BRIDGE-BS kicked off the new year with a new publication!

Supported by BRIDGE-BS, experts from our partner institute, the Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, have published their research in the Bulgarian Journal of Meteorology and Hydrology!

Their study examines how extreme weather events—such as heavy rainfall and storms—affect the distribution of floating marine litter (FML) in Burgas Bay, Black Sea.

Key Highlights:

  • Extreme weather can increase FML by more than 3.7 times the seasonal average.
  • Rivers and coastal lakes serve as both pathways and reservoirs for marine litter, releasing debris during floods.
  • Plastic waste dominates FML, accounting for nearly 89% of recorded debris.


These findings emphasize the urgent need for monitoring and mitigation strategies to combat the growing threat of plastic pollution in marine ecosystems, particularly in the context of climate change.