This study investigates the distribution and concentration of microplastics (MPs) across the littoral profile of a beach, from dune base to offshore sector, including an estuarine channel and Sabellaria alveolata bioconstructions. The research was conducted at Pino di Lenne beach (Taranto, Ionian Sea), a wave-dominated, microtidal littoral system representing a unique natural laboratory with minimal anthropogenic pressure. An eco-friendly extraction protocol was used, combining methods that were already known in the literature. Olive oil proved highly effective in isolating a wide range of MP densities from sediment samples. Statistical analysis identified key accumulation zones, with the highest mean concentrations found in the submerged sandbar (2435 MPs/kg), Sabellaria bioconstructions (2324 MPs/kg), and the base of the dune (2065 MPs/kg). Fibres were the predominant morphology across all sub-environments. Distribution is interpreted as controlled by hydrodynamic processes and biological activity. The submerged beach drives MP transport, with the sandbar and shoreface acting as dynamic sinks. Sabellaria bioconstructions function as biological trap, actively incorporating MPs into their tubular structures. The dune base acts as a sink for wind-blown and storm-deposited plastics. These sub-environments function as critical littoral traps for MPs, essential for developing targeted monitoring and remediation strategies in similar coastal systems.

This work presents the methodological framework developed within the BERMS project, designed to integrate sedimentological, geomorphological, geophysical, compositional, and ecological approaches for assessing beach dynamics and erosion susceptibility. The primary aim is to establish a standardized, transferable protocol for monitoring wave-dominated sandy beaches in Mediterranean settings affected by increasing anthropogenic pressures and climate-driven changes. Field activities focus on three sites in Southern Italy—Torre Guaceto (Adriatic Sea) and Porto Cesareo (Ionian sea) located in Apulia, and Sibari by the Ionian sea in Calabria—each characterized by distinct sediment dynamics, geomorphological features, and ecological sensitivities. The study combines high-resolution topographic surveys with subsurface imaging techniques (Sub Bottom Profilers, Ground Penetrating Radar, resistivity models), supported by numerical simulations using Delft3D. The key innovation of the project is the methodological framework based upon monitoring techniques. By combining traditional field-based approaches with advanced modelling and ecological indicators, BERMS aims to balance environmental conservation with socio-economic development needs. Special attention is also given to identifying primary sediment sources and understanding sediment–ecosystem interactions, which are essential for sustainable coastal management. The resulting methodology provides scalable tools and protocols for long-term beach monitoring across the Mediterranean, contributing to more informed decision-making processes in coastal planning and climate resilience strategies.