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He M, Tian F, Zhai X, Zhou K, Zhang L, Guo X, Tang Z, Chen H. Distribution and typologies of anthropogenic seafloor litter in the Pearl River Estuary and adjacent coastal waters, China. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 203:116505. [PMID: 38772172 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
Marine litter pollution poses a significant threat to offshore ecosystems, eliciting widespread concern. We investigated seafloor litter patterns in the Pearl River Estuary and adjacent coastal waters of China in 2023 via bottom trawl survey. Average number and weight densities were found to be 154.34 ± 30.95 n/km2 and 2384.63 ± 923.98 g/km2, respectively. Plastic was the most abundant material by number density (79.07 %), and rubber the highest by weight density (22.93 %). Overall number density varied from 40.50 ± 22.50 to 221.13 ± 52.44 n/km2, with the highest in Daya Bay and the lowest in Guanghai Bay. Weight density varied from 189.93 ± 71.94 to 5386.70 ± 3050.30 g/km2, with the highest in Qiao Island and the lowest in Honghai Bay. The main source was plastic bags and wrappers. The Pearl River Delta and Daya Bay were identified as seafloor litter distribution hotspots. Controlling plastic waste input is crucial for reducing seafloor litter in the Pearl River Estuary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingqiao He
- College of Fisheries and Life, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; Key Laboratory of Marine Ranching, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of South China Sea Fishery Resource and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fishery Ecology and Environment, Scientific Observation and Research Field Station of Pearl River Estuary Ecosystem, Guangdong Province, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Science, Guangzhou 510300, China
| | - Fei Tian
- Key Laboratory of Marine Ranching, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of South China Sea Fishery Resource and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fishery Ecology and Environment, Scientific Observation and Research Field Station of Pearl River Estuary Ecosystem, Guangdong Province, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Science, Guangzhou 510300, China
| | - Xiaohui Zhai
- Shenzhen Marine Development & Promotion Center, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Kai Zhou
- Shenzhen Marine Development & Promotion Center, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Linbao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Ranching, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of South China Sea Fishery Resource and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fishery Ecology and Environment, Scientific Observation and Research Field Station of Pearl River Estuary Ecosystem, Guangdong Province, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Science, Guangzhou 510300, China
| | - Xiangyu Guo
- Shenzhen Marine Development & Promotion Center, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Zhenzhao Tang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Ranching, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of South China Sea Fishery Resource and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fishery Ecology and Environment, Scientific Observation and Research Field Station of Pearl River Estuary Ecosystem, Guangdong Province, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Science, Guangzhou 510300, China.
| | - Haigang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Marine Ranching, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of South China Sea Fishery Resource and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fishery Ecology and Environment, Scientific Observation and Research Field Station of Pearl River Estuary Ecosystem, Guangdong Province, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Science, Guangzhou 510300, China.
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Rizzo L, Minichino R, Longo F, Sciutteri V, Pedà C, Consoli P, Crocetta F. Not only in the crowd: Benthic litter characterization in a low population density area still reveals widespread pollution and local malpractices. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 355:124262. [PMID: 38810686 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Various anthropogenic activities affect marine coastal habitats, leading to heavy litter pollution. However, whilst high litter concentrations are nowadays common in the proximity of metropolises, few studies investigated the magnitude of this phenomenon around coastal villages and small towns. We hereby characterized the benthic litter occurring in the trawlable grounds of the Gulf of Policastro (Tyrrhenian Sea, central-western Mediterranean), a low population density area that becomes a popular tourist destination during summer. We furthermore tested differences between two depths (∼100-200 and ∼500-600 m) and the impact of tourism on the shallower waters. The area was characterized by a litter abundance of 651.12 ± 130.61 item/km2, with plastic being almost totalitarian (93%). The shallower waters hosted two-thirds of the litter found. Almost all (∼95%) the litter items had a land-based origin, while the sea-based litter was mostly found at higher depths. About 14% of the litter was found to be fouled, with the development of litter-associated communities that somehow mimic the natural ones living on hard substrates. The higher litter presence noticed during the touristic peak (July-August) suggests that tourism is an important source of local litter, although it contributed to the local accumulation in a synergic way with other factors. The majority of the litter items presumably originated from the nearby coastline, while the deeper waters were or are used as a dumping site by the local trawling fleet. The discovery of such a critical waste accumulation and management in a somehow remote area contributes to widen the perspectives on the presence of benthic litter mostly in territories characterized by wide anthropization. Moreover, it confirms that appropriate local policies and communication plans are urged even at a regional level to stimulate citizen consciousness and mitigate the ever growing litter pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Rizzo
- Institute of Sciences of Food Production, National Research Council (CNR-ISPA), Via Lecce Monteroni, 73100, Lecce, Italy; Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, I-80121, Napoli, Italy; National Interuniversity Consortium for Marine Sciences (CoNISMa), Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196, Rome, Italy.
| | - Riccardo Minichino
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Sicily Marine Centre, Messina, Italy
| | - Francesco Longo
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Sicily Marine Centre, Messina, Italy
| | - Valentina Sciutteri
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Sicily Marine Centre, Messina, Italy
| | - Cristina Pedà
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Calabria Marine Centre, Amendolara, Italy
| | - Pierpaolo Consoli
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Sicily Marine Centre, Messina, Italy
| | - Fabio Crocetta
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Comunale, I-80121, Napoli, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo Piazza Marina 61, I-90133, Palermo, Italy
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Sciutteri V, Costa V, Malara D, Figurella F, Campbell I, Deery E, Romeo T, Andaloro F, Consoli P. Citizen science through a recreational underwater diving project supports the collection of large-scale marine litter data: The Oceania case study. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 200:116133. [PMID: 38335633 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
In recent years, a growing body of literature on seafloor macro-litter has been produced worldwide. However, the spatial coverage of these studies is still limited and highly unbalanced, resulting in considerable knowledge gaps in some regions. To address this lack of information in Oceania, we extracted data from the Citizen Science project Dive Against Debris® to characterize marine debris collected by volunteer scuba divers on the coastal seafloor. Overall, the average litter density was 58.22 items/100m2, with plastics accounting for approximately 50 % of the total abundance and Single Use Plastics accounting for nearly 17 %. Notably, 36 % of the total litter abundance consisted of lost Fishing Gear including fishing lines, sinkers, baits and hooks as the most abundant debris items. To reduce lost fishing gear, clean-up initiatives by divers along with management actions such as education programs for fishermen, gear restrictions and the identification of designated fishing sites are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Sciutteri
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Sicily Marine Centre, Messina, Italy
| | - V Costa
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Calabria Marine Centre, Amendolara, Italy
| | - D Malara
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Calabria Marine Centre, Amendolara, Italy
| | | | - I Campbell
- PADI AWARE Foundation, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - E Deery
- PADI AWARE Foundation, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - T Romeo
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Sicily Marine Centre, Messina, Italy
| | - F Andaloro
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Sicily Marine Centre, Palermo, Italy
| | - P Consoli
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Sicily Marine Centre, Messina, Italy.
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Segal Y, Lubinevsky H. Spatiotemporal distribution of seabed litter in the SE Levantine Basin during 2012-2021. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 188:114714. [PMID: 36860013 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
This study explores the first record of spatiotemporal distributions of macro and micro-litter on the seafloor in the Southeastern (SE) Levantine Basin (LB) during 2012-2021. Macro-litter was surveyed by bottom trawls in water depths of 20-1600 m and micro-litter by sediment box corer/grab at a depths range of 4-1950 m. Maximal macro-litter concentrations were recorded at the upper continental slope (200 m), averaging 4700 ± 3000 items/km2. Plastic bags and packages were the most abundant items (77 ± 9 %) with a maximum of 89 % at 200 m depth, and their size decreased with increasing water depth. Micro-litter debris were found mainly in shelf sediments (≤30 m water depth) with an average concentration of 40 ± 50 items/kg, while shit particles transferred to the deep sea. These findings suggest an extensive distribution of plastic bags and packages in the SE LB, predominantly accumulating in the upper continental slope and deeper, based on their size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yael Segal
- Israel Oceanographic & Limnological Research, National Institute of Oceanography, Haifa, Israel.
| | - Hadas Lubinevsky
- Israel Oceanographic & Limnological Research, National Institute of Oceanography, Haifa, Israel
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Sciutteri V, Pedà C, Longo F, Calogero R, Cangemi G, Pagano L, Battaglia P, Nannini M, Romeo T, Consoli P. Integrated approach for marine litter pollution assessment in the southern Tyrrhenian Sea: Information from bottom-trawl fishing and plastic ingestion in deep-sea fish. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 188:114661. [PMID: 36708618 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Marine litter pollution threatens marine ecosystems and biodiversity conservation, particularly on seafloors where all anthropogenic waste naturally sinks. In this study, we provide new information on the composition, density and origin of seafloor macrolitter as well as on plastic ingestion in deep-sea fish from bottom-trawling by-catch in the southern Tyrrhenian Sea. Plastic constituted the highest fraction of litter in terms of density (64 %) and weight (32 %) and was also retrieved in the gastrointestinal traits of Chlorophthalmus agassizi, Coelorhynchus coelorhynchus and Hoplosthethus mediterraneus. FT-IR spectroscopy analysis on the seafloor macrolitter and the ingested plastics revealed the presence of artificial polymers including PE, PET/polyester, PA widely used for food packaging, plastic bags and several common products, especially Single Use Plastic (SUP). These results underline how poor waste management schemes or their incorrect application strongly contribute to marine litter accumulation on seafloors and plastic ingestion in deep-sea fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Sciutteri
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, National Institute of Biology, Ecology and Marine Biotechnology, Sicily Marine Centre, Villa Pace, Contrada Porticatello 29, 98167 Messina, Italy.
| | - Cristina Pedà
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, National Institute of Biology, Ecology and Marine Biotechnology, Sicily Marine Centre, Villa Pace, Contrada Porticatello 29, 98167 Messina, Italy.
| | - Francesco Longo
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, National Institute of Biology, Ecology and Marine Biotechnology, Sicily Marine Centre, Villa Pace, Contrada Porticatello 29, 98167 Messina, Italy.
| | - Rosario Calogero
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, National Institute of Biology, Ecology and Marine Biotechnology, Sicily Marine Centre, Villa Pace, Contrada Porticatello 29, 98167 Messina, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Cangemi
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, National Institute of Biology, Ecology and Marine Biotechnology, Sicily Marine Centre, Villa Pace, Contrada Porticatello 29, 98167 Messina, Italy; Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy.
| | - Luca Pagano
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, National Institute of Biology, Ecology and Marine Biotechnology, Sicily Marine Centre, Villa Pace, Contrada Porticatello 29, 98167 Messina, Italy; Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy.
| | - Pietro Battaglia
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, National Institute of Biology, Ecology and Marine Biotechnology, Sicily Marine Centre, Villa Pace, Contrada Porticatello 29, 98167 Messina, Italy.
| | - Matteo Nannini
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Ischia Marine Centre, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Punta San Pietro, 80077 Ischia, Naples, Italy.
| | - Teresa Romeo
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, National Institute of Biology, Ecology and Marine Biotechnology, Sicily Marine Centre, Villa Pace, Contrada Porticatello 29, 98167 Messina, Italy.
| | - Pierpaolo Consoli
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, National Institute of Biology, Ecology and Marine Biotechnology, Sicily Marine Centre, Villa Pace, Contrada Porticatello 29, 98167 Messina, Italy.
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Taviani M, Foglini F, Castellan G, Montagna P, McCulloch MT, Trotter JA. First assessment of anthropogenic impacts in submarine canyon systems off southwestern Australia. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 857:159243. [PMID: 36208760 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
We assessed the anthropogenic impacts on southwestern Australian submarine canyons by quantifying macro-litter discovered during Remotely Operated Vehicle surveys. The study area encompasses the Bremer canyon systems and Perth Canyon. The categories of macro-litter identified by our study are plastic, metal, aluminium, glass, fabric, mixed, derelict fishing gear, and unclassified. The anthropogenic impacts in the canyons explored is minimal, especially in the Bremer canyon systems, whereas Perth Canyon has comparatively more macro-litter, presumably due to intense maritime traffic and nearby urban development. On a global scale, however, the environmental status of southwestern Australian canyons is relatively pristine. This analysis provides a baseline for the monitoring and enduring stewardship of these habitats where lush and diverse biota, including deep-sea corals, thrive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Taviani
- Istituto di Scienze Marine (ISMAR), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Bologna, Italy; Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Federica Foglini
- Istituto di Scienze Marine (ISMAR), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Bologna, Italy
| | - Giorgio Castellan
- Istituto di Scienze Marine (ISMAR), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Bologna, Italy.
| | - Paolo Montagna
- Istituto di Scienze Polari (ISP), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Bologna, Italy
| | - Malcom T McCulloch
- Oceans Graduate School and UWA Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth 6009, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence in Coral Reef Studies, The University of Western Australia, Perth 6009, Australia
| | - Julie A Trotter
- Oceans Graduate School and UWA Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth 6009, Australia
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Blais N, Wells PG. The leatherback turtle ( Dermochelys coriacea) and plastics in the Northwest Atlantic ocean: A hazard assessment. Heliyon 2022; 8:e12427. [PMID: 36636212 PMCID: PMC9830159 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Atlantic leatherback turtles are faced with multiple threats, such as ship strikes, pollution and predation, throughout their annual migratory routes in the Northwest (NW) Atlantic. The risks associated with encounters with floating and submerged plastic debris are currently unknown. This study is a hazard assessment of plastics for this turtle's sub-population, using 2010-2019 data from the national Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup (GSCS) program, therefore potential exposure, and published evidence on the interactions of plastics and leatherbacks, hence potential effects. The type of plastic items and their abundance along shorelines of three Atlantic Provinces - Nova Scotia (NS), Prince Edward Island (PEI), Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) - were evaluated and compared to plastic items known to interact with leatherbacks. During the 2010-2019 period, a total of 220,590 plastic items were collected from 578 sites, representing 1264 km of shoreline. Plastic bags and rope are in the top ten most common items found on shorelines of NS, PEI, and NL. Pot gear and trap nets are in the top ten for PEI and are the 14th most common plastic item found on all shorelines. Cigarette debris is also commonly found. From the literature, plastic bags, pot gear and trap nets, and rope are known to adversely affect leatherbacks. Assuming that a large proportion of the shoreline debris comes in from the sea, after being in coastal waters for unknown periods, the study shows that such items pose a hazard to leatherbacks through ingestion and entanglement, based on published studies. Evidence is now needed on actual exposure at sea to the most common items to establish the ecological risk of plastics to these turtles in NW Atlantic waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noémie Blais
- Marine Affairs Program, Faculty of Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada,Corresponding author.
| | - Peter G. Wells
- Marine Affairs Program, Faculty of Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada,International Ocean Institute – Canada, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada
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Erüz C, Terzi Y, Öztürk RÇ, Karakoç FT, Özşeker K, Şahin A, Ismail NP. Spatial pattern and characteristics of the benthic marine litter in the southern Black Sea shelf. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 175:113322. [PMID: 35051845 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The abundance and characteristics of benthic marine litter in the southern Black Sea shelf were demonstrated. During the surveys, 671 litter items weighing 83.93 kg were collected from the stations. The average density by number and weight were 460.70 ± 99.71 n/km2 and 80.68 ± 48.06 kg/km2. The litter density was significantly higher at 10-20 m (646.09 ± 165.63 n/km2) compared to 20-30 m (165.53 ± 81.02 n/km2) and >30 m (413.87 ± 146.59 n/km2) depth classes. Plastic (69.03%) was the most abundant material by number, followed by textile (20.94%) and metal (5.68%). The litter composition differed between the no-trawl zone and trawl ground. Our results indicate that more detailed research is needed to understand the interaction of various factors influencing transportation and accumulation of marine litter in the Black Sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Coşkun Erüz
- Department of Marine Science and Technology Engineering, Faculty of Marine Sciences, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey
| | - Yahya Terzi
- Department of Fisheries Technology Engineering, Faculty of Marine Sciences, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey.
| | - Rafet Çağrı Öztürk
- Department of Fisheries Technology Engineering, Faculty of Marine Sciences, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey
| | - Fatma Telli Karakoç
- Department of Marine Science and Technology Engineering, Faculty of Marine Sciences, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey
| | - Koray Özşeker
- Institute of Marine Sciences and Technology, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Şahin
- Department of Fisheries Technology Engineering, Faculty of Marine Sciences, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey
| | - Neira Purwanty Ismail
- Department of Fisheries Technology Engineering, Faculty of Marine Sciences, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey
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Pedà C, Longo F, Berti C, Laface F, De Domenico F, Consoli P, Battaglia P, Greco S, Romeo T. The waste collector: information from a pilot study on the interaction between the common octopus (Octopus vulgaris, Cuvier, 1797) and marine litter in bottom traps fishing and first evidence of plastic ingestion. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 174:113185. [PMID: 34861606 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Few studies focused on behaviour adaptations of organisms to marine litter (ML) pollution in Mediterranean Sea. This research, investigates on some behavior traits of Octopus vulgaris, focusing on the interaction with ML during the artisanal fishing activities by the bottom traps in a small coastal area of the southern Tyrrhenian Sea. For the first time, this pilot study uses an integrated approach based on the Fishermen Ecological Knowledge as well as the analysis of ML found in the traps. First assessment of plastic ingestion in this species are also reported. Plastic and metal were the predominant ML categories observed into the bottom traps. A total of 62 plastics, mainly small microplastics and fibres shaped, were ingested. The ML finding in the bottom traps suggests an interesting behavior of the common octopus regarding its interaction with ML, in fact, it seems to bring ML inside its dens, as a collector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Pedà
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn - National Institute of Biology, Ecology and Marine Biotechnology, Sicily Marine Centre, Villa Pace - Contrada Porticatello 29, 98167 Messina, Italy.
| | - Francesco Longo
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn - National Institute of Biology, Ecology and Marine Biotechnology, Sicily Marine Centre, Villa Pace - Contrada Porticatello 29, 98167 Messina, Italy
| | - Claudio Berti
- Department of Research Infrastructures for Marine Biological Resources (RIMAR), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, National Institute of Biology, Ecology and Marine Biotechnology, Calabria Marine Centre (Researches Centre and Marine Advanced Infrastructures, CRIMAC), C.da Torre Spaccata, 87071 Amendolara, CS, Italy.
| | - Federica Laface
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn - National Institute of Biology, Ecology and Marine Biotechnology, Sicily Marine Centre, Villa Pace - Contrada Porticatello 29, 98167 Messina, Italy; Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Francesca De Domenico
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn - National Institute of Biology, Ecology and Marine Biotechnology, Sicily Marine Centre, Villa Pace - Contrada Porticatello 29, 98167 Messina, Italy
| | - Pierpaolo Consoli
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn - National Institute of Biology, Ecology and Marine Biotechnology, Sicily Marine Centre, Villa Pace - Contrada Porticatello 29, 98167 Messina, Italy
| | - Pietro Battaglia
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn - National Institute of Biology, Ecology and Marine Biotechnology, Sicily Marine Centre, Villa Pace - Contrada Porticatello 29, 98167 Messina, Italy
| | - Silvestro Greco
- Department of Research Infrastructures for Marine Biological Resources (RIMAR), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, National Institute of Biology, Ecology and Marine Biotechnology, Calabria Marine Centre (Researches Centre and Marine Advanced Infrastructures, CRIMAC), C.da Torre Spaccata, 87071 Amendolara, CS, Italy; Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, National Institute of Biology, Ecology and Marine Biotechnology, Rome, Italy
| | - Teresa Romeo
- Department of Integrative Marine Ecology (EMI), Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn - National Institute of Biology, Ecology and Marine Biotechnology, Sicily Marine Centre, Villa Pace - Contrada Porticatello 29, 98167 Messina, Italy; Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, ISPRA, Via dei Mille 56, 98057 Milazzo, ME, Italy
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10
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Gregorietti M, Atzori F, Carosso L, Frau F, Pellegrino G, Sarà G, Arcangeli A. Cetacean presence and distribution in the central Mediterranean Sea and potential risks deriving from plastic pollution. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 173:112943. [PMID: 34562663 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The Sardinian and Sicilian Channels are considered hotspots of biodiversity and key ecological passages between Mediterranean sub-basins, but with significant knowledge gaps about marine mammal presence and potential threats they face. Using data collected between 2013 and 2019 along fixed transects, inter and intra-annual cetacean index of abundance was assessed. Habitat suitability, seasonal hot spots, and risk exposure for plastic were performed using the Kernel analysis and the Biomod2 R-package. 661 sightings of 8 cetacean species were recorded, with bottlenose and striped dolphins as the most sighted species. The north-eastern pelagic sector, the coastal waters and areas near ridges resulted the most suitable habitats for these species. The risk analysis identified the Tunis, Palermo, and Castellammare gulfs and the Egadi Island as areas of particular risk of plastic exposure. The study represents a great improvement for cetacean knowledge in this region and contributes to the development of effective conservation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Gregorietti
- Laboratorio di Ecologia, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare, Viale delle Scienze Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy; Accademia del Leviatano, Via dell'Ospedaletto 53/55, Roma, Italy.
| | - F Atzori
- Area Marina Protetta Capo Carbonara, via Roma 60, Villasimius, Italy
| | - L Carosso
- Area Marina Protetta Capo Carbonara, via Roma 60, Villasimius, Italy
| | - F Frau
- Area Marina Protetta Capo Carbonara, via Roma 60, Villasimius, Italy
| | - G Pellegrino
- Accademia del Leviatano, Via dell'Ospedaletto 53/55, Roma, Italy
| | - G Sarà
- Laboratorio di Ecologia, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e del Mare, Viale delle Scienze Ed. 16, 90128 Palermo, Italy
| | - A Arcangeli
- ISPRA Bio Dep., via Brancati 60, 00144 Roma, Italy
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11
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Abundance and Composition of Marine Litter on the Seafloor of the Gulf of Sant Jordi (Western Mediterranean Sea). ENVIRONMENTS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/environments8100106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
This article analyzes the abundance and composition of marine litter in the Gulf of Sant Jordi (Catalonia, Spain). Marine litter was removed from the sea by a fishing trawler operating from the port of L’Ametlla de Mar; 56 hauls were performed between July and September 2018. The marine litter was classified following UNEP/IOC Guidelines on Survey and Monitoring of Marine Litter and EU MSFD Technical Group on Marine Litter Joint List, with a total of 2691 items collected and an average number by haul of 48 (SD 28.24). The density was 130 items km−2 but with significant differences according to trawling depth: 192 items km−2 (≤100 m) and 71.5 items km−2 (>100 m). As expected, plastic was the most commonly found material, comprising almost 80% of the total. The relative presence of plastics declined as trawling depth increased. An alarmingly high amount of sanitary waste was found. Further studies are necessary to compare summer results with those of smaller seasonal populations and to analyze what happens to sanitary waste.
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12
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Jonidi Jafari A, Latifi P, Kazemi Z, Kazemi Z, Morovati M, Farzadkia M, Torkashvand J. Development a new index for littered waste assessment in different environments: A study on coastal and urban areas of northern Iran (Caspian Sea). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 171:112684. [PMID: 34271504 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The coastal pollution has been evaluated using indexes like Clean Coast Index (CCI) in many countries. In this study, several coasts and urban areas in northern of Iran along the Caspian Sea, were assessed in terms of number and composition of litters. Furthermore, Clean Environment Index (CEI) was used for the first time to interpret the results. The results indicated that 60% of the coasts and 50% of the urban areas were in a dirty status and only 22% of the total surveyed areas were found to be in a clean status. The highest number of litters observed in the study areas was cigarette butt. Due to the impact of risk factor of different types of littered waste, it was obviously clear that CEI offers a more realistic and rigorous interpretation than CCI. Therefore, this new index can be considered to evaluate litters pollution in various areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Jonidi Jafari
- Research Center for Environmental Health Technology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parvaneh Latifi
- Department of Geography and Environment Management of Health, Safety and Environment Islamic Azad University Tehran Central Branch, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zohre Kazemi
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Kazemi
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Morovati
- Department of Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Ardakan University, P.O. Box 184, Ardakan, Iran
| | - Mahdi Farzadkia
- Research Center for Environmental Health Technology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Javad Torkashvand
- Research Center for Environmental Health Technology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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13
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14
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Stagličić N, Bojanić Varezić D, Kurtović Mrčelić J, Pavičić M, Tutman P. Marine litter on the shallow seafloor at Natura 2000 sites of the Central Eastern Adriatic Sea. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 168:112432. [PMID: 33962083 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Shallow seafloor marine litter (ML) is the least studied component of ML, and a better understanding of its distribution and accumulation patterns is needed to develop efficient management practices. Abundance and composition of seafloor ML were quantified in two eastern Adriatic Natura 2000 sites (Vis Island and Pakleni Islands), applying a structured sampling design to test whether the intensity of nautical tourism or exposure to prevailing winds and currents are significant drivers determining the ML distribution on shallow, coastal seafloor. ML was widespread and present in considerable amounts across the entire studied area, regardless of the remoteness from most known potential ML sources. Tourism intensity and exposure seem not to be significant predictors of ML accumulation in the investigated Natura 2000 sites. ML abundances displayed large small-scale spatial variation, while for ML composition at a larger scale, regional differences between the two Natura 2000 sites were detected. The Pakleni Islands are mainly polluted by glass items, suggesting a local vessel-based source. The ML composition on Vis Island, with a predominance of plastics, is more determined by long-distance transport. The study indicates the complexity and multi-layeredness of processes driving the patterns of seafloor ML accumulation. Hence, it is suggested to mitigate the issue by addressing the root causes: inadequate waste management and lack of public awareness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nika Stagličić
- Institute of Oceanography & Fisheries, Šetalište Ivana Meštrovića 63, 21000 Split, Croatia.
| | | | - Jelena Kurtović Mrčelić
- Public Institution for the Management of Protected Areas in the County of Split and Dalmatia "Sea and karst", Prilaz braće Kaliterna 10, 21000 Split, Croatia.
| | - Mišo Pavičić
- Institute of Oceanography & Fisheries, Šetalište Ivana Meštrovića 63, 21000 Split, Croatia.
| | - Pero Tutman
- Institute of Oceanography & Fisheries, Šetalište Ivana Meštrovića 63, 21000 Split, Croatia.
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15
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Consoli P, Esposito V, Battaglia P, Perzia P, Scotti G, D'Alessandro M, Canese S, Andaloro F, Romeo T. Marine litter pollution associated with hydrothermal sites in the Aeolian archipelago (western Mediterranean Sea). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 773:144968. [PMID: 33940707 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.144968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The Aeolian Archipelago, in the western Mediterranean Sea, is an active volcanic arc hosting several hydrothermal sites. This area, considered a Vulnerable Marine Ecosystem by The Food and Agriculture Organization because of its ecological importance and biodiversity value, is affected by various pressures and threats that may act as sources of marine litter. The aim of this paper was to analyse the composition and distribution of marine litter on the seafloor of this archipelago with a specific focus on the hydrothermal areas, using almost 60 h of remotely operated vehicle footage collected at depths of 15 to 411 m. Derelict fishing gear represented the main source of marine debris (71.9% of the overall litter); nevertheless, the observed mean litter density was quite low (0.57 items/100 m2) when compared with other Mediterranean areas, probably because fisheries in the area mainly use pelagic gear that has a low impact on the seabed. No differences were found in litter densities between hydrothermal and non-hydrothermal zones. The occurrence of benthic fauna impacted by debris was rarely recorded (only 10.6% of litter items showed interactions with species) and entanglement was the most commonly observed impact. However, both the density of synthetic fishing gear and its impact on habitats and species are bound to increase over time. Overall, plastics constituted most of the marine litter (79.7%). So, prevention and mitigation measures are needed in order to protect this sensitive ecosystem. To this end, the most effective strategy could be the establishment of a Marine Protected Area or a Site of Community Importance, due to the presence of habitats ("submarine structures made by leaking gases" and "reefs") listed in Annex I of the European Habitats Directive, where all fishing activities could be strictly regulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierpaolo Consoli
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn - SZN, National Institute of Biology, Ecology and Marine Biotechnology, Villa Pace - Contrada Porticatello 29, 98167 Messina, Italy
| | - Valentina Esposito
- National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics - OGS, via Auguste Piccard 54, 34151 Trieste, Italy.
| | - Pietro Battaglia
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn - SZN, National Institute of Biology, Ecology and Marine Biotechnology, Villa Pace - Contrada Porticatello 29, 98167 Messina, Italy
| | - Patrizia Perzia
- Institute for Environmental Protection and Research - ISPRA, Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo n. 4521, Località Addaura, 90149 Palermo, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Scotti
- Institute for Environmental Protection and Research - ISPRA, via dei Mille 46, 98057 Milazzo, ME, Italy
| | - Michela D'Alessandro
- Institute for Environmental Protection and Research - ISPRA, via dei Mille 46, 98057 Milazzo, ME, Italy
| | - Simonepietro Canese
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn - SZN, Research Infrastructures for Marine Biological Resources Department, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy
| | - Franco Andaloro
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn - SZN, Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo n. 4521, Località Addaura, 90149 Palermo, Italy
| | - Teresa Romeo
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn - SZN, National Institute of Biology, Ecology and Marine Biotechnology, Villa Pace - Contrada Porticatello 29, 98167 Messina, Italy; Institute for Environmental Protection and Research - ISPRA, via dei Mille 46, 98057 Milazzo, ME, Italy
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16
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Scotti G, Esposito V, D'Alessandro M, Panti C, Vivona P, Consoli P, Figurella F, Romeo T. Seafloor litter along the Italian coastal zone: An integrated approach to identify sources of marine litter. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2021; 124:203-212. [PMID: 33631445 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2021.01.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2021] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
A heterogeneous amount of waste of different origins is continuously generated along Italian coasts in the Mediterranean Sea. In this paper, using information regarding the quantities and the different types of marine litter based on Project AWARE's "Dive Against Debris" data, we try to identify the main sources of this waste. In particular, the methodological approach used associates the origin of marine litter sources with the dataset of geo-localised state-owned maritime concessions, which are loaded by the granting bodies (regions, municipalities, port authorities) on the State Property Information System (Sid). The sources of marine litter were evaluated using the matrix scoring technique (MST). Then, to assess the weight of each source in each station, the community-level weighted mean (CWM) was calculated. Single-use plastic accounted for the highest percentage (19.13%), followed by glass beverage bottles (10.90%), shopping bags (9.03%), aluminium beverage cans (4.91%), and cigarette butts (4.61%). Tourism and beach users contributed to 42.3% of the litter found, followed by fishing (15.7%) and yachting (11.3%). The overlapping of the data collected by scuba divers with the state concessions of activities from offshore and mainland areas was used to distinguish the anthropic pressures that impact the coast. Policy makers and the local administrator may use these results to define new methods of collection and reuse of anthropic waste through a more harmonised approach in the management of marine waste.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianfranco Scotti
- Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, ISPRA Via dei Mille 46, 98057 Milazzo, ME, Italy
| | - Valentina Esposito
- National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics (OGS), Via Auguste Piccard 54, 34151 Trieste, Italy
| | - Michela D'Alessandro
- Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, ISPRA Via dei Mille 46, 98057 Milazzo, ME, Italy.
| | - Cristina Panti
- Department of Physical Sciences, Earth and Environment, University of Siena, Via P. A. Mattioli, 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Pietro Vivona
- Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, ISPRA Via dei Mille 46, 98057 Milazzo, ME, Italy
| | - Pierpaolo Consoli
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Dipartimento Ecologia Marina Integrata, Sede Interdipartimentale della Sicilia, Via dei Mille 46, 98057 Milazzo, ME, Italy
| | | | - Teresa Romeo
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Dipartimento Ecologia Marina Integrata, Sede Interdipartimentale della Sicilia, Via dei Mille 46, 98057 Milazzo, ME, Italy; Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, ISPRA Via dei Mille 46, 98057 Milazzo, ME, Italy
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17
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A Survey of Marine Coastal Litters around Zhoushan Island, China and Their Impacts. JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/jmse9020183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Rapid development of the economy increased marine litter around Zhoushan Island. Social-ecological scenario studies can help to develop strategies to adapt to such change. To investigate the present situation of marine litter pollution, a stratified random sampling (StRS) method was applied to survey the distribution of marine coastal litters around Zhoushan Island. A univariate analysis of variance was conducted to access the amount of litter in different landforms that include mudflats, artificial and rocky beaches. In addition, two questionnaires were designed for local fishermen and tourists to provide social scenarios. The results showed that the distribution of litter in different landforms was significantly different, while the distribution of litter in different sampling points had no significant difference. The StRS survey showed to be a valuable method for giving a relative overview of beach litter around Zhoushan Island with less effort in a future survey. The questionnaire feedbacks helped to understand the source of marine litter and showed the impact on the local environment and economy. Based on the social-ecological scenarios, governance recommendations were provided in this paper.
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18
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Dominguez-Carrió C, Sanchez-Vidal A, Estournel C, Corbera G, Riera JL, Orejas C, Canals M, Gili JM. Seafloor litter sorting in different domains of Cap de Creus continental shelf and submarine canyon (NW Mediterranean Sea). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 161:111744. [PMID: 33171412 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 10/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We analyzed litter occurrence in 68 underwater video transects performed on the middle/outer continental shelf and submarine canyon off Cap de Creus (NW Mediterranean), an area recently declared Site of Community Importance (SCI). Low densities of urban litter were registered on the shelf (7.2 items ha-1), increasing in abundance towards the deepest part of the submarine canyon, with 188 items ha-1 below 1000 m depth. We hypothesize that the strong bottom currents that recurrently affect this area efficiently move litter objects from the shelf towards the deep. Of all litter items, approximately 50% had a fishing-related origin, mostly longlines entangled on rocks in the canyon head and discarded trawl nets in deeper areas. Over 10% of cold-water colonies observed had longlines entangled, indicating the harmful effects of such practices over benthic habitats. These results should be considered when designing mitigation measures to reduce litter pollution in Cap de Creus SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Dominguez-Carrió
- Institut de Ciències del Mar, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Anna Sanchez-Vidal
- GRC Geociències Marines, Departament de Dinàmica de la Terra i de l'Oceà, Facultat de Ciències de la Terra, Universitat de Barcelona, Martí i Franquès s/n, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Claude Estournel
- Laboratoire d'Etudes en Géophysique et Océanographie Spatiales (LEGOS), CNRS/UPS/CNES/IRD, Avenue Edouard Belin 14, 31400 Toulouse, France
| | - Guillem Corbera
- Institut de Ciències del Mar, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Lluís Riera
- Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Universitat de Barcelona, Avinguda Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Covadonga Orejas
- Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO), Oceanographic Centre of the Balearics (COB), Ecosystem Oceanography Group (GRECO), Moll de Ponent s/n, 07015 Palma, Spain
| | - Miquel Canals
- GRC Geociències Marines, Departament de Dinàmica de la Terra i de l'Oceà, Facultat de Ciències de la Terra, Universitat de Barcelona, Martí i Franquès s/n, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep-Maria Gili
- Institut de Ciències del Mar, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
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19
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Garofalo G, Quattrocchi F, Bono G, Di Lorenzo M, Di Maio F, Falsone F, Gancitano V, Geraci ML, Lauria V, Massi D, Scannella D, Titone A, Fiorentino F. What is in our seas? Assessing anthropogenic litter on the seafloor of the central Mediterranean Sea. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 266:115213. [PMID: 32688110 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Abundance, composition, and distribution of macro-litter found on the seafloor of the Strait of Sicily between 10 and 800 m depth has been studied using data collected by bottom trawl surveys MEDITS from 2015 to 2019. Three waste categories based on the items use were considered: single-use, fishing-related and generic-use. Over 600 sampling sites, just 14% of these were litter-free. The five-years average density of seafloor litter was 79.6 items/km2 and ranged between 46.8 in 2019 and 118.1 items/km2 in 2015. The predominant waste type was plastic (58% of all items). Regardless of material type, single-use items were a dominant (60% of items) and widespread (79% of hauls) fraction of litter with a mean density of 48.4 items/km2. Fishing-related items accounted for 12% of total litter items. Percentage of dirty hauls and litter density increased with depth. Analysis of the relation density-depth indicates a progressive increase of litter density beyond depth values situated within the interval 234-477 m depending on the litter category. A significant decrease in litter density by categories was observed over the period. Patterns of spatial distribution at the higher depths (200-80 0m) resulted stable over the years. Density hotspots of fishing-related items were found where the fishing activity that uses fish aggregating devices (FADs) is practised and in the proximity of rocky banks. Single-use and generic-use objects densities were greater on the seafloor along main maritime routes than other areas. Comparisons between the percentage of hauls littered with anthropic waste from the mid-1990s against those in 2018-19 highlighted an increase of about 10.8% and 15.3% for single-use items and fishing-related items respectively, and a decrease of 18.6% for generic-use items. This study provides a snapshot of the current situation of littering in the central Mediterranean Sea and represents a solid baseline against which the effectiveness of current and future mitigation strategies of the litter impact on marine environment can be measured.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Garofalo
- Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (IRBIM), National Research Council -CNR, Mazara del Vallo (TP), Italy.
| | - F Quattrocchi
- Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (IRBIM), National Research Council -CNR, Mazara del Vallo (TP), Italy.
| | - G Bono
- Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (IRBIM), National Research Council -CNR, Mazara del Vallo (TP), Italy.
| | - M Di Lorenzo
- Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (IRBIM), National Research Council -CNR, Mazara del Vallo (TP), Italy.
| | - F Di Maio
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences (BiGeA) -Marine Biology and Fisheries Laboratory of Fano (PU), University of Bologna (BO), Italy.
| | - F Falsone
- Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (IRBIM), National Research Council -CNR, Mazara del Vallo (TP), Italy.
| | - V Gancitano
- Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (IRBIM), National Research Council -CNR, Mazara del Vallo (TP), Italy.
| | - M L Geraci
- Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (IRBIM), National Research Council -CNR, Mazara del Vallo (TP), Italy; Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences (BiGeA) -Marine Biology and Fisheries Laboratory of Fano (PU), University of Bologna (BO), Italy.
| | - V Lauria
- Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (IRBIM), National Research Council -CNR, Mazara del Vallo (TP), Italy.
| | - D Massi
- Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (IRBIM), National Research Council -CNR, Mazara del Vallo (TP), Italy.
| | - D Scannella
- Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (IRBIM), National Research Council -CNR, Mazara del Vallo (TP), Italy.
| | - A Titone
- Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (IRBIM), National Research Council -CNR, Mazara del Vallo (TP), Italy.
| | - F Fiorentino
- Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (IRBIM), National Research Council -CNR, Mazara del Vallo (TP), Italy.
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20
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Alomar C, Deudero S, Compa M, Guijarro B. Exploring the relation between plastic ingestion in species and its presence in seafloor bottoms. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 160:111641. [PMID: 32919125 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
In order to have a wider understanding of the impacts of plastics on marine ecosystems, studies should approach different environmental compartments, such as seafloor and biota, at the same time. The aim of this research is to study the relation between microplastic ingestion in species and the amount of seafloor plastics caught in the same bottom trawls hauls of the western Mediterranean Sea to describe a potential overlap between these two indicators of plastic pollution. According to results, 15% of the sampled individuals ingested microplastics with a mean value of 0.30 ± 0.40 microplastics/individuals. Regarding seafloor plastics, these were present in 58% of the hauls with a mean value of 1.31 ± 0.09 kg/km2. The highest overlap between ingestion of microplastic in species and seafloor plastics was observed in the bay of Palma, the most urbanized area, but also in areas close to Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Carme Alomar
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares, Muelle de Poniente s/n, 07015 Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
| | - Salud Deudero
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares, Muelle de Poniente s/n, 07015 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Montserrat Compa
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares, Muelle de Poniente s/n, 07015 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Beatriz Guijarro
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares, Muelle de Poniente s/n, 07015 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
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21
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Assessment of Marine Litter in the Coralligenous Habitat of a Marine Protected Area along the Ionian Coast of Sicily (Central Mediterranean). JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/jmse8090656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In the Mediterranean Sea, the coralligenous is an extremely important habitat for its biodiversity and role in carbon sequestration. However, coralligenous biocenosis is sensitive to many anthropogenic impacts, among which one of the major threats is the marine litter. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the marine litter present in the coralligenous habitat of the Marine Protected Area (MPA) Isole Ciclopi (Sicily, Italy). Through the analysis of frames obtained by Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) videos, data on the type of marine litter, grade of organisms’ coverage, litter-organism interactions, and seabed coverage of items were gained. Through ROV surveys, a low number of marine litter items was observed and most of them were fishing gears. On the found items there was a high degree of organisms’ coverage, which suggests that probably the marine litter was abandoned or lost since a long time. Overall, it was observed that in recent years the fishing activity in the MPA has not affected the coralligenous habitat. The present study represents a baseline for future monitoring programmes, which will be useful to develop protection measures and sustainable fishing, in order to preserve the coralligenous habitat of the MPA.
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22
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Mecho A, Francescangeli M, Ercilla G, Fanelli E, Estrada F, Valencia J, Sobrino I, Danovaro R, Company JB, Aguzzi J. Deep-sea litter in the Gulf of Cadiz (Northeastern Atlantic, Spain). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 153:110969. [PMID: 32056861 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.110969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This study describes the distribution and composition of litter from the Gulf of Cadiz (Northeastern Atlantic, Spain), a region of confluence between the Atlantic and Mediterranean, with intense maritime traffic. Several geological features, such as canyons, open slopes and contourite furrows and channels, were surveyed by remotely operated vehicle (ROV) observations between depths of 220 and 1000 m. Marine litter was quantified by grouping the observations into six categories. Our results indicate the presence of markedly different habitats in which a complex collection of different types of litter accumulate in relation to bottom current flows and maritime and fishing routes. This result justifies a seascape approach in further anthropogenic impact studies within deep-sea areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariadna Mecho
- Núcleo Milenio de Ecología y Manejo Sustentable de Islas Oceánicas (ESMOI), Departamento de Biología Marina, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo, Chile.
| | - Marco Francescangeli
- Polytechnic University of Cataluña (SARTI-UPC), Vilanova I la Gertrú, Spain; Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche (UNIVPM), Ancona, Italy
| | - Gemma Ercilla
- Instituto de Ciencias del Mar (ICM-CSIC), Continental Margin Group-GMC, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Emanuela Fanelli
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche (UNIVPM), Ancona, Italy
| | - Ferran Estrada
- Instituto de Ciencias del Mar (ICM-CSIC), Continental Margin Group-GMC, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Ignacio Sobrino
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Apartado 2609, Cadiz, Spain
| | - Roberto Danovaro
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche (UNIVPM), Ancona, Italy; Stazione Zoologica di Napoli (SZN) Anton Dohrn, Napoles, Italy
| | - Joan B Company
- Instituto de Ciencias del Mar (ICM-CSIC), Continental Margin Group-GMC, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jacopo Aguzzi
- Instituto de Ciencias del Mar (ICM-CSIC), Continental Margin Group-GMC, Barcelona, Spain; Stazione Zoologica di Napoli (SZN) Anton Dohrn, Napoles, Italy
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Consoli P, Sinopoli M, Deidun A, Canese S, Berti C, Andaloro F, Romeo T. The impact of marine litter from fish aggregation devices on vulnerable marine benthic habitats of the central Mediterranean Sea. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 152:110928. [PMID: 32479300 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.110928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this research was to assess marine litter abundance and its effects on the benthic fauna in an area of the central Mediterranean Sea exploited by fisheries using fish aggregating devices (FAD). The study was carried out by means of a remotely-operated vehicle (ROV). Derelict fishing gear, mainly FAD ropes, represented the main source of marine debris, contributing 96.2% to the overall litter. About 47% of debris items (mostly FAD ropes) entangled colonies of the protected black coral Leiopathes glaberrima. The results of this research will assist in the monitoring of "impact/harm" to the coral and other benthic communities, as recommended by the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and by the Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme. Preventive and mitigation measures (i.e., biodegradable fishing gear, onboard technology to locate and retrieve gear, reception and/or payment for old/retrieved gear, and introduction of no-take zones) to reduce the problem are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierpaolo Consoli
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Centro Interdipartimentale della Sicilia, Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Milazzo, Via dei Mille, 46-98057 Milazzo, ME, Italy
| | - Mauro Sinopoli
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Centro Interdipartimentale Della Sicilia, Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Palermo, Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo N. 4521 (ex Complesso Roosevelt) Località Addaura, 90149 Palermo, Italy.
| | - Alan Deidun
- Department of Geosciences, University of Malta Tal-Qroqq campus, Msida, MSD 2080, Malta
| | - Simonepietro Canese
- Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), BIO-HBT, Via Vitaliano Brancati 48, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Berti
- Marine Expert, Via Paradiso, 98057 Milazzo, ME, Italy
| | - Franco Andaloro
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Centro Interdipartimentale Della Sicilia, Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Palermo, Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo N. 4521 (ex Complesso Roosevelt) Località Addaura, 90149 Palermo, Italy
| | - Teresa Romeo
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Centro Interdipartimentale della Sicilia, Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Milazzo, Via dei Mille, 46-98057 Milazzo, ME, Italy
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Enrichetti F, Dominguez-Carrió C, Toma M, Bavestrello G, Canese S, Bo M. Assessment and distribution of seafloor litter on the deep Ligurian continental shelf and shelf break (NW Mediterranean Sea). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 151:110872. [PMID: 32056651 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.110872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Litter has become a common component of marine ecosystems, and its assessment and monitoring are now of primary interest. Here, we characterized seafloor litter in the mesophotic depth range of the Ligurian Sea, one of the most urbanized basins of the Mediterranean Sea. Eighty sites (30-220 m depth) were investigated by by means of ROV video transects. Data regarding environmental parameters and anthropic pressures were used to explain the distribution of human-derived objects. Litter resulted widely distributed in all the investigated areas, with maximum densities of 7900 items ha-1. It was mainly represented by abandoned fishing gears, with highest abundances found on the deep coastal rocky shoals exploited by artisanal and recreational fishermen. Urban litter, primarily represented by plastics, was generally higher close to shore, especially near river mouths and large harbors. Litter densities reported here are among the highest ever recorded in Europe, denoting the urgency for specific actions to prevent further spreading.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Enrichetti
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita, Università degli Studi di Genova, Corso Europa, 26 - 16132 Genova, Italy.
| | - Carlos Dominguez-Carrió
- Okeanos Research Centre, Universidade dos Açores, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pesca, 9901-862 Horta, Portugal; IMAR Instituto do Mar, Universidade dos Açores, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pesca, 9901-862 Horta, Portugal
| | - Margherita Toma
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita, Università degli Studi di Genova, Corso Europa, 26 - 16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Giorgio Bavestrello
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita, Università degli Studi di Genova, Corso Europa, 26 - 16132 Genova, Italy
| | | | - Marzia Bo
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita, Università degli Studi di Genova, Corso Europa, 26 - 16132 Genova, Italy
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25
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Sinopoli M, Cillari T, Andaloro F, Berti C, Consoli P, Galgani F, Romeo T. Are FADs a significant source of marine litter? Assessment of released debris and mitigation strategy in the Mediterranean sea. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2020; 253:109749. [PMID: 31671325 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.109749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Revised: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
A poorly known form of marine litter known as Abandoned, Lost or otherwise Discarded Fishing (ALDFG) derives from fishing activities using FADs (Fish Aggregating Devices). In the Mediterranean Sea, this activity is widespread in southern Italy, Tunisia, Malta and Majorca (Spain). The way of constructing FADs, from a functional point of view, is very similar throughout the Mediterranean and consists mainly of the use of different materials for the floats and for the cables and blocks for anchoring. Every year, for at least 30 years, about 60,000 FADs have been placed at sea and in most cases are not recovered. In this study, through analysis of the scientific and grey literature, a historical reconstruction of the use of FADs in the Mediterranean Sea was made, including their spatial distribution, the number of objects and the materials used to build the devices. It has been estimated that approximately 1.6 million FADs were abandoned in the Mediterranean Sea between 1961 and 2017. The largest fishing areas are off Malta (34,465 km2) and Tunisia (23,033 km2). The greatest numbers of abandoned plastic sheets (452,742) and concrete blocks (905,483) were estimated to be around Tunisia, while the greatest amount, in terms of length, of polyethylene cable (399,423 km) was estimated to be around Sicily. About 30% of FADs used all over the world are used in the Mediterranean and are only of the anchored type (corresponding to about 90% of those anchored used worldwide). The legislation on the use of Mediterranean FADs is still poor and does not address environmental issues. An analysis of the possible environmental impacts of the FAD litter was made. Overall, reducing the number of FADs and introducing new types of FADs equipped with specific technological systems appear to be the most suitable strategies to mitigate the impact of FADs on the environment and resources, as well as measures and incentives to involve fishermen in their better management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Sinopoli
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Centro Interdipartimentale Della Sicilia, Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Palermo. Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo N. 4521 (ex Complesso Roosevelt) Località Addaura, 90149, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Tiziana Cillari
- Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), BIO-CIT. Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo N. 4521 (ex Complesso Roosevelt) Località Addaura, 90149, Palermo, Italy
| | - Franco Andaloro
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Centro Interdipartimentale Della Sicilia, Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Palermo. Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo N. 4521 (ex Complesso Roosevelt) Località Addaura, 90149, Palermo, Italy
| | - Claudio Berti
- Marine Expert, Via Paradiso, 98057, Milazzo, ME, Italy
| | - Pierpaolo Consoli
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Centro Interdipartimentale Della Sicilia, Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Milazzo. Via Dei Mille, 46 - 98057, Milazzo, ME, Italy
| | | | - Teresa Romeo
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Centro Interdipartimentale Della Sicilia, Integrative Marine Ecology Department, Milazzo. Via Dei Mille, 46 - 98057, Milazzo, ME, Italy; Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), BIO-CIT. Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo N. 4521 (ex Complesso Roosevelt) Località Addaura, 90149, Palermo, Italy
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Jägerbrand AK, Brutemark A, Barthel Svedén J, Gren IM. A review on the environmental impacts of shipping on aquatic and nearshore ecosystems. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 695:133637. [PMID: 31422318 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.133637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
There are several environmental and ecological effects of shipping. However, these are rarely assessed in total in the scientific literature. Thus, the aim of this study was to summarize the different impacts of water-based transport on aquatic and nearshore ecosystems and to identify knowledge gaps and areas for future research. The review identified several environmental and ecological consequences within the main impact categories of water discharges, physical impacts, and air emissions. However, although quantitative data on these consequences are generally scarce the shipping contribution to acidification by SOx- and NOx-emissions has been quantified to some extent. There are several knowledge gaps regarding the ecological consequences of, for example, the increasing amount of chemicals transported on water, the spread of non-indigenous species coupled with climate change, and physical impacts such as shipping noise and artificial light. The whole plethora of environmental consequences, as well as potential synergistic effects, should be seriously considered in transport planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika K Jägerbrand
- Calluna AB, Hästholmsvägen 28, SE-131 30 Nacka, Sweden; Department of Construction Engineering and Lighting Science, School of Engineering, Jönköping University, P.O. Box 1026, SE-551 11 Jönköping, Sweden.
| | | | | | - Ing-Marie Gren
- Department of Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7013, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden
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27
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Fernández C, Anastasopoulou A. Plastic ingestion by blue shark Prionace glauca in the South Pacific Ocean (south of the Peruvian Sea). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2019; 149:110501. [PMID: 31421567 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.110501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The present study documented for the first time data on plastic ingestion by Prionace glauca in the South Pacific Ocean, south of the Peruvian Sea. In total, 136 individuals were studied between 2015 and 2016. Their size ranged from 61.5 to 255.0 cm TL. Pieces of plastic bags were found in the stomach contents, corresponding to the 2.2% of the individuals. The mean number of ingested plastics was 0.02. The polymer type identified by FT-IR for the pieces of plastics bags was polyethylene.
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Affiliation(s)
- César Fernández
- Laboratorio de Ecología Trófica, Instituto del Mar del Perú, Esquina Gamarra y General Valle S/N Chucuito Callao, Peru.
| | - Aikaterini Anastasopoulou
- Hellenic Center for Marine Research, Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Water, 46.7 Km Athens Sounio, Mavro Lithari, P.O. Box. 19013, Anavissos, Attica, Greece.
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28
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Battaglia P, Consoli P, Ammendolia G, D'Alessandro M, Bo M, Vicchio TM, Pedà C, Cavallaro M, Andaloro F, Romeo T. Colonization of floats from submerged derelict fishing gears by four protected species of deep-sea corals and barnacles in the Strait of Messina (central Mediterranean Sea). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2019; 148:61-65. [PMID: 31422304 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.07.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Revised: 07/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The distribution of floating litter in marine waters, influenced by currents and wind drag, often determines the dispersal of its encrusting fauna. In the present paper, we observed for the first time the colonization of rafting floats from abandoned, lost or derelict fishing gears (ALDFG) by the four protected deep-sea species: Errina aspera, Desmophyllum pertusum, Madrepora oculata Pachylasma giganteum. Overall, 41 floats, colonized by deep benthic species, were found stranded on the shore of the Sicilian coast of the Strait of Messina, between 2016 and 2019. Species composition, number and occurrence of colonizing organisms were analyzed. On the basis of the species composition (the association between E. aspera, P. giganteum and Megabalanus tulipiformis), the knowledge on their ecology, biogeography, path of local currents, it was possible to define that the area of origin of the most part of these fishing net floats was the Strait of Messina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Battaglia
- SZN, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Pace, via Consolare Pompea (93,51 km), 98167 Messina, Italy.
| | - Pierpaolo Consoli
- SZN, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Pace, via Consolare Pompea (93,51 km), 98167 Messina, Italy
| | | | - Michela D'Alessandro
- ISPRA, Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, BIO-CIT, Via dei Mille, 46, 98057, Milazzo, ME, Italy
| | - Marzia Bo
- DISTAV, Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences, University of Genoa, Corso Europa 16, 16132 Genova, Italy
| | | | - Cristina Pedà
- ISPRA, Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, BIO-CIT, Via dei Mille, 46, 98057, Milazzo, ME, Italy
| | - Mauro Cavallaro
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario dell'Annunziata, 98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Franco Andaloro
- SZN, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Pace, via Consolare Pompea (93,51 km), 98167 Messina, Italy
| | - Teresa Romeo
- SZN, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Villa Pace, via Consolare Pompea (93,51 km), 98167 Messina, Italy; ISPRA, Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, BIO-CIT, Via dei Mille, 46, 98057, Milazzo, ME, Italy
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29
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Mearns AJ, Bissell M, Morrison AM, Rempel-Hester MA, Arthur C, Rutherford N. Effects of pollution on marine organisms. WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH : A RESEARCH PUBLICATION OF THE WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION 2019; 91:1229-1252. [PMID: 31513312 DOI: 10.1002/wer.1218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This review covers selected 2018 articles on the biological effects of pollutants, including human physical disturbances, on marine and estuarine plants, animals, ecosystems, and habitats. The review, based largely on journal articles, covers field and laboratory measurement activities (bioaccumulation of contaminants, field assessment surveys, toxicity testing, and biomarkers) as well as pollution issues of current interest including endocrine disrupters, emerging contaminants, wastewater discharges, marine debris, dredging, and disposal. Special emphasis is placed on effects of oil spills and marine debris due largely to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil blowout in the Gulf of Mexico and proliferation of data on the assimilation and effects of marine debris. Several topical areas reviewed in the past (e.g., mass mortalities ocean acidification) were dropped this year. The focus of this review is on effects, not on pollutant sources, chemistry, fate, or transport. There is considerable overlap across subject areas (e.g., some bioaccumulation data may be appear in other topical categories such as effects of wastewater discharges, or biomarker studies appearing in oil toxicity literature). Therefore, we strongly urge readers to use keyword searching of the text and references to locate related but distributed information. Although nearly 400 papers are cited, these now represent a fraction of the literature on these subjects. Use this review mainly as a starting point. And please consult the original papers before citing them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan J Mearns
- Emergency Response Division, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Seattle, Washington
| | - Mathew Bissell
- Emergency Response Division, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Seattle, Washington
| | | | | | | | - Nicolle Rutherford
- Emergency Response Division, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Seattle, Washington
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30
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Bottari T, Savoca S, Mancuso M, Capillo G, GiuseppePanarello G, MartinaBonsignore M, Crupi R, Sanfilippo M, D'Urso L, Compagnini G, Neri F, Romeo T, Luna GM, Spanò N, Fazio E. Plastics occurrence in the gastrointestinal tract of Zeus faber and Lepidopus caudatus from the Tyrrhenian Sea. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2019; 146:408-416. [PMID: 31426175 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The present study investigates the occurrence of plastic pollution in two commercially important marine teleosts (Zeus faber and Lepidopus caudatus) from the northern coasts of Sicily (Tyrrhenian Sea). Plastics occurrence in the gastrointestinal tract was higher in Lepidopus caudatus (78.1%) than Zeus faber (51.4%). Debris characterization, carried out by micro-Raman spectroscopy, allowed identified the main types of found polymers as: polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA), nylon and, to a lesser extent, polyethylene (PE). Of the two fish species studied, the silver scabbardfish appeared to be the more vulnerable to plastic ingestion. Our study represents a starting point that may pave the way for future investigation of the fate, accumulation and transfer of plastic debris to upper trophic levels, to verify their potential toxicity and to better understand strategies to mitigate this phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Bottari
- Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (IRBIM) - CNR, Spianata San Raineri 86, 98122 Messina, Italy; Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Centro Interdipartimentale della Sicilia, Italy
| | - Serena Savoca
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Monique Mancuso
- Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (IRBIM) - CNR, Spianata San Raineri 86, 98122 Messina, Italy; Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Centro Interdipartimentale della Sicilia, Italy
| | - Gioele Capillo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Giuseppe GiuseppePanarello
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Martina MartinaBonsignore
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Rosalia Crupi
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Marilena Sanfilippo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno D'Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Luisa D'Urso
- Department of Chemical Science, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, Catania 95125, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Compagnini
- Department of Chemical Science, University of Catania, Viale A. Doria 6, Catania 95125, Italy
| | - Fortunato Neri
- Department of Mathematical and Computational Sciences, Physical Science and Earth Science, Messina University, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Teresa Romeo
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Centro Interdipartimentale della Sicilia, Italy; Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, ISPRA, 98057, Milazzo (ME), Italy
| | - Gian Marco Luna
- Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (IRBIM) - CNR, Spianata San Raineri 86, 98122 Messina, Italy; Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (IRBIM) - CNR, Section of Ancona, Largo Fiera della Pesca, 60125 Ancona, Italy
| | - Nunziacarla Spanò
- Department of Biomedical, Dental and Morphological and Functional Imaging University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, Messina, Italy.
| | - Enza Fazio
- Department of Mathematical and Computational Sciences, Physical Science and Earth Science, Messina University, 98166 Messina, Italy
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31
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Bayo J, Rojo D, Olmos S. Abundance, morphology and chemical composition of microplastics in sand and sediments from a protected coastal area: The Mar Menor lagoon (SE Spain). ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 252:1357-1366. [PMID: 31254893 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents the abundance and ubiquitous presence of microplastics in a protected coastal zone located in the southeast of Spain: The Mar Menor lagoon, an important tourist destination in this region. Seventeen sampling sites, corresponding to both intertidal and backshore points, were collected during winter 2017 and 2018, being situated in different protected areas according to international, European and Spanish environmental policies. The main objectives of the study were to examine microplastics in both protected and non-protected areas, and to test the importance of local activities on their presence. Northwest samples reported higher average microplastic concentrations than samples collected in the southeastern part of the coastal lagoon, likely due to the extensive use of sludge from wastewater treatment plants besides the fragmentation of low density polyethylene from plastic greenhouses, being microplastic films also higher for northwest than for southeast samples. Moreover, large inter-site differences observed in microplastic concentrations also demonstrated that local activities, mainly tourism and fishery, may play an important role as microplastic sources. The extensive amount of 17 different polymer types identified in this paper, much higher than most reported in similar studies, together with the variety of colors of microplastics most of them in a fragmented form (59.4%) and mainly detected in urban beaches, should be related to the geographical situation of this coastal lagoon, together with enormous environmental passives accumulated over the past 50 years. Only polyvinyl ester resins proved to be statistically higher in non-protected than in protected zones, probably related to their use in manufacturing boat hulls, although sources and pathways for microplastics are always difficult to assess. Measures to avoid microplastic pollution should be taken through educational programs, with also a clear commitment from plastic producers and transformers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Bayo
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Cartagena, Paseo Alfonso XIII 44, E-30203, Cartagena, Spain.
| | - Dolores Rojo
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Cartagena, Paseo Alfonso XIII 44, E-30203, Cartagena, Spain
| | - Sonia Olmos
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Cartagena, Paseo Alfonso XIII 44, E-30203, Cartagena, Spain
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32
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Consoli P, Romeo T, Angiolillo M, Canese S, Esposito V, Salvati E, Scotti G, Andaloro F, Tunesi L. Marine litter from fishery activities in the Western Mediterranean sea: The impact of entanglement on marine animal forests. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2019; 249:472-481. [PMID: 30928519 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.03.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Revised: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The anthropogenic marine debris, especially abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG), represents a rising concern, because of its potential harmful impact on the marine animal forests. We carried out 13 km of video recordings, by means of a remotely operated vehicle, from 10 to 210 m depth, in an anthropised area of the Tyrrhenian Sea (Mediterranean Sea). This site, for its high ecological importance and biodiversity value, has been identified for the establishment of a new marine protected area (MPA). The aim of this paper was to assess marine litter abundance and its effects on the benthic fauna. The debris density, in the study area, ranged from 0.24 to 8.01 items/100 m2, with an average of 3.49 (±0.59) items/100 m2. The derelict fishing gear, mainly fishing lines, were the main source of marine debris, contributing 77.9% to the overall litter. The impacts of debris on the benthic fauna were frequently recorded, with 28.5% of the litter entangling corals and impacting habitats of conservation concern. These impacts were exclusively caused by the derelict fishing gear (91.2% by longlines), and the highest percentage (49.1%) of ALDFG causing impacts was observed from 41 to 80 m depth, in the coralligenous biocenosis. The results of the present study will help the fulfilment of "harm" monitoring, as recommended by the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) and the UN Environment/MAP Regional Plan on the marine litter management in the Mediterranean Sea. Regarding the actions to reduce the derelict fishing gear, preventive measures are usually preferred instead of the extensive removals based on cost-effectiveness and sustainability. The establishment of a new MPA in the area could be a good solution to reduce ALDFG, resulting in the improvement of the ecological status of this coastal area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierpaolo Consoli
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Centro Interdipartimentale della Sicilia, Via dei Mille 46, 98057, Milazzo (ME), Italy.
| | - Teresa Romeo
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Centro Interdipartimentale della Sicilia, Via dei Mille 46, 98057, Milazzo (ME), Italy; Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), BIO-DIR, Via Vitaliano Brancati 48, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Michela Angiolillo
- Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), BIO-DIR, Via Vitaliano Brancati 48, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Simonepietro Canese
- Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), BIO-DIR, Via Vitaliano Brancati 48, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Esposito
- Istituto di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale, OCE, via Auguste Piccard 54, 34151, Trieste, Italy
| | - Eva Salvati
- Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), BIO-DIR, Via Vitaliano Brancati 48, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Scotti
- Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), BIO-CIT, Via dei Mille 46, 98057, Milazzo (ME), Italy
| | - Franco Andaloro
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Centro Interdipartimentale della Sicilia, Via dei Mille 46, 98057, Milazzo (ME), Italy
| | - Leonardo Tunesi
- Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), BIO-DIR, Via Vitaliano Brancati 48, 00144, Rome, Italy
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Moschino V, Riccato F, Fiorin R, Nesto N, Picone M, Boldrin A, Da Ros L. Is derelict fishing gear impacting the biodiversity of the Northern Adriatic Sea? An answer from unique biogenic reefs. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 663:387-399. [PMID: 30716629 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.01.363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- V Moschino
- Institute of Marine Sciences (ISMAR), CNR, Arsenale Tesa 104, Castello, 2737/F, 30122 Venice, Italy.
| | - F Riccato
- Laguna Project snc, Castello, 6411, 30122 Venice, Italy
| | - R Fiorin
- Laguna Project snc, Castello, 6411, 30122 Venice, Italy
| | - N Nesto
- Institute of Marine Sciences (ISMAR), CNR, Arsenale Tesa 104, Castello, 2737/F, 30122 Venice, Italy
| | - M Picone
- Laguna Project snc, Castello, 6411, 30122 Venice, Italy; Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca' Foscari University, Campus Scientifico via Torino 155, Mestre, I-30170 Venice, Italy
| | - A Boldrin
- Institute of Marine Sciences (ISMAR), CNR, Arsenale Tesa 104, Castello, 2737/F, 30122 Venice, Italy
| | - L Da Ros
- Institute of Marine Sciences (ISMAR), CNR, Arsenale Tesa 104, Castello, 2737/F, 30122 Venice, Italy
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Strafella P, Fabi G, Despalatovic M, Cvitković I, Fortibuoni T, Gomiero A, Guicciardi S, Marceta B, Raicevich S, Tassetti AN, Spagnolo A, Scarcella G. Assessment of seabed litter in the Northern and Central Adriatic Sea (Mediterranean) over six years. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2019; 141:24-35. [PMID: 30955731 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.12.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Revised: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/31/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Seabed debris is much less investigated in respect to the sea surface and shores due to sampling difficulties and costs. However, detecting marine benthic litter is fundamental for developing policies aimed at achieving the Good Environmental Status in European Seas by 2020, as requested by the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. This study estimates seafloor litter abundance, composition, spatial distribution and main sources in the North-Central Adriatic Sea (FAO GSA 17) over a six-year period (2011-2016) with 67 stations sampled per year, representing the longest data set for the basin. Litter items collected using a "rapido" trawl were classified in six major categories. The average density of the litter collected over six years was 102.66 ± 41.91 kg/km2. The highest concentration of litter was found in stations close to the coast within 30 m depth with a mean weight of 142.90 ± 27.20 kg/km2, while the lowest value was recorded between 30 and 50 m of depth (41.12 ± 9.62 kg/km2). Plastic was dominant followed by metal and other litter materials. Lost fishing nets and mussel culture debris accounted for 50% of the overall plastic litter collected. These data and the systematic monitoring of marine litter provide useful information to implement necessary measures to manage marine litter and minimize this type of anthropogenic pollution in the Adriatic region.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Strafella
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute for Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnology (IRBIM), L.go Fiera della Pesca, 2, 60125 Ancona, Italy.
| | - G Fabi
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute for Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnology (IRBIM), L.go Fiera della Pesca, 2, 60125 Ancona, Italy.
| | - M Despalatovic
- Institut za Oceanografiju i Ribarstvo (IOF), Šetalište I. Meštrovic'a 63, 21000 Split, Croatia.
| | - I Cvitković
- Institut za Oceanografiju i Ribarstvo (IOF), Šetalište I. Meštrovic'a 63, 21000 Split, Croatia.
| | - T Fortibuoni
- Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, Via Ca' Fornacetta 9, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy; Institute of Oceanography Experimental Geophysics, Borgo Grotta Gigante 42/c, 34010 Sgonico, Trieste, Italy.
| | - A Gomiero
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute for Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnology (IRBIM), L.go Fiera della Pesca, 2, 60125 Ancona, Italy; Norwegian Research Centre-Norce, Environmental Dep., Mekjarvik 11, 4070 Randaberg, Norway.
| | - S Guicciardi
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute for Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnology (IRBIM), L.go Fiera della Pesca, 2, 60125 Ancona, Italy.
| | - B Marceta
- Fisheries Research Institute of Slovenia (FRIS), Sp. Gameljne 61a, 1211 Ljubljana-Šmartno, Slovenia.
| | - S Raicevich
- Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, Via Ca' Fornacetta 9, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy.
| | - A N Tassetti
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute for Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnology (IRBIM), L.go Fiera della Pesca, 2, 60125 Ancona, Italy.
| | - A Spagnolo
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute for Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnology (IRBIM), L.go Fiera della Pesca, 2, 60125 Ancona, Italy.
| | - G Scarcella
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute for Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnology (IRBIM), L.go Fiera della Pesca, 2, 60125 Ancona, Italy.
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Fortibuoni T, Ronchi F, Mačić V, Mandić M, Mazziotti C, Peterlin M, Prevenios M, Prvan M, Somarakis S, Tutman P, Varezić DB, Virsek MK, Vlachogianni T, Zeri C. A harmonized and coordinated assessment of the abundance and composition of seafloor litter in the Adriatic-Ionian macroregion (Mediterranean Sea). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2019; 139:412-426. [PMID: 30686445 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Revised: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Marine litter is a threat to marine life and an economic burden for coastal communities, but efforts to address the issue are hampered by the lack of data for many countries. We performed the first harmonized assessment of seafloor litter (trawl and visual surveys) in six countries of the Adriatic-Ionian macroregion. Seafloor litter showed an uneven distribution throughout the area, with large differences in litter densities and composition among countries and locations. An emerging problem in the area resulted in short-term & single-use objects that represented the largest fraction of litter. Packaging was the economic sector contributing most to seafloor litter on the continental shelf and upper slope, while in some areas aquaculture (mussel farming) represented a key activity producing marine litter. In coastal areas and bays (e.g. Boka Kotorska bay, Montenegro), seafloor litter was mainly related to construction activities and electronic goods, which are a consequence of fly-tipping/illegal dumping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomaso Fortibuoni
- Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, Via Ca' Fornacetta 9, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia, BO, Italy; Institute of Oceanography Experimental Geophysics, Borgo Grotta Gigante 42/c, 34010 Sgonico, TS, Italy.
| | - Francesca Ronchi
- Italian National Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, Loc. Brondolo, 30015 Chioggia, VE, Italy.
| | - Vesna Mačić
- University of Montenegro, Institute of Marine Biology, Dobrota bb, P. Box 69, 85330 Kotor, Montenegro.
| | - Milica Mandić
- University of Montenegro, Institute of Marine Biology, Dobrota bb, P. Box 69, 85330 Kotor, Montenegro.
| | - Cristina Mazziotti
- Regional Agency for Environmental Prevention and Energy in the Emilia-Romagna region, V.le Vespucci 2, 47042 Cesenatico, Italy.
| | - Monika Peterlin
- Institute for water of the Republic of Slovenia, Dunajska cesta 156, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Michael Prevenios
- Hellenic Center for Marine Research, Institute of Oceanography, 46.7 Km Athens Sounio, Mavro Lithari, P.O. Box 19013, Anavissos, Attica, Greece
| | - Mosor Prvan
- Association Sunce, Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda 7, 21000 Split, Croatia.
| | - Stelios Somarakis
- Hellenic Center for Marine Research, Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters, Thalassocosmos, Gourves, P.O. Box 2214, Heraklion 71003, Crete, Greece.
| | - Pero Tutman
- Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Šetalište Ivana Meštrovića 63, 21000 Split, Croatia.
| | | | - Manca Kovac Virsek
- Institute for water of the Republic of Slovenia, Dunajska cesta 156, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Thomais Vlachogianni
- Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development, Athens, Greece, Kyrristou 12, 10556, Athens, Greece.
| | - Christina Zeri
- Hellenic Center for Marine Research, Institute of Oceanography, 46.7 Km Athens Sounio, Mavro Lithari, P.O. Box 19013, Anavissos, Attica, Greece.
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36
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Impact of Plastic Pollution on Marine Life in the Mediterranean Sea. THE HANDBOOK OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/698_2019_421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Consoli P, Falautano M, Sinopoli M, Perzia P, Canese S, Esposito V, Battaglia P, Romeo T, Andaloro F, Galgani F, Castriota L. Composition and abundance of benthic marine litter in a coastal area of the central Mediterranean Sea. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2018; 136:243-247. [PMID: 30509804 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.09.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Revised: 09/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Abundance and qualitative composition of benthic marine litter were investigated in a coastal area of the central Mediterranean Sea. Almost 30 km of video footage, collected by a Remotely Operated Vehicle between 5 and 30 m depth, were analyzed. Litter density ranged from 0 to 0.64 items/m2 with a mean of 0.11 (±0.16) items/m2. General wastes, made up almost entirely of plastic objects, were the dominant sources of debris representing 68% of the overall litter. The remaining 32% consisted of lost or abandoned fishing gears. Synthetic polymers, considering both fishing gears and general waste, represented 73% of total debris items. Our results are comparable with litter amounts reported in other Mediterranean sites at similar depths. Overall, the results are discussed in terms of monitoring strategy, to support the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC) for descriptor 10 and the Mediterranean UN Environment (UNEP/MAP) regional Plan on Marine Litter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierpaolo Consoli
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn Napoli, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy; Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), BIO-CIT, Via dei Mille, 46, 98057 Milazzo, ME, Italy.
| | - Manuela Falautano
- Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), BIO-CIT, Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo n. 4521 (ex complesso Roosevelt) Località Addaura, 90149 Palermo, Italy
| | - Mauro Sinopoli
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn Napoli, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy; Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), BIO-CIT, Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo n. 4521 (ex complesso Roosevelt) Località Addaura, 90149 Palermo, Italy
| | - Patrizia Perzia
- Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), BIO-CIT, Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo n. 4521 (ex complesso Roosevelt) Località Addaura, 90149 Palermo, Italy
| | - Simonepietro Canese
- Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), BIO-HBT, Via Vitaliano Brancati 48, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Esposito
- Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e Geofisica Sperimentale (OGS), Via Auguste Piccard, 54, 34151 Trieste, Italy
| | - Pietro Battaglia
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn Napoli, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy; Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), BIO-CIT, Via dei Mille, 46, 98057 Milazzo, ME, Italy
| | - Teresa Romeo
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn Napoli, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy; Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), BIO-CIT, Via dei Mille, 46, 98057 Milazzo, ME, Italy
| | - Franco Andaloro
- Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn Napoli, Villa Comunale, 80121 Napoli, Italy; Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), BIO-CIT, Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo n. 4521 (ex complesso Roosevelt) Località Addaura, 90149 Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Luca Castriota
- Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), BIO-CIT, Lungomare Cristoforo Colombo n. 4521 (ex complesso Roosevelt) Località Addaura, 90149 Palermo, Italy
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38
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Galgani F, Pham CK, Claro F, Consoli P. Marine animal forests as useful indicators of entanglement by marine litter. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2018; 135:735-738. [PMID: 30301092 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Revised: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Entanglement of marine fauna is one of the principal impacts of marine litter, with an incidence that can vary strongly according to regions, the type and the quantity of marine litter. On the seafloor, areas dominated by sessile suspension feeders, such as tropical coral reefs or deep-sea coral and sponge aggregations, have been termed "animal forests" and have a strong potential to monitor the temporal and spatial trends of entanglement by marine litter, especially fishing gears. Several characteristics of these organisms represent advantages while avoiding constraints and bias. Biological constraints and logistical aspects, including tools, are discussed to better define a strategy for supporting long-term evaluation of accumulation and entanglement of marine litter.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christopher K Pham
- IMAR & Okeanos, Department of Oceanography and Fisheries, University of the Azores, Horta, Portugal
| | | | - Pierpaolo Consoli
- Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA), BIO-CIT, Milazzo, Italy; Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Napoli, Italy
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39
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Cau A, Bellodi A, Moccia D, Mulas A, Pesci P, Cannas R, Pusceddu A, Follesa MC. Dumping to the abyss: single-use marine litter invading bathyal plains of the Sardinian margin (Tyrrhenian Sea). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2018; 135:845-851. [PMID: 30301106 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2018] [Revised: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
This study reports data on benthic litter abundance, composition and distribution obtained during deep-sea trawl surveys conducted along the Sardinian continental margin down to the bathyal plain, at depths comprised from 740 to 1740 m. None of the investigated sites was litter free. Density ranged from a minimum of 4 to a maximum of >1300 litter items per km2, with a mean value of 258 ± 59 items. Plastic accounted for 56% of the total collected items, followed by glass (24%), metal (10%). Most items, irrespectively of the category, were single-use items. Fish abundance in all of the investigated catches was significantly higher than the number of litter items, the weight of which was similar to the reared fish biomass. Our results confirm that anthropogenic waste has reached the deep Mediterranean Sea, and that the most recent EU legislation banning single-use plastic tools represents a timely and necessary measure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Cau
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126 Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Andrea Bellodi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Davide Moccia
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Antonello Mulas
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Paola Pesci
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Rita Cannas
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Antonio Pusceddu
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Follesa
- Dipartimento di Scienze della vita e dell'ambiente, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126 Cagliari, Italy
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