia gammarellus: Effects of plastic type and fouling load, Marine Pollution Bulletin, 127: 154-59.
Hodgson, D.J., Bréchon, A.L. & Thompson, R.C. (2018). Ingestion and fragmentation of plastic carrier bags by the amphipod Orchestia gammarellus: Effects of plastic type and fouling load, Marine Pollution Bulletin, 127: 154-59.
Kanhai, L.D. Gårdfeldt, K.K. Lyashevska, O., Hassellöv, M., Thompson, R. C. & O'Connor, (2018). Microplastics in sub-surface waters of the Arctic Central Basin, Marine Pollution Bulletin, 130: 8-18.
Reed, S., Clark, M., Thompson, R., and Hughes, K. A. (2018). Microplastics in marine sediments near Rothera Research Station, Antarctica, Marine Pollution Bulletin, 133: 460-63.
Sanchez-Vidal, A., Thompson, R. C., Canals, M. & De Haan, W. P. (2018). The imprint of microfibres in Southern European deep seas, Plos One,13.
Catarino, A. I., Thompson, R., Sanderson, W. & Henry, T. B. (2017). Development and optimization of a standard method for extraction of microplastics in mussels by enzyme digestion of soft tissues, Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 36: 947-51.
Catarino, A. I., Thompson, R., Sanderson, W. & Henry, T. B. (2017). Development and optimization of a standard method for extraction of microplastics in mussels by enzyme digestion of soft tissues, Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 36: 947-51.
Erni-Cassola, G., Gibson, M. I. Thompson, R. C. & Christie-Oleza, J. A. (2017). Lost, but found with Nile Red: A novel method for detecting and quantifying small microplastics (1 mm to 20 μm) in Environmental Samples, Environmental Science and Technology, 51: 13641-48.
Green, D. S., Boots, B. O'Connor, N. E. & Thompson, R. (2017). Microplastics affect the ecological functioning of an important biogenic habitat, Environmental Science and Technology, 51: 68-77.
Kanhai, L. D. K., Officer, R. Lyashevska, O., Thompson R. C., & O'Connor. I. (2017). Microplastic abundance, distribution and composition along a latitudinal gradient in the Atlantic Ocean, Marine Pollution Bulletin, 115: 307-14.
Martin, J., Lusher, A., Thompson, R. C. & Morley, A. (2017). The Deposition and Accumulation of Microplastics in Marine Sediments and Bottom Water from the Irish Continental Shelf, Scientific Reports, 7.
Pahl, S., Wyles, K. J. & Thompson, R. C. (2017) Channelling passion for the ocean towards plastic pollution, Nature Human Behaviour, 1: 697-99.
Rochman, C. M., Regan, F. & Thompson, R. C. (2017). On the harmonization of methods for measuring the occurrence, fate and effects of microplastics, Analytical Methods, 9: 1324-25.
Rochman, C. M., Regan, F. & Thompson, R. C. (2017). On the harmonization of methods for measuring the occurrence, fate and effects of microplastics, Analytical Methods, 9: 1324-25.
Sleight, V. A., Bakir, A. Thompson, R. C. & Henry, T. B. (2017). Assessment of microplastic-sorbed contaminant bioavailability through analysis of biomarker gene expression in larval zebrafish, Marine Pollution Bulletin, 116: 291-97.
Steer, M., Cole, M., Thompson, R. C. & P. K. Lindeque (2017). Microplastic ingestion in fish larvae in the western English Channel', Environmental Pollution, 226: 250-59.
Wyles, K. J., Pahl, S. Holland, M. & Thompson, R. C. (2017) Can Beach Cleans Do More Than Clean-Up Litter? Comparing Beach Cleans to Other Coastal Activities, Environment and Behavior, 49: 509-35.
Articles 2004 – 2016
Articles 2004 – 2016
Anderson, A. G., Grose, J. Pahl, S. Thompson R. C., & Wyles, K. J. (2016) Microplastics in personal care products: Exploring perceptions of environmentalists, beauticians and students, Marine Pollution Bulletin, 113: 454-60.
Gago, J., Galgani, F., Maes, T. & Thompson, R. C. (2016) Microplastics in seawater: Recommendations from the marine strategy framework directive implementation process, Frontiers in Marine Science, 3.
Rochman, C. M., Browne, M. A. Underwood, A. J. Van Franeker, J. A. Thompson, R. C. & Amaral-Zettler, L. A. (2016). The ecological impacts of marine debris: Unravelling the demonstrated evidence from what is perceived, Ecology, 97: 302-12.
Napper, I. E. & Thompson, R. C. (2016) Release of synthetic microplastic plastic fibres from domestic washing machines: Effects of fabric type and washing conditions. Marine Pollution Bulletin 112, 39-45.
Bakir A, O'Connor IA, Rowland SJ, Hendriks AJ & Thompson R.C. (2016) Relative importance of microplastics as a pathway for the transfer of hydrophobic organic chemicals to marine life. Environmental pollution 219, 56-65. .
Wyles, K. J., Pahl, S., Thomas, K. & Thompson, R. C. (2016) Factors That Can Undermine the Psychological Benefits of Coastal Environments: Exploring the Effect of Tidal State, Presence, and Type of Litter. Environment and Behavior 48, 1095-1126. .
Veiga, J. M., Vlachogianni, T., Pahl, S., Thompson, R. C., Kopke, K., Doyle, T. K., Hartley, B. L., Maes, T., Orthodoxou, D. L., Loizidou, X. I. & Alampei, I. (2016) Enhancing public awareness and promoting co-responsibility for marine litter in Europe: The challenge of MARLISCO. Marine Pollution Bulletin 102, 309-315. .
Napper, I. E., Bakir, A., Rowland, S. J. & Thompson, R. C. (2015) Characterisation, Quantity and Sorptive Properties of Microplastics Extracted From Cosmetics. Marine Pollution Bulletin 99, 178-185.
Green, D. S., Boots, B., Blockley, D. J., Rocha, C. & Thompson, R.C.(2015) Impacts of Discarded Plastic Bags on Marine Assemblages and Ecosystem functioning. Environmental Science and Technology 49, 5380-5389.
Gall, S. C. & Thompson, R.C. (2015) The impact of debris on marine life. Marine Pollution Bulletin 92, 170-179.
Browne, M. A., Chapman, M. G., Thompson, R. C., Zettler, L. A. A., Jambeck, J. & Mallos, N. J. (2015) Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Stranded Intertidal Marine Debris: Is There a Picture of Global Change? Environmental Science & Technology 49, 7082-7094.
Woodall, L. C., Gwinnett, C., Packer, M., Thompson, R. C., Robinson, L. F. & Paterson, G. L. J. (2015) Using a forensic science approach to minimize environmental contamination and to identify microfibres in marine sediments. Marine Pollution Bulletin 95, 40-46.
Browne, M. A., Underwood, A. J., Chapman, M. G., Williams, R., Thompson, R.C. & van Franeker, J. A. (2015) Linking effects of anthropogenic debris to ecological impacts. Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences 282.
Eerkes-Medrano,D., Thompson, R. C. & Aldridge, D. C. (2015) Microplastics in freshwater systems: A review of the emerging threats, identification of knowledge gaps and prioritisation of research needs. Water Research 75,63-82.
Wyles, K. J., Pahl, S., Thomas, K. & Thompson R.C. (2015) Factors that can undermine the psychological benefits of coastal environments: exploring the effect of tidal state, presence, and type of litter. Environment and Behaviour 15/07/15, 1-32.
Hartley, B.L., Thompson, R.C. & Pahl, S. (2015) Marine litter education boosts children’s understanding and self-reported actions. Marine Pollution Bulletin 90 (1-2), 209-217.
Woodall, L.C., Sanchez-Vidal, A., Canals, M., Paterson, G.L.J., Coppock, R., Sleight, V., Calafat, A., Rogers, A.D., Narayanaswamy, B.E. & Thompson R.C. (2014) The deep sea is a major sink for microplastic debris. Royal Society Open Science 1, 140317.
Obbard, R.W., Sadri, S., Wong, Y.Q., Khitun, A.A., Baker, I. & Thompson, R.C. (2014) Global warming releases microplastic legacy frozen in Arctic Sea ice. Earth’s Future 2, 315-320.
Law, K.L. & Thompson R.C. (2014) Microplastics in the seas. Science, 345, 144-145.
Bakir, A., S.J. Rowland, & Thompson R.C., (2014) Transport of persistent organic pollutants by microplastics in estuarine conditions. Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science, 140, 14-21.
Bakir, A., Rowland, S.J., & Thompson, R.C. (2014) Enhanced desorption of persistent organic pollutants from microplastics under simulated physiological conditions. Environmental Pollution 185, 16-23.
Sadri, S.S. & Thompson R.C. (2014) On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary, Southwest England. Marine Pollution Bulletin 81, 55-60
Holmes, L.A., A. Turner, & R.C. Thompson, (2014) Interactions between trace metals and plastic production pellets under estuarine conditions. Marine Chemistry 167, p. 25-32.
Koelmans, A.A., Gouin, T., Thompson, R., Wallace, N & Arthur, C. (2014), Plastics in the marine environment. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 33, 5–10.
Rochman, C.M. Browne, M.A., Halpern, B.S.,Hentschel, B.T., Hoh, E., Karapangioti, K., Rios, L.M., Takada, H.,Teh, S. & Thompson, R.C. (2013) Classify Plastics as hazardous. Nature 494, 170-171.
Browne M.A., Niven S.J., Galloway T.S., Rowland, S.J. & Thompson, R.C. (2013) Microplastic Moves Pollutants and Additives to Worms, Reducing Functions Linked to Health and Biodiversity. Current Biology 23, 2388-2392.
Wright, S.L., Rowe, D. Thompson, R.C. & Galloway T.S. (2013) Microplastic ingestion decreases energy reserves in marine worms. Current Biology 23, R1031-R1033,
Lusher, A. L., McHugh, M. & Thompson, R. C. (2013) Occurrence of microplastics in the gastrointestinal tract of pelagic and demersal fish from the English Channel. Marine Pollution Bulletin 67, 94-99.
Wright, S. Thompson, R.C., & Galloway, T.S. (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics in marine organisms: a review. Environmental Pollution 178, 483-492.
Bakir, A., Rowland, S. J. & Thompson, R. C. (2012) Competitive sorption of persistent organic pollutants onto microplastics in the marine environment. Marine Pollution Bulletin 64: 2782-2789.
Hidalgo-Ruz, V., Gutow, L., Thompson, R. C. & Thiel, M. (2012) Microplastics in the Marine Environment: A Review of the Methods Used for Identification and Quantification. Environmental Science & Technology 46, 3060-3075.
Holmes, L. A., Turner, A. & Thompson, R. C. (2012) Adsorption of trace metals to plastic resin pellets in the marine environment. Environmental Pollution 160, 42-48.
Browne, M. A., Crump, P., Niven, S. J., Teuten, E., Tonkin, A., Galloway, T. & Thompson, R. (2011) Accumulation of Microplastic on Shorelines Woldwide: Sources and Sinks. Environmental Science & Technology 45, 9175-9179.
Browne, M. A.; Galloway, T. S., & Thompson, R. C., (2010) Spatial Patterns of Plastic Debris along Estuarine Shorelines. Environmental Science & Technology, 44, 3404-3409. Read the article
O’Brine, T. & Thompson, R.C. (2010) Degradation of plastic carrier bags in the marine environment Marine pollution Bulletin 60, 2279-2283.
Thompson, R.C., Moore, C.M., vom Saal, F.S. & Swan, S.H. (2009) Our plastic age. Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society B., 364, 1973-1976.
Thompson, R.C., Moore, C.M., vom Saal, F.S. & Swan, S.H. (2009) Plastics, the environment and human health: current consensus and future trends. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B., 364, 2153-2166.
Thompson, R. C., Swan, S. H., Moore, C. & vom Saal, F. S. 2009 Our Plastic Age Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B 364, 1973-1976.
Barnes, D.K.A., Galgani, F., Thompson, R.C. & Barlaz, M. (2009) Accumulation and fragmentation of plastic debris in global environments. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B., 364, 1985-1998.
Teuten, E.L., Saquing, J.M., Knappe, D.R.U., Barlaz, M.A., Jonsson, S., Björn, A., Rowland, S.J., Thompson, R.C., Galloway, T.S., Yamashita, R., Ochi, D., Watanuki, Y., Moore, C.M., Viet, P., Tana, T.S., Prudente, M., Boonyatumanond, R., Zakaria, M.P., Akkhavong, K., Ogata, Y., Hirai, H., Iwasa, S., Mizukawa, K., Hagino, Y., Imamura, A., Saha, M. & Takada, H. (2009) Transport and release of chemicals from plastics to the environment and to wildlife. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B. 364, 2027-2045.
Ogata, Y., Takada, H., Master, M.K., Hirai, H., Iwasa, S., Endo, S., Mato, Y., Mahua, S.M., Okuda, K., Nakashima, A., Murakami, M., Zurcher, N., Booyatumanondo, R., Zakaria, M.P., Le Q Dung, D., Gordon, M., Miguez, C., Suzuki, S., Moore, C.M., Karapanagioti, H., Weerts, S., McClurg, T., Burres, E., Smith, W., Velkenburg, M.V., Lang, J.S., Lang, R., Laursen, D., Danner, B., Stewardson, N. & Thompson, R.C. (2009) International Pellet Watch : Global monitoring of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in coastal waters. 1. Initial phase data on PCBs, DDTs, and HCHs. Marine Pollution Bulletin 58, 1437-1446.
Browne, M.A., Dissanayake, A., Galloway, T.S., Lowe, D.M. & Thompson R.C. (2008). Ingested microscopic plastic translocates to the circulatory system of the mussel, Mytilus edulis (L.) Environmental Science and Technology 42, 5026-5031
Teuten, E.L., Rowland, S.J., Galloway, T.S. & Thompson R.C. (2007). Potential for Plastics to Transport Hydrophobic Contaminants. Environmental Science and Technology 41, 7759-7764
Browne, M.A., Galloway, T., & Thompson R. (2007). Microplastic – an emerging contaminant of potential concern? Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management 3, 559–566 10.
Thompson, R., Moore, C., Andrady, A., Gregory, M., Takada, H. & Weisberg S. (2005). New directions in plastic debris. Science 310, 1117.
Thompson, R.C., Olsen, Y., Mitchell, R.P., Davis, A., Rowland, S.J., John, A.W.G., McGonigle, D. & Russell A.E. (2004). Lost at sea: Where does all the plastic go? Science 304, 838.