Dissertation Title: STUDY OF MICROPLASTICS AS POTENTIAL POLLUTANTS ON THE COAST OF ALBANIA

• Authors:  Vanilla The priest 

• Institution: University of Tirana,  Faculty of Natural Sciences. Department of Chemistry.

• Field of study:  Applied Chemistry

• Publication date: 11.06.2026

• The dissertation is published in Albanian.

© Copyright: Vanela PRIFTI

Published by the University of Tirana
Based on legal acts, regulations and policies of the UT

👉 Click here to view the full dissertation (PDF)

 

ABSTRACT
This doctoral dissertation focuses on the assessment of microplastics present in estuaries of
Albanian rivers that flow into the Adriatic Sea and contribute to microplastic pollution in this environment
marine. This research focuses on optimizing the method for detecting microplastics in water. Initially
An assessment of the environmental conditions of the Ishëm-Erzen basin and the Shkumbin and Seman rivers was carried out, as they
affect the detection of microplastics in water. Plastic pollution in coastal areas is today one of the topics that
has received a lot of attention.
The development of science and technology, related to the processing of raw materials, industrial development,
intensive agriculture, the rapid increase in consumption as a result of global population growth, has brought
major consequences in environmental pollution. The increasing use of plastic materials in daily consumption and
in various branches of industry and agriculture, accompanied by a minimal commitment to recycling
waste, is increasingly affecting the disruption of the natural balance. Waste use and management
Plastic has become one of the main problems today with the presence of microplastics in the environment, especially in waters.
coastal areas and the rivers that flow into them. The presence of plastic and microplastics, of different types and sizes
different, in the aquatic environment it seems to have a direct impact on the existence of organisms. Among the many
problems, increased morbidity in marine organisms, direct impact on food webs and chains
through bioaccumulation, as well as reduced fishing productivity, etc.
On the other hand, microplastics accumulate other pollutants in aquatic systems, becoming carriers and
their carriers in the environment. This study aims to provide recommendations for improving this situation in
in general and in particular near coastal tourist centers that are often located near river deltas
or who are directly affected by their discharges.

Keywords: microplastics, marine pollution, environmental status, river estuaries, Adriatic Sea,
Albania

ABSTRACT

This doctoral dissertation focused on evaluating microplastics present in Albanian river estuaries
flow into the Adriatic Sea and contribute to the microplastic pollution in this marine environment. This
research focuses on the optimization of the method for detecting microplastics in water. The assessment
of environmental conditions of Ishmi - Erzeni Basin, Shkumbin and Seman Rivers was performed, as
they affect the detection of microplastics in water. Plastic pollution in coastal areas is today one of the
topics that have received a lot of attention.
The development of science and technology, related to the processing of raw materials, industrial development,
intensive agriculture, the galloping growth of consumption as a result of population increase on a global scale,
has brought major consequences in environmental pollution. The increasing use of plastic materials in daily life
consumption and in various branches of industry and agriculture, accompanied by a minimal commitment to
recycling waste, is increasingly affecting the disruption of the natural balance. The use and management of plastic
waste have become today one of the main problems of the presence of microplastics in the environment,
especially in coastal waters and the rivers that flow into them. The presence of plastic and microplastics, of
different types and sizes, in the aquatic environment seems to have a direct impact on the existence of organisms.
Among the many problems, the increase in morbidity in marine organisms, the direct impact on food webs and
chains through bioaccumulation, as well as the reduction of fishing productivity, etc.
On the other hand, microplastics accumulate other pollutants in aquatic systems by becoming carriers and
transporters of them in the environment. This study aims to provide recommendations on improving this situation
in general and in particular near coastal tourist centers that are often located near river deltas or that are directly
affected by their discharges.

Keywords: microplastics, marine pollution, environmental status, river estuaries, Adriatic Sea, Albani