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López-Ibáñez S, Quade J, Wlodarczyk A, Abad MJ, Beiras R. Marine degradation and ecotoxicity of conventional, recycled and compostable plastic bags. Environ Pollut 2024:124096. [PMID: 38703982 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Plastic bags are currently a major component of marine litter, causing aesthetical nuisance, and undesirable effects on marine fauna that ingest them or are entangled. Plastic litter also rises concern on the ecotoxicological effects due to the potential toxicity of the chemical additives leached in aquatic environments. Conventional plastic bags are made of polyethylene, either from first use or recycled, but but regulations restricting single-use plastics and limiting lightweight carrier bags (<50 μm thickness) have fostered the replacement of thin PE bags by compostable materials advertised as safer for the environment. In this study, we assess the degradation of commercially available plastic bags in marine conditions at two scales: aquariums (60 days) and outdoors flow-through mesocosm (120 days). Strength at break point and other tensile strength parameters were used as ecologically relevant endpoints to track mechanical degradation. Ecotoxicity has been assessed along the incubation period using the sensitive Paracentrotus lividus embryo test. Whereas PE bags did not substantially lose their mechanical properties within the 60 d aquarium exposures, compostable bags showed remarkable weight loss and tensile strength decay, some of them fragmenting in the aquarium after 3 to 4 weeks. Sediment pore water inoculum promoted a more rapid degradation of compostable bags, while nutrient addition pattern did not affect the degradation rate. Longer-term mesocosms exposures supported these findings, as well as pointed out the influence of the microbial processes on the degradation efficiency of compostable/bioplastic bags. Compostable materials, in contrast toPE, showed moderate toxicity on sea-urchin larvae, partially associated to degradation of these materials, but the environmental implications of these findings remain to be assessed. These methods proved to be useful to classify plastic materials, according to their degradability in marine conditions, in a remarkably shorter time than current standard tests and promote new materials safer for the marine fauna.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara López-Ibáñez
- ECIMAT, Centro de Investigación Mariña (CIM), Universidade de Vigo, 36331, Vigo, Galicia, Spain; Facultade de Ciencias do Mar, Universidade de Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Galicia, Spain.
| | - Jakob Quade
- ECIMAT, Centro de Investigación Mariña (CIM), Universidade de Vigo, 36331, Vigo, Galicia, Spain; RWTH Aachen University, Institute for Environmental Research, Worringer Weg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Angelika Wlodarczyk
- ECIMAT, Centro de Investigación Mariña (CIM), Universidade de Vigo, 36331, Vigo, Galicia, Spain; University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien, Höchstädtpl. 6, 1200 Vienna, Austria
| | - María-José Abad
- Universidade da Coruña, Campus Industrial de Ferrol, CITENI- Grupo de Polímeros, Campus de Esteiro, Ferrol, Galicia, Spain
| | - Ricardo Beiras
- ECIMAT, Centro de Investigación Mariña (CIM), Universidade de Vigo, 36331, Vigo, Galicia, Spain; Facultade de Ciencias do Mar, Universidade de Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Galicia, Spain
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2
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Incera M, Valbuena L, Falcón J, González EL, González-Porto M, Martín-García L, Martín-Sosa P, Gago J. Assessment of seabed litter at Concepción Seamount (Canary island) using a remotely operated towed vehicle. Environ Pollut 2024; 346:123654. [PMID: 38402933 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
The seafloor is recognised as a major sink for marine litter. However, studies conducted in this compartment addressing marine litter densities and its interactions with fauna are scarce, mainly due to sampling constraints. In this paper, we assess marine litter density, composition and interactions with marine communities and evaluate its relationship with fishing activities at the "Banco de la Concepción" seamount (Canary Islands, Spain). We took advantage of underwater video records taken with a Remotely Operated Towed Vehicle in the framework of the LIFE IP INTEMARES project. A total of 56 video transects were analysed covering about 9 km with 19 h of video recording. Transects were categorised as high, low, and null fishing effort based on the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) positional data registered between 2009 and 2017. Litter items were recorded in 70% of the transects with a mean density of 2122 (±2464) items km-2. There were significant differences in litter densities over the three levels of fishing pressure, with a density decrease from stations of high to stations of null fishing pressure. Regarding categories, plastic was by far the most abundant category found (83.1%), mainly consisting of fishing lines, both monofilaments and entangled longlines. The study of the interactions of marine litter with fauna showed that less than 20% of the items presented an interaction with benthic organisms either by causing or not a visible impact. The sponge Asconema setubalense accounted for more than half (57.4%) of all interactions, but only 5% of all A. setubalense specimens showed physical damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Incera
- Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo, Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO), CSIC, Subida a Radio Faro, 50, Vigo, 36390, Spain.
| | - L Valbuena
- Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo, Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO), CSIC, Subida a Radio Faro, 50, Vigo, 36390, Spain
| | - J Falcón
- Centro Oceanográfico de Canarias, Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO), CSIC, C/ Farola del Mar, 22, Dársena Pesquera, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 38180, Spain
| | - E L González
- Centro Oceanográfico de Canarias, Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO), CSIC, C/ Farola del Mar, 22, Dársena Pesquera, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 38180, Spain
| | - M González-Porto
- Centro Oceanográfico de Canarias, Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO), CSIC, C/ Farola del Mar, 22, Dársena Pesquera, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 38180, Spain
| | - L Martín-García
- Centro Oceanográfico de Canarias, Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO), CSIC, C/ Farola del Mar, 22, Dársena Pesquera, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 38180, Spain
| | - P Martín-Sosa
- Centro Oceanográfico de Canarias, Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO), CSIC, C/ Farola del Mar, 22, Dársena Pesquera, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 38180, Spain
| | - J Gago
- Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo, Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO), CSIC, Subida a Radio Faro, 50, Vigo, 36390, Spain
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Kumar V, Sharma N, Umesh M, Sharma R, Sharma M, Sharma D, Sharma M, Sondhi S, Thomas J, Kumar D, Kansal L, Jha NK. Commercialization potential of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) recycled nanomaterials: A review on validation parameters. Chemosphere 2024; 352:141453. [PMID: 38364916 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is a polymer which is considered as one of the major contaminants to the environment. The PET waste materials can be recycled to produce value-added products. PET can be converted to nanoparticles, nanofibers, nanocomposites, and nano coatings. To extend the applications of PET nanomaterials, understanding its commercialization potential is important. In addition, knowledge about the factors affecting recycling of PET based nanomaterials is essential. The presented review is focused on understanding the PET commercialization aspects, keeping in mind market analysis, growth drivers, regulatory affairs, safety considerations, issues associated with scale-up, manufacturing challenges, economic viability, and cost-effectiveness. In addition, the paper elaborates the challenges associated with the use of PET based nanomaterials. These challenges include PET contamination to water, soil, sediments, and human exposure to PET nanomaterials. Moreover, the paper discusses in detail about the factors affecting PET recycling, commercialization, and circular economy with specific emphasis on life cycle assessment (LCA) of PET recycled nanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinay Kumar
- Bioconversion and Tissue Engineering (BITE) Laboratory, Department of Community Medicine, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, Thandalam, 602105, India
| | - Neha Sharma
- Department of Biochemistry, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, Thandalam, 602105, India
| | - Mridul Umesh
- Department of Life Sciences, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, 560029, Karnataka, India.
| | - Roopali Sharma
- Department of Biotechnology, Chandigarh College of Technology, Chandigarh Group of Colleges, Landran, Mohali, 140307, Punjab, India
| | - Munish Sharma
- Department of Plant Sciences, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Shahpur Campus, 176206, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Deepak Sharma
- Department of Biotechnology, Chandigarh College of Technology, Chandigarh Group of Colleges, Landran, Mohali, 140307, Punjab, India
| | - Munish Sharma
- Department of Plant Sciences, Central University of Himachal Pradesh, Shahpur Campus, 176206, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Sonica Sondhi
- Haryana State Pollution Control Board, C-11, Panchkula, Haryana, India
| | - Jithin Thomas
- Department of Biotechnology, Mar Athanasius College, Kerala, India
| | - Deepak Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology-UIBT, Chandigarh University, Punjab, India
| | - Lavish Kansal
- School of Electronics and Electrical Engineering, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, India
| | - Niraj Kumar Jha
- Centre for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India; Centre for Research Impact and Outcomes, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab, India; Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied & Life Sciences (SALS), Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, 248007, India
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Magalhães EA, de Jesus HE, Pereira PHF, Gomes AS, Santos HFD. Beach sand plastispheres are hotspots for antibiotic resistance genes and potentially pathogenic bacteria even in beaches with good water quality. Environ Pollut 2024; 344:123237. [PMID: 38159625 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.123237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Massive amounts of microplastics are transported daily from the oceans and rivers onto beaches. The ocean plastisphere is a hotspot and a vector for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and potentially pathogenic bacteria. However, very little is known about the plastisphere in beach sand. Thus, to describe whether the microplastics from beach sand represent a risk to human health, we evaluated the bacteriome and abundance of ARGs on microplastic and sand sampled at the drift line and supralittoral zones of four beaches of poor and good water quality. The bacteriome was evaluated by sequencing of 16S rRNA gene, and the ARGs and bacterial abundances were evaluated by high-throughput real-time PCR. The results revealed that the microplastic harbored a bacterial community that is more abundant and distinct from that of beach sand, as well as a greater abundance of potential human and marine pathogens, especially the microplastics deposited closer to seawater. Microplastics also harbored a greater number and abundance of ARGs. All antibiotic classes evaluated were found in the microplastic samples, but not in the beach sand ones. Additionally, 16 ARGs were found on the microplastic alone, including genes related to multidrug resistance (blaKPC, blaCTX-M, tetM, mdtE and acrB_1), genes that have the potential to rapidly and horizontally spread (blaKPC, blaCTX-M, and tetM), and the gene that confers resistance to antibiotics that are typically regarded as the ultimate line of defense against severe multi-resistant bacterial infections (blaKPC). Lastly, microplastic harbored a similar bacterial community and ARGs regardless of beach water quality. Our findings suggest that the accumulation of microplastics in beach sand worldwide may constitute a potential threat to human health, even in beaches where the water quality is deemed satisfactory. This phenomenon may facilitate the emergence and dissemination of bacteria that are resistant to multiple drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Amorim Magalhães
- Department of Marine Biology, Fluminense Federal University - UFF. St. Professor Marcos Waldemar de Freitas Reis, Niterói, RJ, 24210-201, Brazil
| | - Hugo Emiliano de Jesus
- Department of Marine Biology, Fluminense Federal University - UFF. St. Professor Marcos Waldemar de Freitas Reis, Niterói, RJ, 24210-201, Brazil
| | - Pedro Henrique Freitas Pereira
- Department of Marine Biology, Fluminense Federal University - UFF. St. Professor Marcos Waldemar de Freitas Reis, Niterói, RJ, 24210-201, Brazil
| | - Abílio Soares Gomes
- Department of Marine Biology, Fluminense Federal University - UFF. St. Professor Marcos Waldemar de Freitas Reis, Niterói, RJ, 24210-201, Brazil
| | - Henrique Fragoso Dos Santos
- Department of Marine Biology, Fluminense Federal University - UFF. St. Professor Marcos Waldemar de Freitas Reis, Niterói, RJ, 24210-201, Brazil.
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5
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Barry J, Rindorf A, Gago J, Silburn B, McGoran A, Russell J. Top 10 marine litter items on the seafloor in European seas from 2012 to 2020. Sci Total Environ 2023; 902:165997. [PMID: 37536608 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
We studied the ten most frequently encountered litter items from the seafloor in European seas to advance actions and inform future mitigation measures to reduce marine litter and the associated social, economic and environmental impacts it has on European seas and beyond. Data were collected during trawl surveys from 2012 to 2020 as part of national and regional marine litter monitoring programmes in the Greater North Sea (5652 trawls), Celtic Seas (3505), Bay of Biscay (651), and Baltic Sea (3688). A Bayesian approach is used to quantify the variation in the item rankings. Overall, plastic items predominate in the top positions in each area. Synthetic rope, plastic sheets, monofilament fishing line and plastic bags occupy four of the top five positions for each of the Greater North Sea, Celtic Seas and the Bay of Biscay. Items from fishing and rope (representing mainly other maritime activities) are strongly represented in the top ten lists from three of our four areas, with synthetic rope, fishing nets, and tangled and untangled monofilament fishing line listed in the top seven positions for the Greater North Sea, Celtic Seas and the Bay of Biscay. The top ten items in the Baltic Sea are of a different profile to the other regions, but the most commonly caught items are still predominantly plastic, with plastic sheets, other plastic items and plastic bags occupying three of the top four positions. The findings in this study highlight the need to address sea-based sources to try and eliminate litter from fishing and maritime activities. Measures such as improved port reception facilities, marking of fishing gear, promoting reporting of the loss of fishing gear and increasing public awareness should be introduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon Barry
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, England, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
| | - Anna Rindorf
- National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark
| | - Jesus Gago
- Centro Nacional-IEO (CSIC) Vigo, Subida a Radio Faro 50, 36390 Vigo, Spain
| | - Briony Silburn
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, England, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Alex McGoran
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, England, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Josie Russell
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Lowestoft Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, England, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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Parga Martínez KB, da Silva VH, Andersen TJ, Posth NR, Strand J. Improved separation and quantification method for microplastic analysis in sediment: A fine-grained matrix from Arctic Greenland. Mar Pollut Bull 2023; 196:115574. [PMID: 37774460 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic analysis requires effective separation and purification methods, which greatly depend on the matrix and target particle size. Microplastics-sediment extraction usually involves intermediate steps, increasing processing time and particle loss, particularly for particles <100 μm. Here, we propose an improved separation and quantification method for fine-grained sediment that minimizes microplastic loss by reducing intermediate steps. First, the sample is treated with CH3COOH, KOH and NaClO, and only transferred for the density separation (ZnCl2). The extraction efficiency, visually evaluated on spiked samples, was higher than 90% for particles >100 μm and 83% for 63-75 μm particles. This indicates that a sequential extraction method reduces the risk of particle loss, particularly of the small size fraction. Comparatively, the extraction of ABS particles (20-100 μm) was low (30%) but the recovery, assessed via μFTIR, was higher (55%). Additionally, the proposed method can be adapted to other sediment types and environmental matrices.
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Affiliation(s)
- K B Parga Martínez
- Section of Geology - Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management (IGN), University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 10, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - V H da Silva
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - T J Andersen
- Section of Geography - Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management (IGN), University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 10, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - N R Posth
- Section of Geology - Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management (IGN), University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 10, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - J Strand
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
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7
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Abstract
Vaccines have been a hugely successful public health intervention, virtually eliminating many once common diseases of childhood. However, they have had less success in controlling endemic pathogens including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, herpesviruses and HIV. A focus on vaccine-mediated generation of neutralizing antibodies, which has been a successful approach for some pathogens, has been complicated by the emergence of escape variants, which has been seen for pathogens such as influenza viruses and SARS-CoV-2, as well as for HIV-1. We discuss how vaccination strategies aimed at generating a broad and robust T cell response may offer superior protection against pathogens, particularly those that have been observed to mutate rapidly. In particular, we consider here how a focus on generating resident memory T cells may be uniquely effective for providing immunity to pathogens that typically infect (or become reactivated in) the skin, respiratory mucosa or other barrier tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Rotrosen
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thomas S Kupper
- Department of Dermatology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Allison NL, Dale AC, Turrell WR, Narayanaswamy BE. Modelled and observed plastic pollution on remote Scottish beaches: The importance of local marine sources. Mar Pollut Bull 2023; 194:115341. [PMID: 37595333 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
Beach-cleans conducted on the west coast of Scotland investigated the distribution of land- and marine-sourced litter and compared these with a particle tracking model representing the presumed principal land-based source. Modelled particles dispersed widely, even reaching the remote northwest coast, with 'hotspots' and 'coldspots' on windward and leeward coasts respectively. In beach sampling, however, land-sourced litter represented only 19% of items by count and 8% by weight, while marine-sourced litter represented 46% by count and 62% by weight. The source of the remainder could not be identified. Windward coasts had an average count of 1859 litter items per 100 m, and weight of 14,862 g per 100 m. Leeward coasts had an average count of 32 litter items per 100 m and weight of 738 g per 100 m. Field observations and model predictions were consistent in many respects for land-sourced litter, however marine-sourced litter is dominant on many coastlines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole L Allison
- Scottish Association for Marine Science, Oban PA37 1QA, United Kingdom.
| | - Andrew C Dale
- Scottish Association for Marine Science, Oban PA37 1QA, United Kingdom
| | - William R Turrell
- Marine Scotland Science, 375 Victoria Road, Aberdeen AB11 9DB, United Kingdom
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Kammann U, Nogueira P, Wilhelm E, Int-Veen I, Aust MO, Wysujack K. Abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) as part of marine litter at the seafloor of the Baltic Sea - Characterization, quantification, polymer composition and possible impact. Mar Pollut Bull 2023; 194:115348. [PMID: 37544064 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
As an important part of marine litter at the seafloor "Abandoned, lost, discarded or otherwise lost fishing gear" (ALDFG) is gaining increasing attention in environmental assessments. Within this study marine litter at the seafloor of the Baltic Sea was quantified and characterized with special regard to fishery as source. Litter items (LI) were collected within fishery catches by bottom trawling during three cruises in 2020 and 2021. The resulting mean litter abundance was 9.2 LI/km2. Approximately 56 % of all LI were plastic, with PE as the most frequently identified polymer. ALDFG was present in considerable amounts with a mean value of 2.2 LI/km2 (22.2 %). However, the absolute counts of fishery nets were low (0.4 LI/km2; 4.2 %). Regarding weight, fishery nets are the dominant part of litter at the Baltic seafloor. Threshold values for marine litter at the seafloor are missing and might be developed using quantitative data on ALDFG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Kammann
- Thünen Institute of Fisheries Ecology, Herwigstraße 31, 27572 Bremerhaven, Germany.
| | - Pedro Nogueira
- Thünen Institute of Fisheries Ecology, Herwigstraße 31, 27572 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Esther Wilhelm
- Thünen Institute of Fisheries Ecology, Herwigstraße 31, 27572 Bremerhaven, Germany; Marine Ecology Department, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Ivo Int-Veen
- Thünen Institute of Fisheries Ecology, Herwigstraße 31, 27572 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Marc-Oliver Aust
- Thünen Institute of Fisheries Ecology, Herwigstraße 31, 27572 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Klaus Wysujack
- Thünen Institute of Fisheries Ecology, Herwigstraße 31, 27572 Bremerhaven, Germany
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Viejo J, Cózar A, Quintana R, Martí E, Markelain G, Cabrera-Castro R, Arroyo GM, Montero E, Morales-Caselles C. Artisanal trawl fisheries as a sentinel of marine litter pollution. Mar Pollut Bull 2023; 191:114882. [PMID: 37054479 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Systematic seafloor surveys are a highly desirable method of marine litter monitoring, but the high costs involved in seafloor sampling are not a trivial handicap. In the present work, we explore the opportunity provided by the artisanal trawling fisheries to obtain systematic data on marine litter in the Gulf of Cadiz between 2019 and 2021. We find that plastic was the most frequent material, with a prevalence of single-use and fishing-related items. Litter densities decreased with increasing distance to shore with a seasonal migration of the main litter hotspots. During pre-lockdown and post-lockdown stages derived from COVID-19, marine litter density decreased by 65 %, likely related to the decline in tourism and outdoor recreational activities. A continuous collaboration of 33 % of the local fleet would imply a removal of hundreds of thousands of items each year. The artisanal trawl fishing sector can play a unique role of monitoring marine litter on the seabed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josué Viejo
- Departamento de Biología, University of Cadiz, European University of the Seas (SEA-EU), Spain
| | - Andrés Cózar
- Departamento de Biología, University of Cadiz, European University of the Seas (SEA-EU), Spain; Instituto Universitario de Investigación Marina (INMAR), Spain
| | - Rocío Quintana
- Departamento de Biología, University of Cadiz, European University of the Seas (SEA-EU), Spain; Instituto Universitario de Investigación Marina (INMAR), Spain
| | - Elisa Martí
- Departamento de Biología, University of Cadiz, European University of the Seas (SEA-EU), Spain; Instituto Universitario de Investigación Marina (INMAR), Spain
| | - Gorka Markelain
- Departamento de Biología, University of Cadiz, European University of the Seas (SEA-EU), Spain
| | - Remedios Cabrera-Castro
- Departamento de Biología, University of Cadiz, European University of the Seas (SEA-EU), Spain
| | - Gonzalo M Arroyo
- Departamento de Biología, University of Cadiz, European University of the Seas (SEA-EU), Spain
| | | | - Carmen Morales-Caselles
- Departamento de Biología, University of Cadiz, European University of the Seas (SEA-EU), Spain; Instituto Universitario de Investigación Marina (INMAR), Spain.
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Ilechukwu I, Das RR, Reimer JD. Review of microplastics in museum specimens: An under-utilized tool to better understand the Plasticene. Mar Pollut Bull 2023; 191:114922. [PMID: 37068343 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
This study summarises the status of microplastic research in marine and freshwater specimens in natural museum collections around the world. Abundances, distributions, and types of microplastics in the archived collections are discussed. Museum collections can fill knowledge gaps on evolution of microplastic pollution before and during the Plasticene era. The specimens in these studies, ranging from plankton to vertebrates, were collected and archived between 1900 and 2019, and are dominated by specimens from marine ecosystems. All the specimens included in this review were preserved by freezing or in ethanol/formaldehyde except for specimens in one study that were preserved via cryomilling. Microfibers were the most common microplastics in the reviewed studies. We recommend more microplastic studies over a wider taxonomic range of species and across a longer span of years utilizing archival specimen collections around the world in order to establish reference points and develop temporal trends for microplastic pollution of the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ifenna Ilechukwu
- Molecular Invertebrate Systematics and Ecology (MISE) Laboratory, Graduate School of Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan; Department of Industrial Chemistry, Madonna University, Elele Campus, Rivers State, Nigeria.
| | - Rocktim Ramen Das
- Molecular Invertebrate Systematics and Ecology (MISE) Laboratory, Graduate School of Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
| | - James Davis Reimer
- Molecular Invertebrate Systematics and Ecology (MISE) Laboratory, Graduate School of Engineering and Science, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan; Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus, Nishihara, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
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12
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Lusher AL, Primpke S. Finding the Balance between Research and Monitoring: When Are Methods Good Enough to Understand Plastic Pollution? Environ Sci Technol 2023; 57:6033-6039. [PMID: 37070279 PMCID: PMC10116587 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c06018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution is an international environmental problem. Desire to act is shared from the public to policymakers, yet motivation and approaches are diverging. Public attention is directed to reducing plastic consumption, cleaning local environments, and engaging in citizen science initiatives. Policymakers and regulators are working on prevention and mitigation measures, while international, regional, and national bodies are defining monitoring recommendations. Research activities are focused on validating approaches to address goals and comparing methods. Policy and regulation are eager to act on plastic pollution, often asking questions researchers cannot answer with available methods. The purpose of monitoring will define which method is implemented. A clear and open dialogue between all actors is essential to facilitate communication on what is feasible with current methods, further research, and development needs. For example, some methods can already be used for international monitoring, yet limitations including target plastic types and sizes, sampling strategy, available infrastructure and analytical capacity, and harmonization of generated data remain. Time and resources to advance scientific understanding must be balanced against the need to answer pressing policy issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy L. Lusher
- Norwegian
Institute for Water Research, Økernveien 94, 0579 Oslo, Norway
- Department
of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Thormølens Gate 53, 5008 Bergen, Norway
| | - Sebastian Primpke
- Alfred-Wegener-Institute
Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Biologische Anstalt
Helgoland, Kurpromenade 201, 27498 Helgoland, Germany
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13
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Anastácio J, Candeias JM, Cabral H, Domingos I. Relationships between marine litter and type of coastal area, in Northeast Atlantic sandy beaches. Mar Environ Res 2023; 183:105827. [PMID: 36444794 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2022.105827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Marine litter represents a threat to the marine environment, being estimated that around eight million items are discarded daily in the ocean. Monitoring marine debris became a relevant topic of research as marine litter is one of the descriptors of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, for European Union's member states. Nevertheless, the patterns and processes governing the disposal of waste in coastal areas are still not clear. Our study relates characteristics of eleven coastal areas in Portugal (urbanization, slope, distance to an estuary, length, and type of substrate) to the type and abundance of marine litter found. A total of 7743 items were identified, with the main types of litter found being plastic (71.2%), paper (16.3%), and sanitary waste (9.1%). A clear spatial distribution pattern was observed, with more litter items recorded in the zone corresponding to the high tide line (2.3 items m-2). It was also verified that both beaches and seasons influenced the amount of litter found. Plastic, the dominant marine litter group, was abundant on the vast majority of beaches. It was possible to identify litter with land and sea origins. The litter with land origin came mainly from sanitary and sewage-related waste while the litter with marine origin came mainly from fisheries, including aquaculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Anastácio
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - José M Candeias
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Henrique Cabral
- INRAE, UR EABX, Centre Nouvelle Aquitaine Bordeaux, 50 Avenue de Verdun, 33612, Cestas, France
| | - Isabel Domingos
- Departamento de Biologia Animal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal; MARE Centro de Ciências do Mar e do Ambiente, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal
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14
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Cuvelier D, Ramalho SP, Purser A, Haeckel M. Impact of returning scientific cruises and prolonged on-site presence on litter abundance at the deep-sea nodule fields in the Peru Basin. Mar Pollut Bull 2022; 184:114162. [PMID: 36174254 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Marine litter can be found along coasts, continental shelves and slopes, down into the abyss. The absence of light, low temperatures and low energy regimes characterising the deeper habitats ensure the persistence of litter over time. Therefore, manmade items within the deep sea will likely accumulate to increasing quantities. Here we report the litter abundance encountered at the Pacific abyssal nodule fields from the Peru Basin at 4150 m depth. An average density of 2.67 litter items/ha was observed. Litter composed of plastic was the most abundant followed by metal and glass. At least 58 % of the items observed could be linked to the research expeditions conducted in the area and appeared to be mostly accidental disposals from ships. The data gathered was used to address temporal trends in litter abundance as well as the impact of human on-site presence and return cruises in the context of future deep-sea mining efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daphne Cuvelier
- Institute of Marine Sciences - Okeanos, University of the Azores, Horta, Portugal.
| | - Sofia P Ramalho
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Autun Purser
- Alfred Wegener Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven, Germany
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15
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Lebreton L, Royer SJ, Peytavin A, Strietman WJ, Smeding-Zuurendonk I, Egger M. Industrialised fishing nations largely contribute to floating plastic pollution in the North Pacific subtropical gyre. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12666. [PMID: 36050351 PMCID: PMC9436981 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16529-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The subtropical oceanic gyre in the North Pacific Ocean is currently covered with tens of thousands of tonnes of floating plastic debris, dispersed over millions of square kilometres. A large fraction is composed of fishing nets and ropes while the rest is mostly composed of hard plastic objects and fragments, sometimes carrying evidence on their origin. In 2019, an oceanographic mission conducted in the area, retrieved over 6000 hard plastic debris items > 5 cm. The debris was later sorted, counted, weighed, and analysed for evidence of origin and age. Our results, complemented with numerical model simulations and findings from a previous oceanographic mission, revealed that a majority of the floating material stems from fishing activities. While recent assessments for plastic inputs into the ocean point to coastal developing economies and rivers as major contributors into oceanic plastic pollution, here we show that most floating plastics in the North Pacific subtropical gyre can be traced back to five industrialised fishing nations, highlighting the important role the fishing industry plays in the solution to this global issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Lebreton
- The Ocean Cleanup, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. .,The Modelling House, Raglan, New Zealand.
| | | | | | | | | | - Matthias Egger
- The Ocean Cleanup, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Egger Research and Consulting, St Gallen, Switzerland
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16
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Owiredu SA, Kim KI, Kim BY. Seafloor litter generated by coastal and offshore fisheries operations in the South Sea of Korea. Mar Pollut Bull 2022; 182:113942. [PMID: 35870356 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Seafloor litter sources, distribution and density were assessed in a bottom trawl survey of the South Sea around Jeju Island by the Ara-ho training ship of Jeju National University. Samples were taken from 14 transects at a depth range of 60-120 m in areas with sandy and muddy substratum. Generally, mean densities varied from 26.9 items/km2 to 62.4 items/km2 and 104.8 kg/km2 to 370.9 kg/km2. Mean densities of total litter sampled was 46.3 items/km2 and 228.6 kg/km2. Derelict gears were the most common litter items (92 % of total litter) with mean densities of 44.3 items/km2 and 228.1 kg/km2. Gillnets and traps were the most derelict with densities reaching 4.9 items/km2 and 99.2 kg/km2 and 25.0 items/km2 and 89.1 kg/km2 respectively. The results of this study indicate that significant level of pollution in the South Sea are generated from commercial fishing activities and gillnets and traps being high risk derelict gears.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kwang-Il Kim
- College of Ocean Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Republic of Korea.
| | - Byung-Yeob Kim
- College of Ocean Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Republic of Korea
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17
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Stanton T, Chico G, Carr E, Cook S, Gomes RL, Heard E, Law A, Wilson HL, Johnson M. Planet Patrolling: A citizen science brand audit of anthropogenic litter in the context of national legislation and international policy. J Hazard Mater 2022; 436:129118. [PMID: 35576666 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic Litter (AL) is ubiquitous in distribution and diverse in type and impact. Citizen science AL clean-ups engage citizens with the environment and have the potential to generate data that can inform policy. Here we present a detailed citizen science survey of AL across freshwater, terrestrial, and coastal environments of the United Kingdom (UK), coordinated by the not-for-profit Planet Patrol throughout 2020. Key materials, industries, brands, and parent companies associated with AL are identified. Plastic dominated AL (63%), followed by metal (14%), and composite materials (12%). The majority of AL (56%) had been used as beverage containers and non-beverage packaging, and 38.8% of AL was branded. Of the branded AL, 26% was associated with The Coca-Cola Company, Anheuser-Busch InBev, and PepsiCo. These three companies were associated with significantly more branded litter than any other. We place these data in the context of upcoming UK legislation and the Environmental Social Governance (ESG) statements of the companies associated with the majority of the recorded litter. Knowledge gaps and recommendations for AL surveying are made, and the focus of corporate and government actions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Stanton
- Geography and Environment, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, United Kingdom; School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Brackenhurst Campus, Southwell NG25 0QF, United Kingdom.
| | - Guaduneth Chico
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Brackenhurst Campus, Southwell NG25 0QF, United Kingdom
| | | | - Sarah Cook
- School of Biosciences, Division of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Nottingham, C23 The Gateway Building, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough LE12 5RD, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel Louise Gomes
- Food, Water, Waste Research Group, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
| | | | - Antonia Law
- School of Geography, Geology, and the Environment, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, United Kingdom
| | - Hazel L Wilson
- School of Geography, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew Johnson
- School of Geography, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
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18
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Su L, Xiong X, Zhang Y, Wu C, Xu X, Sun C, Shi H. Global transportation of plastics and microplastics: A critical review of pathways and influences. Sci Total Environ 2022; 831:154884. [PMID: 35358528 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The rapid development of modern society has largely increased the usage of plastic. Concerns arise when vast amount of plastic waste has been generated and disposed. The accumulated evidences suggest that plastic waste in all the natural matrixes has become a global contaminant, principles such as geological and biogeochemical cycles for plastic pollution have been proposed. Before a full estimation of plastic mass flow, however, the pathways, directions and influences involved in plastic transportation are warranted to be addressed. We made this critical review based on the quantitative and narrative approaches in plastic and microplastic sources, sinks and transportation at global and historical scales. We also addressed the roles of anthropogenic influences in the global transportation of microplastic. The hydrological, meteorological, oceanic and even biological progresses naturally influence the plastic cycle and flow directions within the Earth's Four Spheres. Anthropogenic activities participated in all sections of plastic transportation, from sources to sinks. The contribution from anthropogenic activities remains unknown but several point sources including primary emissions and landfills have been confirmed. The primary outcomes point out that plastic pollution is highly complex issues in terms of natural and human-driven dynamics. We suggested that more efforts were needed in seeking the key sections in plastic transportation between environmental compartments at a global scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Su
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Xiong Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Yulan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Chenxi Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Xiangrong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
| | - Chengjun Sun
- Key Laboratory of Marine Eco-environmental Science and Technology, Marine Bioresource and Environment Research Center, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), Qingdao 266061, China
| | - Huahong Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China.
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19
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Halbach M, Vogel M, Tammen JK, Rüdel H, Koschorreck J, Scholz-Böttcher BM. 30 years trends of microplastic pollution: Mass-quantitative analysis of archived mussel samples from the North and Baltic Seas. Sci Total Environ 2022; 826:154179. [PMID: 35231510 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MP) are ubiquitous throughout the environment as a result of an ongoing, increasing, but also lavish use, of plastics over time and its inherent persistence. In contrast, there are almost no data that allow drawing conclusions about the evolution of plastic pollution in the environment over the past decades. This study investigates the MP load in blue mussels from the North and Baltic Sea archived by the German Environmental Specimen Bank in a time series covering almost 30 years. Samples were enzymatically and chemically oxidative digested for MP extraction and subsequent analyzed mass-quantitatively for nine common polymer clusters by pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Seven polymer clusters were detected in mussel tissue. Summed MP levels were at ppm levels (<20 μg/g mussel, dry weight). North Sea samples reflected a gradual increase from the 1980s/90s to the 2000s whereas those from Baltic Sea showed consistently higher, rather constant MP levels similar to the North Sea site later than 2000. Polymer composition of both sites stood out by cluster (C) of C-PVC and C-PET at both sites. Mussels from Baltic Sea site had larger C-PE and C-PP proportions. Opposed polymer- and site-specific trends indicated both regional and trans-regional MP sources for different polymer clusters. The MP composition of mussels showed strong similarities with adjacent sediment and water samples. The study introduces a relevant dataset addressing the temporal development of MP pollution. It emphasizes a high indicative potential of environmental MP composition/loads received by mussels but raises the necessity on adequate control materials accompany such kind of studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurits Halbach
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Miriam Vogel
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Juliane K Tammen
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Heinz Rüdel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (Fraunhofer IME), Schmallenberg, Germany
| | - Jan Koschorreck
- German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt), Berlin, Germany
| | - Barbara M Scholz-Böttcher
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany.
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20
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Kukkola AT, Senior G, Maes T, Silburn B, Bakir A, Kröger S, Mayes AG. A large-scale study of microplastic abundance in sediment cores from the UK continental shelf and slope. Mar Pollut Bull 2022; 178:113554. [PMID: 35390630 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
To inform risk assessments, reliable, time efficient and affordable quantification methods are required for creating a microplastic (MP) pollution baseline in the world's oceans. To facilitate this, MP abundance was investigated in sediments of three contrasting areas of the UK continental shelf: North West of Jones Bank, the Canyons in the Celtic Sea and Dogger Bank in the North Sea, utilising the Nile Red tagging method to assess its time efficiency and cost. Average MP abundance in the top 10 cm was 1050-2700 MP kg-1. MP abundance decreased with increasing sediment depth and increased with increasing water depth. The findings emphasise the extent of MP pollution and illustrate the value of Nile Red for large scale mapping at relatively low cost.
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Affiliation(s)
- A T Kukkola
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK; School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - G Senior
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - T Maes
- GRID-Arendal, Teaterplassen 3, 4836 Arendal, Norway
| | - B Silburn
- Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK
| | - A Bakir
- Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK
| | - S Kröger
- Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK
| | - A G Mayes
- School of Chemistry, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK.
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21
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Meyerjürgens J, Schöneich-Argent RI, Badewien TH. An exploratory analysis of seabed litter dynamics in the SE German Bight. Mar Pollut Bull 2022; 177:113515. [PMID: 35278906 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The accumulation of marine litter on coastal seabeds is influenced by various anthropogenic and environmental factors. To identify litter accumulation areas on the seafloor, it is necessary to understand the interaction of these parameters. This study analyses the seafloor litter occurrence in the southeastern North Sea, based on samples collected between October 2017 and March 2019. Litter data were combined with hydrographic, high-resolution in situ measurements and further geographic as well as anthropogenic factors for statistical analyses. Benthic litter showed a mean density of 2473 ± 3116 items km-2, and plastics consisting mainly of fisheries-related items represented the majority of identified objects. The statistical analyses suggest that salinity and temperature gradients, the meridional bottom currents, as well as the distance of the station to the coastline have a significant effect on benthic litter abundance. Direct combination of litter sampling and hydrographic measurements can improve the understanding of seabed litter dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Meyerjürgens
- Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), ICBM Wilhelmshaven, 26382 Wilhelmshaven, Germany.
| | - Rosanna Isabel Schöneich-Argent
- Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), ICBM Wilhelmshaven, 26382 Wilhelmshaven, Germany; Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland (BUND) e.V. - Friends of the Earth Germany, Landesverband Niedersachsen e.V., Postfach 1106, 30011 Hannover, Germany
| | - Thomas H Badewien
- Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), ICBM Wilhelmshaven, 26382 Wilhelmshaven, Germany
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22
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De Monte C, Locritani M, Merlino S, Ricci L, Pistolesi A, Bronco S. An In Situ Experiment to Evaluate the Aging and Degradation Phenomena Induced by Marine Environment Conditions on Commercial Plastic Granules. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:1111. [PMID: 35335441 PMCID: PMC8949163 DOI: 10.3390/polym14061111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In this paper, we present two novel experimental setups specifically designed to perform in situ long-term monitoring of the aging behaviour of commercial plastic granules (HDPE, PP, PLA and PBAT). The results of the first six months of a three year monitoring campaign are presented. The two experimental setups consist of: (i) special cages positioned close to the sea floor at a depth of about 10 m, and (ii) a box containing sand exposed to atmospheric agents to simulate the surface of a beach. Starting from March 2020, plastic granules were put into the cages and plunged in seawater and in a sandboxe. Chemical spectroscopic and thermal analyses (GPC, SEM, FTIR-ATR, DSC, TGA) were performed on the granules before and after exposure to natural elements for six months, in order to identify the physical-chemical modifications occurring in marine environmental conditions (both in seawater and in sandy coastal conditions). Changes in colour, surface morphology, chemical composition, thermal properties, molecular weight and polydispersity, showed the different influences of the environmental conditions. Photooxidative reaction pathways were prevalent in the sandbox. Abrasive phenomena acted specially in the sea environment. PLA and PBAT did not show significant degradation after six months, making the possible reduction of marine pollution due to this process negligible.
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23
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Dhaka V, Singh S, Anil AG, Sunil Kumar Naik TS, Garg S, Samuel J, Kumar M, Ramamurthy PC, Singh J. Occurrence, toxicity and remediation of polyethylene terephthalate plastics. A review. Environ Chem Lett 2022; 20:1777-1800. [PMID: 35039752 PMCID: PMC8755403 DOI: 10.1007/s10311-021-01384-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Polyethylene terephthalate is a common plastic in many products such as viscose rayon for clothing, and packaging material in the food and beverage industries. Polyethylene terephthalate has beneficial properties such as light weight, high tensile strength, transparency and gas barrier. Nonetheless, there is actually increasing concern about plastic pollution and toxicity. Here we review the properties, occurrence, toxicity, remediation and analysis of polyethylene terephthalate as macroplastic, mesoplastic, microplastic and nanoplastic. Polyethylene terephthalate occurs in groundwater, drinking water, soils and sediments. Plastic uptake by humans induces diseases such as reducing migration and proliferation of human mesenchymal stem cells of bone marrow and endothelial progenitor cells. Polyethylene terephthalate can be degraded by physical, chemical and biological methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaishali Dhaka
- Department of Microbiology, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab 144411 India
| | - Simranjeet Singh
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Water Research (ICWaR), Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012 India
| | - Amith G. Anil
- Department of Material Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012 India
| | - T. S. Sunil Kumar Naik
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Water Research (ICWaR), Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012 India
| | - Shashank Garg
- Department of Microbiology, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab 144411 India
| | - Jastin Samuel
- Waste Valorization Research Lab, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab 144411 India
| | - Manoj Kumar
- Department of Life Sciences, Central University Jharkhand, Brambe, Ranchi, Jharkhand 835205 India
| | - Praveen C. Ramamurthy
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Water Research (ICWaR), Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012 India
| | - Joginder Singh
- Department of Microbiology, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab 144411 India
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Int-Veen I, Nogueira P, Isigkeit J, Hanel R, Kammann U. Positively buoyant but sinking: Polymer identification and composition of marine litter at the seafloor of the North Sea and Baltic Sea. Mar Pollut Bull 2021; 172:112876. [PMID: 34450407 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Different litter types accumulate in all marine environments. Plastics are of special interest because of their high abundance and possible threats to marine organisms. Polymer type is crucial for their distribution and fate in marine environments. Seafloor litter abundance and composition in the Baltic and North Sea were analysed based on three sampling campaigns according to the protocol of ICES International Bottom Trawl Survey. Polymers were identified via attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. General litter abundances differed significantly between the Baltic and North Sea with 9.6 items/km2 and 70.7 items/km2, respectively. Plastic built the dominating litter group in both seas (62.2% and 91.3%, respectively). Polymer identification revealed clear dominance of polyethylene, polypropylene and polyamide. Most polymers were positively buoyant in seawater (89.5%), thereby excluding polymer density as the main driver of vertical plastic litter transportation. Plastics at the seafloor basically reflected the entirety of polymers entering marine environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivo Int-Veen
- Thünen Institute of Fisheries Ecology, Herwigstraße 31, 27572 Bremerhaven, Germany.
| | - Pedro Nogueira
- Thünen Institute of Fisheries Ecology, Herwigstraße 31, 27572 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Jason Isigkeit
- Thünen Institute of Fisheries Ecology, Herwigstraße 31, 27572 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Reinhold Hanel
- Thünen Institute of Fisheries Ecology, Herwigstraße 31, 27572 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Ulrike Kammann
- Thünen Institute of Fisheries Ecology, Herwigstraße 31, 27572 Bremerhaven, Germany
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25
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Hope JA, Coco G, Ladewig SM, Thrush SF. The distribution and ecological effects of microplastics in an estuarine ecosystem. Environ Pollut 2021; 288:117731. [PMID: 34273763 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Coastal sediments, where microplastics (MPs) accumulate, support benthic microalgae (BMA) that contribute to ecosystem functions such as primary production, nutrient recycling and sediment biostabilization. The potential interactions between MPs, BMA and associated properties and functions remain poorly understood. To examine these interactions, a survey of 22 intertidal sites was conducted. MP abundance, size and a suite of MP diversity indices (based on color and shape) were determined from surface sediments alongside biochemical and physical properties. MPs were detected at all sites and dominated by polypropylene (34%), polyester (18%) and polyethylene (11%). Fragment and fiber dominance (16-92% and 6-81% respectively) and color-shape category diversity varied significantly by site. Distance-based linear models demonstrated that estuary-wide, mean grain size and mud were the best predictors of MP abundance-diversity matrices, but variance explained was low (9%). Relationships were improved when the data was split into sandy and muddy habitats. In sandy habitats (<8% mud), physical properties of the bed (mean grain size, mud content and distance from the estuary mouth) were still selected as predictors of MP abundance-diversity (14% variance explained); but a number of bivariate relationships were detected with biochemical properties such as BMA associated pigments and organic matter. In muddy habitats (>8% mud), porewater ammonium was lower when fiber abundance and overall MP diversity were higher. The inclusion of porewater ammonium, organic matter content and pheophytins alongside physical properties explained a greater percentage of the variance in MP abundance-diversity for muddy habitats (21%). The results highlight the importance of examining plastic shapes and MP categories in addition to abundance and emphasize that functionally different habitats should be examined separately to increase our understanding of MP-biota-function relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie A Hope
- Institute of Marine Science, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand; Current Address: Energy & Environment Institute, University of Hull, Hull, HU6 7RX, UK.
| | - Giovanni Coco
- School of Environment, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Samantha M Ladewig
- Institute of Marine Science, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Simon F Thrush
- Institute of Marine Science, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand
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26
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HURMELINNA-LAUKKANEN PIA, PAUKKU EELIS, TASKILA SANNA. INNOVATION MANAGEMENT RESPONSES TO REGULATION—SUP-DIRECTIVE AND REPLACING PLASTIC. Int J Innov Mgt 2021. [DOI: 10.1142/s1363919621400041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Changes in regulation trigger changes in the innovation environments. They may block specific development trajectories, but they may simultaneously inspire and stimulate completely new openings. In this study, we look into regulation that aims to address environmental problems and facilitate creation and diffusion of sustainable technologies and processes as we examine the responses of innovators to the regulation on plastic use and production—specifically, the so-called SUP-directive. A multiple-case study comprising six companies suggests that companies manage (with) the regulation-induced innovation and needs for change by adopting three distinctive strategies: (1) proactive change orientation, (2) reactive opportunity capturing, or (3) reactive survival mode. Acknowledging that sustainability-oriented regulation may push companies with environmentally friendly innovation activities and solutions towards reactive survival mode highlights the need for managerial agility in adjusting the solutions and the ability to adopt parallel innovation strategies. Observing the strategies adopted by innovators also is informative when evaluating whether the regulation meets its profound goals and intended effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - EELIS PAUKKU
- The University of Lapland, Faculty of Law, Rovaniemi, Finland
| | - SANNA TASKILA
- Macon Ltd/University of Oulu, Chemical Process Engineering, PO Box 4300, 90014 Oulu, Finland
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27
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Harris PT, Tamelander J, Lyons Y, Neo ML, Maes T. Taking a mass-balance approach to assess marine plastics in the South China Sea. Mar Pollut Bull 2021; 171:112708. [PMID: 34273726 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The South China Sea (SCS) is recognised as a global hotspot for plastic pollution. We review available field studies and identify a significant lack of data needed to construct a simple mass balance box model for plastic pollution in the SCS. Fundamental information on plastic mass input, transfer and sink terms are simply not available. Also unknown are the rates of accumulation in different environments, the dispersal pathways of plastic particles of different density, the residence times of plastic in the water column and the rate at which macroplastics are transformed into microplastics in different environments. Filling these information gaps is critical for states to determine adequate response measures, including developing and tracking impact of policies to deal with the problem of plastic pollution in the SCS.
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Affiliation(s)
- P T Harris
- GRID-Arendal, P.O. Box 183, N-4802, Arendal, Norway.
| | - J Tamelander
- United Nations Environment Programme, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
| | - Y Lyons
- Centre for International Law, National University of Singapore, Bukit Timah Campus, Singapore
| | - M L Neo
- Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, Kent Ridge Campus, Singapore
| | - T Maes
- GRID-Arendal, P.O. Box 183, N-4802, Arendal, Norway
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Angiolillo M, Gérigny O, Valente T, Fabri MC, Tambute E, Rouanet E, Claro F, Tunesi L, Vissio A, Daniel B, Galgani F. Distribution of seafloor litter and its interaction with benthic organisms in deep waters of the Ligurian Sea (Northwestern Mediterranean). Sci Total Environ 2021; 788:147745. [PMID: 34134397 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The Mediterranean Sea is one of the most polluted marine basins and currently serves as a hotspot for marine litter. The seafloor represents the ultimate sink for most litter worldwide. Nevertheless, the knowledge about litter distribution and its interactions with benthic organisms in deep water is poorly understood. In 2018, we investigated spatial patterns of macro- and micro-litter distribution, and their effects on benthic communities in the Ligurian Sea. An oceanographic survey was carried out with a remotely operated vehicle and a multibeam echosounder on seven seamounts and canyons, at depths ranging from 350 to 2200 m. High litter accumulations were discovered at the mouth of the Monaco canyon, where estimated densities of up to 3.8 × 104 items km-2 were found at 2200 m depth. The highest abundance of urban litter items was found on the soft substrate, at the bottom of the deeper parts of the submarine canyons, which seem to act as conduits carrying litter from the shelf towards deeper areas. In contrast, fishing-related items were most abundant in the upper layer of the seamounts (300-600 m depths). Furthermore, more than 10% of the observed deep gorgonian colonies were entangled by lost longlines, indicating the detrimental effects of this fishing gear on benthic habitats. The discovery of new litter hotspots and the evaluation of how deep-sea species interact with litter contribute to increasing the knowledge about litter distribution and its effects on the deep ecosystem of the Mediterranean basin. All the observations recorded in this study showed substantial and irreversible changes in the deep and remote areas of marine environments, and these changes were found to be caused by humans. Our findings further stress the need for urgent and specific measures for the management of deep-sea pollution and the reduction of litter inputs in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Angiolillo
- Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), Via Vitaliano Brancati, 60, 00144 Rome, Italy.
| | - Olivia Gérigny
- Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la MER (Ifremer), Centre Méditerranée, Z.P. de Brégaillon, 83507, La Seyne-sur-Mer and Bastia, France
| | - Tommaso Valente
- Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), Via Vitaliano Brancati, 60, 00144 Rome, Italy; Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Environmental Biology, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Marie-Claire Fabri
- Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la MER (Ifremer), Centre Méditerranée, Z.P. de Brégaillon, 83507, La Seyne-sur-Mer and Bastia, France
| | - Eric Tambute
- Centre Scientifique de Monaco, Avenue Saint Martin, 98000 Monaco, Monaco
| | - Elodie Rouanet
- GIS Posidonie, Aix-Marseille University, OSU Pytheas, campus universitaire de Luminy, case 901, 13288 Marseille cedex 09, France
| | - Francoise Claro
- Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle-UMS PATRINAT, CP41, 57 rue Cuvier, 75231 Paris, France
| | - Leonardo Tunesi
- Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), Via Vitaliano Brancati, 60, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Anne Vissio
- Secrétaire exécutif RAMOGE, Av. de l'Annonciade, 98000 Monaco, Monaco
| | - Boris Daniel
- Agence française pour la biodiversité, rue de la République 26, Marseille, France
| | - François Galgani
- Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la MER (Ifremer), Centre Méditerranée, Z.P. de Brégaillon, 83507, La Seyne-sur-Mer and Bastia, France
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29
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Tziourrou P, Kordella S, Ardali Y, Papatheodorou G, Karapanagioti HK. Microplastics formation based on degradation characteristics of beached plastic bags. Mar Pollut Bull 2021; 169:112470. [PMID: 34049063 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Environmental pollution from plastic bags is a significant issue in the global environment. Plastic bags can be transferred by the wind and ocean currents everywhere in the three dimensions and be fragmented into small particles, termed film-shaped microplastics. The purpose of this study is to provide insights on the degradation of beached plastic bags. Monitoring and sampling were performed to determine plastic bag fragmentation and the possible mechanisms. On selected samples, various spectroscopic techniques and microscopy were used. Before the imposition of the "green" plastic bag fee in Greece, field monitoring suggested that the majority of the coastal plastic bags were fragmented whereas after the "green" fee, less fragmented bags were observed. Evidence of three degradation mechanisms were observed in this study. For oxodegradable plastic bags, degradation takes place for the starch additives and the polymer part stays in the environment as microplastic particles. For thin light density polyethylene plastic bags, mechanical fragmentation takes place in the environment creating microplastics before significant chemical alterations in functional groups were observed and once chemical alteration (oxidation) is observed, fragmentation (of HC or CC bonds) is also taking place. Thus, regulating thin plastic bags usage removes problems related to plastic bags but also to film-shaped microplastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Tziourrou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - S Kordella
- Laboratory of Marine Geology and Physical Oceanography, Department of Geology, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Y Ardali
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - G Papatheodorou
- Laboratory of Marine Geology and Physical Oceanography, Department of Geology, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
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30
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Teng G, Shan X, Jin X, Yang T. Marine litter on the seafloors of the Bohai Sea, Yellow Sea and northern East China Sea. Mar Pollut Bull 2021; 169:112516. [PMID: 34082357 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Seafloor litter was investigated in the Bohai Sea, Yellow Sea, and northern East China Sea (BYnECS) based on fisheries-independent bottom trawl surveys in 2019. The mean density of seafloor litter was 48.44 items∙km-2 (44.56 kg∙km-2) in the BYnECS, which was at an intermediate level compared with the values observed in other continental shelf areas worldwide. There were significant differences in the density of seafloor litter among different regions (P < 0.05), and the high-density litter accumulation areas in the northern Yellow Sea and Changjiang estuary and adjacent waters were close to the sediment accumulation areas. Plastics were predominant in the BYnECS and accounted for 72.80%/44.05% (number/weight) of the seafloor litter. Fishery-related litter was the main source of seafloor litter in the BYnECS. This study systematically reports the density, composition, sources and spatial distribution of seafloor litter in the BYnECS, thereby providing a scientific basis for the management of marine litter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangliang Teng
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fishery Resources and Ecological Environment, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, China; College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiujuan Shan
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fishery Resources and Ecological Environment, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, China; Function Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, China; National Field Observation and Research Center for Changdao Marine Ecosystem, Changdao, China
| | - Xianshi Jin
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fishery Resources and Ecological Environment, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, China; Function Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, China; National Field Observation and Research Center for Changdao Marine Ecosystem, Changdao, China.
| | - Tao Yang
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Development of Marine Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fishery Resources and Ecological Environment, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, China; Function Laboratory for Marine Fisheries Science and Food Production Processes, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao, China; National Field Observation and Research Center for Changdao Marine Ecosystem, Changdao, China
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31
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Post C, Brülisauer S, Waldschläger K, Hug W, Grüneis L, Heyden N, Schmor S, Förderer A, Reid R, Reid M, Bhartia R, Nguyen Q, Schüttrumpf H, Amann F. Application of Laser-Induced, Deep UV Raman Spectroscopy and Artificial Intelligence in Real-Time Environmental Monitoring-Solutions and First Results. Sensors (Basel) 2021; 21:s21113911. [PMID: 34198916 PMCID: PMC8201312 DOI: 10.3390/s21113911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Environmental monitoring of aquatic systems is the key requirement for sustainable environmental protection and future drinking water supply. The quality of water resources depends on the effectiveness of water treatment plants to reduce chemical pollutants, such as nitrates, pharmaceuticals, or microplastics. Changes in water quality can vary rapidly and must be monitored in real-time, enabling immediate action. In this study, we test the feasibility of a deep UV Raman spectrometer for the detection of nitrate/nitrite, selected pharmaceuticals and the most widespread microplastic polymers. Software utilizing artificial intelligence, such as a convolutional neural network, is trained for recognizing typical spectral patterns of individual pollutants, once processed by mathematical filters and machine learning algorithms. The results of an initial experimental study show that nitrates and nitrites can be detected and quantified. The detection of nitrates poses some challenges due to the noise-to-signal ratio and background and related noise due to water or other materials. Selected pharmaceutical substances could be detected via Raman spectroscopy, but not at concentrations in the µg/l or ng/l range. Microplastic particles are non-soluble substances and can be detected and identified, but the measurements suffer from the heterogeneous distribution of the microparticles in flow experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Post
- Department of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, RWTH Aachen University, Lochnerstr. 4-20, 52064 Aachen, Germany; (L.G.); (N.H.); (S.S.); (A.F.); (F.A.)
- Correspondence: (C.P.); (S.B.); Tel.: +49-241-809-6777 (C.P.); +41-442-153-505 (S.B.)
| | - Simon Brülisauer
- Artha, Wagistrasse 21, CH-8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
- Correspondence: (C.P.); (S.B.); Tel.: +49-241-809-6777 (C.P.); +41-442-153-505 (S.B.)
| | - Kryss Waldschläger
- Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management, RWTH Aachen University, Mies-van-der-Rohe-Str. 17, 52056 Aachen, Germany; (K.W.); (H.S.)
| | - William Hug
- Photon Systems Inc., 1512 Industrial Park St., Covina, CA 91722-3417, USA; (W.H.); (R.R.); (M.R.); (R.B.); (Q.N.)
| | - Luis Grüneis
- Department of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, RWTH Aachen University, Lochnerstr. 4-20, 52064 Aachen, Germany; (L.G.); (N.H.); (S.S.); (A.F.); (F.A.)
| | - Niklas Heyden
- Department of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, RWTH Aachen University, Lochnerstr. 4-20, 52064 Aachen, Germany; (L.G.); (N.H.); (S.S.); (A.F.); (F.A.)
| | - Sebastian Schmor
- Department of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, RWTH Aachen University, Lochnerstr. 4-20, 52064 Aachen, Germany; (L.G.); (N.H.); (S.S.); (A.F.); (F.A.)
| | - Aaron Förderer
- Department of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, RWTH Aachen University, Lochnerstr. 4-20, 52064 Aachen, Germany; (L.G.); (N.H.); (S.S.); (A.F.); (F.A.)
| | - Ray Reid
- Photon Systems Inc., 1512 Industrial Park St., Covina, CA 91722-3417, USA; (W.H.); (R.R.); (M.R.); (R.B.); (Q.N.)
| | - Michael Reid
- Photon Systems Inc., 1512 Industrial Park St., Covina, CA 91722-3417, USA; (W.H.); (R.R.); (M.R.); (R.B.); (Q.N.)
| | - Rohit Bhartia
- Photon Systems Inc., 1512 Industrial Park St., Covina, CA 91722-3417, USA; (W.H.); (R.R.); (M.R.); (R.B.); (Q.N.)
| | - Quoc Nguyen
- Photon Systems Inc., 1512 Industrial Park St., Covina, CA 91722-3417, USA; (W.H.); (R.R.); (M.R.); (R.B.); (Q.N.)
| | - Holger Schüttrumpf
- Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management, RWTH Aachen University, Mies-van-der-Rohe-Str. 17, 52056 Aachen, Germany; (K.W.); (H.S.)
| | - Florian Amann
- Department of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, RWTH Aachen University, Lochnerstr. 4-20, 52064 Aachen, Germany; (L.G.); (N.H.); (S.S.); (A.F.); (F.A.)
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Harris PT, Westerveld L, Nyberg B, Maes T, Macmillan-Lawler M, Appelquist LR. Exposure of coastal environments to river-sourced plastic pollution. Sci Total Environ 2021; 769:145222. [PMID: 33736229 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Marine litter is a global problem which poses an increasing threat to ecosystem services, human health, safety and sustainable livelihoods. In order to better plan plastic pollution monitoring and clean-up activities, and to develop policies and programmes to deter and mitigate plastic pollution, information is urgently needed on the different types of coastal ecosystem that are impacted by land-sourced plastic inputs, especially those located in proximity to river mouths where plastic waste is discharged into the ocean. We overlayed the most current existing information on the input of plastic to the sea from land-based sources with maps of coastal environments and ecosystems. We found an inverse relationship exists between coastal geomorphic type, plastic trapping efficiency and the mass of plastic received. River-dominated coasts comprise only 0.87% of the global coast and yet they receive 52% of plastic pollution delivered by fluvial systems. Tide-dominated coasts receive 29.9% of river-borne plastic pollution and this is also where mangrove and salt marsh habitats are most common. Wave-dominated coasts receive 11.6% of river-borne plastic pollution and this is where seagrass habitat is most common. Finally, rocky shores comprise 72.5% of the global coast, containing fjords and coral reefs, while only receiving 6.4% of river-borne plastic pollution. Mangroves are the most proximal to river-borne plastic pollution point sources of the four habitat types studied here; 54.0% of mangrove habitat is within 20 km of a river that discharges more than 1 t/yr of plastic pollution into the ocean. For seagrass, salt marsh and coral reefs the figures are 24.1%, 22.7% and 16.5%, respectively. The findings allow us to better understand the environmental fate of plastic pollution, to advance numerical models and to guide managers and decision-makers on the most appropriate responses and actions needed to monitor and reduce plastic pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- P T Harris
- GRID-Arendal, P.O. Box 183, N-4802 Arendal, Norway.
| | - L Westerveld
- GRID-Arendal, P.O. Box 183, N-4802 Arendal, Norway
| | - B Nyberg
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Bergen, P.O. Box 7803, 5020 Bergen, Norway
| | - T Maes
- GRID-Arendal, P.O. Box 183, N-4802 Arendal, Norway
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Brückner MZ, Schwarz C, Coco G, Baar A, Boechat Albernaz M, Kleinhans MG. Benthic species as mud patrol - modelled effects of bioturbators and biofilms on large-scale estuarine mud and morphology. Earth Surf Process Landf 2021; 46:1128-1144. [PMID: 34248240 PMCID: PMC8252055 DOI: 10.1002/esp.5080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Sediment-stabilizing and -destabilizing organisms, i.e. microphytobenthos (biofilms) and macrozoobenthos (bioturbators), affect the erodibility of muddy sediments, potentially altering large-scale estuarine morphology. Using a novel eco-morphodynamic model of an idealized estuary, we investigate eco-engineering effects of microphytobenthos and two macrozoobenthic bioturbators. Local mud erodibility is based on species pattern predicted through hydrodynamics, soil mud content, competition and grazing. Mud resuspension and export is enhanced under bioturbation and prevented under biostabilization through respective exposure and protection of the supra- and intertidal. Bioturbation decreases mud thickness and bed elevations, which increases net mud fluxes. Microphytobenthos reduces erosion, leading to a local mud increase of intertidal sediments. In multi-species scenarios, an effective mud-prone bioturbator strongly alters morphology, exceeding that of a more abundant sand-prone moderate species, showing that morphological change depends on species traits as opposed to abundance. Altering their habitat, the effective mud-prone bioturbator facilitates expansion of the sand-prone moderate bioturbator. Grazing and species competition favor species distributions of dominant bioturbators. Consequently, eco-engineering affects habitat conditions while species interactions determine species dominance. Our results show that eco-engineering species determine the mud content of the estuary, which suggests large effects on the morphology of estuaries with aggravating habitat degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muriel Z.M. Brückner
- Faculty of GeosciencesUtrecht UniversityPObox 801153508 TC UtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Christian Schwarz
- College of Earth, Ocean, and EnvironmentUniversity of DelawareLewesDEUSA
| | - Giovanni Coco
- School of Environment, Faculty of ScienceUniversity of AucklandAucklandNew Zealand
| | - Anne Baar
- Energy and Environment InstituteUniversity of HullHullUK
| | | | - Maarten G. Kleinhans
- Faculty of GeosciencesUtrecht UniversityPObox 801153508 TC UtrechtThe Netherlands
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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 Manag 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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Goto T, Shibata H, Murakami T. Effects of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami on the abundance and composition of anthropogenic marine debris on the continental slope off the Pacific coast of northeastern Japan. Mar Pollut Bull 2021; 164:112039. [PMID: 33515827 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The abundance and composition of anthropogenic marine debris from 2012 to 2014 was assessed according to three bottom trawl surveys conducted on the upper continental slope between 198 m and 501 m off the Pacific coast of northeastern Japan. The surveys quantitated marine debris as follows: 33.52-164.62 items km-2 (January to July 2012), 91.68-215.11 items km-2 (November 2012 to May 2013), and 160.13-178.19 items km-2 (November 2013 to May 2014). Plastic bags or household materials mainly dominated terrestrial sources of debris. Principal component analysis latitudinally divided the study area according to debris abundance caused by geographical and hydrodynamic features. The long-term effect of tsunami-associated debris on the seafloor environment was recognized, because terrestrial sources such as heavy household materials were most abundant throughout the study period, with the additional accumulation of fishing gear and plastic bags.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoaki Goto
- Iwate Fisheries Technology Center, Kamaishi, Iwate 026-0001, Japan; Sanriku Fisheries Research Center, Iwate University, Kamaishi, Iwate 026-0001, Japan.
| | - Haruka Shibata
- Kitasato University School of Marine Biosciences, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0373, Japan; Kajima Technical Research Institute, Chofu, Tokyo 182-0036, Japan
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Näkki P, Eronen-Rasimus E, Kaartokallio H, Kankaanpää H, Setälä O, Vahtera E, Lehtiniemi M. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon sorption and bacterial community composition of biodegradable and conventional plastics incubated in coastal sediments. Sci Total Environ 2021; 755:143088. [PMID: 33127152 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Resistant to degradation, plastic litter poses a long-term threat to marine ecosystems. Biodegradable materials have been developed to replace conventional plastics, but little is known of their impacts and degradation in marine environments. A 14-week laboratory experiment was conducted to investigate the sorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to conventional (polystyrene PS and polyamide PA) and bio-based, biodegradable plastic films (cellulose acetate CA and poly-L-lactic acid PLLA), and to examine the composition of bacterial communities colonizing these materials. Mesoplastics (1 cm2) of these materials were incubated in sediment and seawater collected from two sites in the Gulf of Finland, on the coast of the highly urbanized area of Helsinki, Finland. PS sorbed more PAHs than did the other plastic types at both sites, and the concentration of PAHs was consistently and considerably smaller in plastics than in the sediment. In general, the plastic bacterial biofilms resembled those in the surrounding media (water and/or sediment). However, in the sediment incubations, the community composition on CA diverged from that of the other three plastic types and was enriched with Bacteroidia and potentially cellulolytic Spirochaetia at both sites. The results indicate that certain biodegradable plastics, such as CA, may harbour potential bioplastic-degrading communities and that PAH sorption capacity varies between polymer types. Since biodegradable plastics are presented as replacements for conventional plastics in applications with risk of ending up in the marine environment, the results highlight the need to carefully examine the environmental behaviour of each biodegradable plastic type before they are extensively introduced to the market.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinja Näkki
- Tvärminne Zoological Station, University of Helsinki, J.A. Palménin tie 260, FI-10900 Hanko, Finland; Marine Research Centre, Finnish Environment Institute, Latokartanonkaari 11, FI-00790 Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Eeva Eronen-Rasimus
- Marine Research Centre, Finnish Environment Institute, Latokartanonkaari 11, FI-00790 Helsinki, Finland; Department of Microbiology, P.O. Box 56, FI-00014, University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hermanni Kaartokallio
- Marine Research Centre, Finnish Environment Institute, Latokartanonkaari 11, FI-00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Harri Kankaanpää
- Marine Research Centre, Finnish Environment Institute, Latokartanonkaari 11, FI-00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Outi Setälä
- Marine Research Centre, Finnish Environment Institute, Latokartanonkaari 11, FI-00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Emil Vahtera
- Urban Environment Division, City of Helsinki, P.O. Box 1, FI-00099 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Maiju Lehtiniemi
- Marine Research Centre, Finnish Environment Institute, Latokartanonkaari 11, FI-00790 Helsinki, Finland
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Selvam K, Xavier KAM, Shivakrishna A, Bhutia TP, Kamat S, Shenoy L. Abundance, composition and sources of marine debris trawled-up in the fishing grounds along the north-east Arabian coast. Sci Total Environ 2021; 751:141771. [PMID: 32898746 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Revised: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The pollution due to marine debris is a serious environmental threat in many parts of the world. The abundance of marine debris, composition and its distribution over the seafloor along north-east coast of Arabian coast was studied through trawl based swept method. Experimental fishing was conducted fortnightly using shrimp bottom trawl and collected debris was categorized as per standard protocols. A total of 1077 pieces of debris (11.7 kg dry weight) were collected from 25 hauls. The average number and weight of debris were 943 items/km2 and 10.2 kg/km2 respectively. The estimated total marine debris along this coast was 379 t (dry weight). Plastic-based debris contributed maximum (87.1%) to the total debris collected in numbers and among this, plastic bags and food wrappers were dominant. Debris produced by shoreline/recreational activities comprised the major source of debris (88.6%) along this coast. This study provides the evidence that the effective use of available fishing trawlers and co-management practices ("Make fishers friend") can help to remove the seabed debris. The base data generated through this study would facilitate region-based effective control and management of plastic debris pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kesavan Selvam
- Fisheries Resource Harvest and Post-harvest Management Division, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai 400061, India
| | - K A Martin Xavier
- Fisheries Resource Harvest and Post-harvest Management Division, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai 400061, India.
| | - Avadootha Shivakrishna
- Fisheries Resource Harvest and Post-harvest Management Division, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai 400061, India
| | - Tenji Pem Bhutia
- Fisheries Resource Harvest and Post-harvest Management Division, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai 400061, India
| | - Satish Kamat
- Fisheries Resource Harvest and Post-harvest Management Division, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai 400061, India
| | - Latha Shenoy
- Fisheries Resource Harvest and Post-harvest Management Division, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai 400061, India
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Galgani L, Loiselle SA. Plastic pollution impacts on marine carbon biogeochemistry. Environ Pollut 2021; 268:115598. [PMID: 33158618 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
One of the major challenges in understanding the dynamics of the ocean's health and functioning is the potential impact of the increasing presence of plastic. Besides the verified and macroscopic effects on marine wildlife and habitats, micro and macroplastics offer potential sites for microbial activity and chemical leaching. Most marine plastic is found initially in the upper meters of the water column, where fundamental biogeochemical processes drive marine productivity and food web dynamics. However, recent findings show a continuum of potential effects of these new marine components on carbon, nutrients and microbial processes. In the present analysis, we develop a common ground between these studies and we identify knowledge gaps where new research efforts should be focused, to better determine potential feedbacks of plastics on the carbon biogeochemistry of a changing ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Galgani
- Center for Colloids and Surface Science, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Italy.
| | - Steven A Loiselle
- Center for Colloids and Surface Science, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Italy
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Abstract
While the ocean has suffered many losses, there is increasing evidence that important progress is being made in marine conservation. Examples include striking recoveries of once-threatened species, increasing rates of protection of marine habitats, more sustainably managed fisheries and aquaculture, reductions in some forms of pollution, accelerating restoration of degraded habitats, and use of the ocean and its habitats to sequester carbon and provide clean energy. Many of these achievements have multiple benefits, including improved human well-being. Moreover, better understanding of how to implement conservation strategies effectively, new technologies and databases, increased integration of the natural and social sciences, and use of indigenous knowledge promise continued progress. Enormous challenges remain, and there is no single solution; successful efforts typically are neither quick nor cheap and require trust and collaboration. Nevertheless, a greater focus on solutions and successes will help them to become the norm rather than the exception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nancy Knowlton
- National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560, USA;
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40
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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). Mar Pollut Bull 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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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41
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Sharifinia M, Bahmanbeigloo ZA, Keshavarzifard M, Khanjani MH, Lyons BP. Microplastic pollution as a grand challenge in marine research: A closer look at their adverse impacts on the immune and reproductive systems. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2020; 204:111109. [PMID: 32798751 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) pollution of the marine environment is now a growing global concern posing a threat to a variety of species through the ingestion and transfer within food webs. This is considered a potential toxicological threat to marine species due to the chemical additives used to make many plastic products, or the persistent organic pollutants that may accumulate on them while residing in the environment. While the presence of MPs in the marine environment is widely documented, there are no other review articles providing a summary of published effect studies of MPs on the immune and reproductive systems of marine species. This manuscript reviews reproductive and immune-system changes in response to MPs in 7 and 9 species, respectively. Some species such as Mytilus galloprovincialis and oyster Crassostrea gigas were investigated in multiple papers. Most studies have been conducted on invertebrates, and only 3 studies have been performed on vertebrates, with exposure times ranging between 30 min and 60 days. A review of the literature revealed that the most common MPs types studied in relation to adverse impacts on immune system and reproductive success in marine species were polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene (PE). The immune system's responses to MPs exposure varied depending on the species, with altered organismal defense mechanisms and neutrophil function observed in fish and changes in lysosomal membrane stability and apoptotic-like nuclear alterations in phagocytes reported in invertebrate species. Reproductive responses to MPs exposure, varied depending on species, but included significant reduction in gamete and oocyte quality, fecundity, sperm swimming speed, and quality of offspring. The lack of published data means that developing a clear understanding of the impact across taxonomic groups with different feeding and behavioral traits is often difficult. Further work is required to better understand the risk MPs pose to the immune and reproductive systems of marine species in order to fully evaluate the impact these ubiquitous pollutants are having on marine ecosystems and the associated goods and services they provide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moslem Sharifinia
- Shrimp Research Center, Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Bushehr, Iran.
| | | | - Mehrzad Keshavarzifard
- Shrimp Research Center, Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Bushehr, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Hossein Khanjani
- Department of Fisheries Science and Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Jiroft, Jiroft, Kerman, Iran
| | - Brett P Lyons
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Weymouth Laboratory, Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8UB, UK
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van Hoytema N, Bullimore RD, Al Adhoobi AS, Al-Khanbashi MH, Whomersley P, Le Quesne WJF. Fishing gear dominates marine litter in the Wetlands Reserve in Al Wusta Governorate, Oman. Mar Pollut Bull 2020; 159:111503. [PMID: 32763560 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The Wetlands Reserve in Al Wusta Governorate on the Arabian Sea is important for internationally migrating birds and local wildlife, but data on marine litter in the reserve, and wider region, are rare. Seven beaches around the reserve were surveyed for litter in February 2020. Abundance and weight of litter were categorised along 100 m transects. Abundance ranged from 0.1 to 1.4 items m-2 and weight ranged from 3.2 to 170.4 g m-2. Plastic was the dominant material in abundance (84.4-97.7%) and weight (71.3-99.3%). Top categories in abundance and weight were fisheries-related, water bottles and caps, and food packaging. Fisheries-related litter comprised 19.6-36.7% of all in abundance, but 41.4-94.4% in weight. The high proportion of fisheries-related litter (by weight) indicates that providing practical disposal facilities for unwanted and broken fishing gear would substantially reduce the impact of litter on this vital wetlands reserve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanne van Hoytema
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture (Cefas), Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, United Kingdom.
| | - Ross D Bullimore
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture (Cefas), Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, United Kingdom
| | - Aziza S Al Adhoobi
- Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs, P.O. Box: 323, 100 Muscat, Oman
| | | | - Paul Whomersley
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture (Cefas), Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, United Kingdom
| | - Will J F Le Quesne
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture (Cefas), Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, United Kingdom
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Lau WWY, Shiran Y, Bailey RM, Cook E, Stuchtey MR, Koskella J, Velis CA, Godfrey L, Boucher J, Murphy MB, Thompson RC, Jankowska E, Castillo Castillo A, Pilditch TD, Dixon B, Koerselman L, Kosior E, Favoino E, Gutberlet J, Baulch S, Atreya ME, Fischer D, He KK, Petit MM, Sumaila UR, Neil E, Bernhofen MV, Lawrence K, Palardy JE. Evaluating scenarios toward zero plastic pollution. Science 2020; 369:1455-1461. [DOI: 10.1126/science.aba9475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 355] [Impact Index Per Article: 88.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Plastic pollution is a pervasive and growing problem. To estimate the effectiveness of interventions to reduce plastic pollution, we modeled stocks and flows of municipal solid waste and four sources of microplastics through the global plastic system for five scenarios between 2016 and 2040. Implementing all feasible interventions reduced plastic pollution by 40% from 2016 rates and 78% relative to “business as usual” in 2040. Even with immediate and concerted action, 710 million metric tons of plastic waste cumulatively entered aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. To avoid a massive build-up of plastic in the environment, coordinated global action is urgently needed to reduce plastic consumption; increase rates of reuse, waste collection, and recycling; expand safe disposal systems; and accelerate innovation in the plastic value chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Winnie W. Y. Lau
- The Pew Charitable Trusts, 901 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA
| | | | - Richard M. Bailey
- School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QY, UK
| | - Ed Cook
- School of Civil Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Martin R. Stuchtey
- SYSTEMIQ, 69 Carter Lane, London EC4V 5EQ, UK
- Institute of Geography, University of Innsbruck, Innrain 52, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Costas A. Velis
- School of Civil Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Linda Godfrey
- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| | - Julien Boucher
- EA—Shaping Environmental Action, Chemin des Vignes d’Argent 7, CH 1004 Lausanne, Switzerland
- University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland–HES-SO, HEIG-VD, Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland
| | | | - Richard C. Thompson
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
| | | | - Arturo Castillo Castillo
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AX, UK
| | - Toby D. Pilditch
- School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QY, UK
| | - Ben Dixon
- SYSTEMIQ, 69 Carter Lane, London EC4V 5EQ, UK
| | | | | | - Enzo Favoino
- Scuola Agraria del Parco di Monza, Viale Cavriga 3 20900 Monza (MB), Italy
| | - Jutta Gutberlet
- Department of Geography, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Sarah Baulch
- The Pew Charitable Trusts, 901 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA
| | | | | | - Kevin K. He
- The Pew Charitable Trusts, 901 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA
| | | | - U. Rashid Sumaila
- Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries and School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, University of British Colombia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Emily Neil
- School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QY, UK
| | | | - Keith Lawrence
- The Pew Charitable Trusts, 901 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA
| | - James E. Palardy
- The Pew Charitable Trusts, 901 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20004, USA
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44
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Walker T, Gramlich D, Dumont-Bergeron A. The Case for a Plastic Tax: A Review of Its Benefits and Disadvantages Within a Circular Economy. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020. [DOI: 10.1108/s2514-175920200000004010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
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45
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Courtene-Jones W, Quinn B, Ewins C, Gary SF, Narayanaswamy BE. Microplastic accumulation in deep-sea sediments from the Rockall Trough. Mar Pollut Bull 2020; 154:111092. [PMID: 32319921 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2019] [Revised: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics are widely dispersed through the marine environment. Few studies have assessed the long-term or historic prevalence of microplastics, yet acquiring such data can inform their distribution, transport and the environmental risks posed. To quantify the distribution and polymer types temporally, sediment cores were collected from >2000 m water depth in the Rockall Trough, North Atlantic Ocean. As hypothesized, a significant negative trend was observed in the frequency of microplastics with increasing sediment age, however there was an increase in polymer diversity. Microplastics were pervasive throughout the sediment analysed (10 cm depth), yet lead-210 (210Pb) activities were confined to the upper 4 cm, indicating this layer to be ~150 years old and thus the presence of microplastics far exceed the production of modern plastic. A number of mechanisms, including sediment reworking, could redistribute microplastics vertically. Additionally, microplastics abundance was significantly correlated with sediment porosity, suggesting interstitial transport via pore waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Winnie Courtene-Jones
- Scottish Association for Marine Science, Scottish Marine Institute, Oban, Argyll, PA37 1QA, Scotland, United Kingdom.
| | - Brian Quinn
- Institute of Biomedical and Environmental Health Research (IBEHR), School of Science & Sport, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, PA1 2BE, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Ciaran Ewins
- Institute of Biomedical and Environmental Health Research (IBEHR), School of Science & Sport, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, PA1 2BE, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Stefan F Gary
- Scottish Association for Marine Science, Scottish Marine Institute, Oban, Argyll, PA37 1QA, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Bhavani E Narayanaswamy
- Scottish Association for Marine Science, Scottish Marine Institute, Oban, Argyll, PA37 1QA, Scotland, United Kingdom
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46
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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). Mar Pollut Bull 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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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47
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Green BC, Johnson CLE. Characterisation of microplastic contamination in sediment of England's inshore waters. Mar Pollut Bull 2020; 151:110788. [PMID: 32056586 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.110788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Plastic litter is an increasingly significant problem in the marine environment. Our study looks at a cost-effective method to quantify larger fractions of microplastics in marine sediments as an opportunistic addition to standard benthic infauna sampling. A subsample of microplastics (>1 mm) were enumerated and categorised from sediment samples collected as part of standard benthic habitat monitoring in twenty-two Marine Protected Areas across English inshore waters. Microplastic particles were found in 61.2% of the samples collected, with mean density per study site ranging from 0.2 in Dover to Deal MCZ to 42.7 in The Mersey Estuary Special Protection Area microplastic particles per 0.1 m2. High densities of plastic were found at remote sites, as well as those closer to urban or industrialised areas. Spatial protection measures such as MPAs are not themselves a suitable tool to tackle marine plastic pollution which should be addressed upstream at source.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin C Green
- Estuarine and Coastal Monitoring and Assessment Service, Environment Agency, Kingfisher House, Goldhay Way, Orton Goldhay, Peterborough PE2 5ZR, United Kingdom
| | - Charlotte L E Johnson
- Natural England, Suite D, Unex House, Bourges Boulevard, Peterborough PE1 1NG, United Kingdom.
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48
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Lyons BP, Cowie WJ, Maes T, Le Quesne WJF. Marine plastic litter in the ROPME Sea Area: Current knowledge and recommendations. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2020; 187:109839. [PMID: 31670240 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.109839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Revised: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The impact of marine litter, particularly plastic waste, is widely acknowledged as a growing global concern. Marine litter is an understudied issue in the Regional Organisation for Protection of the Marine Environment (ROPME) Sea Area where rapid economic growth has already placed considerable stress on infrastructure and coastal ecosystems. This paper outlines some of the drivers for waste generation in region and reviews the available literature to summarise the current state of knowledge on the environmental fate, behaviour and impact of marine litter within the ROPME Sea Area. While data is limited, those studies conducted demonstrate marine litter is posing a clear and growing threat to the environmental and socioeconomic prosperity of the ROPME Sea Area. The development of regional and national marine litter reduction plans are clearly a priority to focus and coordinate activity across multiple stakeholders. Discussion of the potential environmental impacts arising as a result of marine litter are presented together with a roadmap for establishing and implementing a ROPME Sea Area Marine Litter and Single-Use Plastic Action Plan.
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Affiliation(s)
- B P Lyons
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture (Cefas), Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8UB, United Kingdom.
| | - W J Cowie
- Environment Agency, Abu Dhabi, Al Mamoura Building, Murour Road, PO Box:45553, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - T Maes
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture (Cefas), Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 0HT, United Kingdom
| | - W J F Le Quesne
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture (Cefas), Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 0HT, United Kingdom
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49
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Goodman AJ, Walker TR, Brown CJ, Wilson BR, Gazzola V, Sameoto JA. Benthic marine debris in the Bay of Fundy, eastern Canada: Spatial distribution and categorization using seafloor video footage. Mar Pollut Bull 2020; 150:110722. [PMID: 31733907 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.110722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Revised: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Marine debris, particularly plastic and abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear, is ubiquitous in marine environments. This study provides the first quantitative and qualitative assessment of benthic debris using seafloor video collected from a drop camera system in the Bay of Fundy, Eastern Canada. An estimated 137 debris items km-2 of seafloor were counted, comprising of plastic (51%), fishing gear (including plastic categories; 28%) and other (cable, metal, tires; 21%). Debris was widespread, but mainly located nearshore (within 9 km) and on the periphery of areas with high fishing intensity. This baseline benthic marine debris characterization and estimate of abundance provides valuable information for government (municipal, provincial and federal) and for other stakeholders to implement management strategies to reduce plastic and other categories of benthic marine pollution at source. Strategies may include limiting plastic use and reducing illegal dumping through improved education among fishers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexa J Goodman
- Marine Affairs Program, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada; School for Resource and Environmental Studies, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada; Applied Research, Ivany Campus, Nova Scotia Community College, Dartmouth, Canada.
| | - Tony R Walker
- School for Resource and Environmental Studies, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
| | - Craig J Brown
- Department of Oceanography, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada; Applied Research, Ivany Campus, Nova Scotia Community College, Dartmouth, Canada
| | - Brittany R Wilson
- Applied Research, Ivany Campus, Nova Scotia Community College, Dartmouth, Canada
| | - Vicki Gazzola
- Applied Research, Ivany Campus, Nova Scotia Community College, Dartmouth, Canada
| | - Jessica A Sameoto
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, Canada
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50
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Turrell WR. Estimating a regional budget of marine plastic litter in order to advise on marine management measures. Mar Pollut Bull 2020; 150:110725. [PMID: 31753560 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.110725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Using simple models, coupled with parameters extracted from published studies, the annual inputs of macro and micro plastics to the Scottish Atlantic Coast and the Scottish North Sea Coast regions are estimated. Two estimates of land-based sources are used, scaled by catchment area population size. The oceanic supply of floating plastic is estimated for wind-driven and general circulation sources. Minimum, typical and maximum values are computed to examine the magnitude of uncertainties. Direct inputs from fishing and the flux of macroplastic onto the seabed are also included. The modelled estimates reveal the importance of local litter sources to Scottish coastal regions, and hence local management actions can be effective. Estimates provide a scale against which removal efforts may be compared, and provide input data for future more complex modelling. Recommendations for research to improve the preliminary estimates are provided. Methods presented here may be useful elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
- W R Turrell
- Marine Scotland Science, Aberdeen, Scotland.
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