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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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Markić A, Iveša N, Budiša A, Kovačić I, Burić P, Pustijanac E, Buršić M, Banai B, Legin DP, Palatinus A, Tutman P. Fragmented marine plastics as the prevalent litter type on a small island beach in the Adriatic. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 203:116467. [PMID: 38744047 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116467] [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: 03/10/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
The issue of plastic pollution has dramatically intensified in the recent years. Our study investigates extensive plastic contamination of a sandy beach on a small Adriatic island. The beach was sampled on three occasions, in 2013, 2020 and 2022, using 1 m2 quadrats placed along the lower and upper strandlines, resulting in average litter concentrations of 385 ± 106, 1095 ± 522 and 129 ± 37 item m-2, respectively. The lower size limit of collected litter was 1 mm, thus including large microplastics. Plastic fragments (49-74 %) and plastic pellets (15 %-37 %) were predominant litter categories. The proportion of fragments is significantly higher during the tourist season with a more intensive cleaning regime (April-October), as opposed to the off-season (November-March). Fisheries and aquaculture litter was identified as a relevant source of pollution. More research is needed in the future into the microplastics smaller than 1 mm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Markić
- MoreSe, Non-profit organisation, Franje Iskre 4, 52210 Rovinj, Croatia; Blue Spark, Environmental Consultancy, Put za Marleru 20, 52204 Ližnjan, Croatia.
| | - Neven Iveša
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, Zagrebačka 30, 52100 Pula, Croatia
| | - Andrea Budiša
- MoreSe, Non-profit organisation, Franje Iskre 4, 52210 Rovinj, Croatia; Department of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Droevendaalsesteeg 10, 6708 PB Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Ines Kovačić
- Faculty of Educational Sciences, Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, Zagrebačka 30, 52100 Pula, Croatia
| | - Petra Burić
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, Zagrebačka 30, 52100 Pula, Croatia
| | - Emina Pustijanac
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, Zagrebačka 30, 52100 Pula, Croatia
| | - Moira Buršić
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, Zagrebačka 30, 52100 Pula, Croatia
| | - Benjamin Banai
- Banai Analitika, obrt za obradu podataka, vl. Benjamin Banai, Josipa Jurja Strossmayera 341, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Dora Pokas Legin
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, Zagrebačka 30, 52100 Pula, Croatia
| | - Andreja Palatinus
- Poslovno svetovanje, Andreja Palatinus s.p., Pot v dolino 3C, 1261 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Pero Tutman
- Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Šetalište Ivana Meštovića 63, 21000 Split, Croatia
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Piers are hotspots for benthic marine debris in an urbanised estuary. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0274512. [PMID: 36576908 PMCID: PMC9797093 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Records of anthropogenic marine debris and the threats it poses are increasing worldwide, yet we know relatively little about the distribution of benthic debris. The seafloor is the final destination for a large proportion of debris due to the degradation and sinking of items. A more detailed understanding of debris distributions in hotspots such as urbanised estuaries can help decision makers target management and remediation activities. We selected sites frequented by fishers and boaters in Sydney Harbour, an urbanised estuary, to investigate the impacts of recreational activities on debris abundance. The aim of this study was to examine variation in macro debris (>5mm in diameter) type and abundance at two habitat types (piers and non-piers). We chose five locations at various distances from the estuary mouth. In each location SCUBA teams performed fixed transects at two sites, one under a pier and one over nearby soft-sediment habitat. Debris was recovered by the divers and brought to the surface for classification and disposal. Surveys were repeated multiple times at each location between November 2019 and February 2020, recording a total of 2803 debris items over 36 survey events. Overall, piers had more than ten times the debris abundance of soft-sediment sites, and much higher proportion of debris types related to recreational fishing. Over half of the debris items in this study were plastic (65%), and approximately 70% of the total debris was classified as related to recreational fishing. This trait was most prominent in debris at sites closest to the estuary mouth, likely reflecting increased fishing activity in this area. This study indicates that policy makers and community groups in urbanised estuaries should focus monitoring, reduction, and remediation efforts near artificial structures such as piers, and that public awareness campaigns should target the behaviour of recreational users of these structures.
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Fakiris E, Papatheodorou G, Kordella S, Christodoulou D, Galgani F, Geraga M. Insights into seafloor litter spatiotemporal dynamics in urbanized shallow Mediterranean bays. An optimized monitoring protocol using towed underwater cameras. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 308:114647. [PMID: 35124306 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.114647] [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: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring of marine litter at the sea surface, the beaches and the seafloor is essential to understanding their sources, pathways and sinks and design effective clean-up programs or increase public awareness for reducing litter waste. Up until today, seafloor litter is the least exploited component of marine litter. Although the protocols for recording and assessing seafloor litter in the deep-sea environments are currently being actively defined and practiced, shallow seafloor litter survey protocols are still notably under-developed. Moreover, trawling for fishing, which is the main means for collecting seafloor litter data, needs to be phased out in the coming years due to its high environmental footprint and be replaced by less destructive ways based on underwater imagery. In this paper we propose an integrated approach for assessing in detail the spatiotemporal distribution and composition of seafloor litter in shallow coastal environments, using common towed underwater cameras. Effort has been put to correctly estimating spatial litter densities regarding the true coverage of the visualized area, which was efficiently extracted through photogrammetric reconstruction of the seafloor. Interpretation of the spatial distribution of litter was aided by auxiliary bathymetric and swath sonar backscatter datasets, to determine the seabed geomorphological features that control their dispersion and composition. Local geo-morphology, along with any reported coastal anthropogenic activity, are correlated to seafloor litter densities to investigate the temporal and spatial dynamics that control their distribution and temporal trends in Syros Island, Cyclades, Greece. There, in the context of LIFE DEBAG project, monitoring of an urbanized shallow bay for 3 consecutive years has been performed to assess the impact of an intensive local awareness raising campaign to the local environment. A significant reduction of litter densities under the impact of this campaign has been documented, while links between the seafloor litter transport dynamics and the seabed micro- and macro-topography were made evident. Monitoring litter densities on the seafloor of urbanized shallow bays proved to be a prospective way of tracking marine litter pressures on the local marine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias Fakiris
- Laboratory of Marine Geology and Physical Oceanography, Department of Geology, University of Patras, 26500, Rion, Greece.
| | - George Papatheodorou
- Laboratory of Marine Geology and Physical Oceanography, Department of Geology, University of Patras, 26500, Rion, Greece.
| | - Stavroula Kordella
- Laboratory of Marine Geology and Physical Oceanography, Department of Geology, University of Patras, 26500, Rion, Greece.
| | - Dimitris Christodoulou
- Laboratory of Marine Geology and Physical Oceanography, Department of Geology, University of Patras, 26500, Rion, Greece.
| | - Francois Galgani
- Laboratoire Environnement Ressources Provence-Azur-Corse, Station de Corse, IFREMER, Immeuble Agostini, Z.I, Furiani, 20600, Bastia, France.
| | - Maria Geraga
- Laboratory of Marine Geology and Physical Oceanography, Department of Geology, University of Patras, 26500, Rion, Greece.
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Portz L, Manzolli RP, Villate-Daza DA, Fontán-Bouzas Á. Where does marine litter hide? The Providencia and Santa Catalina Island problem, SEAFLOWER Reserve (Colombia). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 813:151878. [PMID: 34826464 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The SEAFLOWER Biosphere Reserve (SBR) is the largest Marine Protected Area in the Caribbean Sea and the second largest in Latin America. Marine protected areas are under pressure from various stressors, one of the most important issues being pollution by marine litter, especially plastic. In this study our aim is to establish the distribution pattern and potential sources of solid waste in the different marine/coastal ecosystems of the islands of Providencia and Santa Catalina (SBR), as well as assess any interconnections between these ecosystems. At the same time, the distribution characteristics of marine litter in the different compartments facilitated a more dynamic understanding of the load of marine litter supplied by the islands, both locally and externally. We observed that certain ecosystems, principally back-beach vegetation and mangroves, act as crucial marine litter accumulation zones. Mangroves are important hotspots for plastic accumulation, with densities above eight items/m2 (minimum 8.38 and maximum 10.38 items/m2), while back-beach vegetation (minimum 1.43 and maximum 7.03 items/m2) also removes and stores a portion of the marine litter that arrives on the beaches. Tourist beaches for recreational activities have a low density of marine litter (minimum 0.01 and maximum 0.72 items/m2) due to regular clean-ups, whereas around non-tourist beaches, there is a greater variety of sources and accumulation (minimum 0.31 and maximum 5.41 items/m2). The low density of marine litter found on corals around the island (0-0.02 items/m2) indicates that there is still no significant marine litter stream to the coral reefs. Identifying contamination levels in terms of marine litter and possible flows between ecosystems is critical for adopting management and reduction strategies for such residues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Portz
- Civil and Environmental Department, Universidad de la Costa, Calle 58 # 55 - 66, Barranquilla, Colombia.
| | | | | | - Ángela Fontán-Bouzas
- Centro de Investigación Mariña (CIM), Universidade de Vigo, GEOMA, Vigo 36310, Spain; Physics Department & CESAM - Centre of Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Portugal.
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