Assessing Microplastic Levels in the Al Hoceima Marine Protected Area: Effects on Finding Pollution Hotspots and Devising Conservation Strategies

Abstract Global marine ecosystems are seriously threatened by microplastic contamination, which has prompted extensive research to determine its distribution and effects. This study uses glider operating data to analyze microplastic concentrations in the Al Hoceima Marine Protected Area (MPA). Our goal is to pinpoint spatial patterns that indicate hotspots for pollution and provide information for focused conservation initiatives. We seek to identify areas with higher microplastic concentrations by closely examining Microplastic Level graphs; we pay particular attention to temporal fluctuations. The findings show some interesting trends, like larger densities in the vicinity of fishing harbors and metropolitan centers, which may be related to human activity. Furthermore, we note fluctuations in pollution levels during various glider operation cycles, highlighting the significance of comprehending the spatiotemporal dynamics of microplastic dispersion. The marine protected area zones that have lower microplastic concentrations demonstrate how effective marine protected areas are at mitigating the consequences of pollution, highlighting the importance of conservation initiatives in preserving biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. In the end, our study broadens our knowledge of the stresses that humans place on marine environments and emphasizes the need of preventative conservation efforts to protect marine ecosystems from the dangers of microplastic pollution.