The post Plastics in the North Atlantic garbage patch: A boat-microbe for hitchhikers and plastic degraders appeared first on One Earth - One Ocean e. V..

The post Widespread microplastic ingestion by fish assemblages in tropical estuaries subjected to anthropogenic pressures appeared first on One Earth - One Ocean e. V..

Kaitlin M. Ehl, Steve M. Raciti, Jason D. Williams, Recovery of salt
marsh vegetation after removal of storm-deposited anthropogenic debris:
Lessons from volunteer clean-up efforts in Long Beach, NY, Marine
Pollution Bulletin, Volume 117, Issues 1–2, 15 April 2017, Pages
436-447, ISSN 0025-326X, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.01.086.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X17301157)
Abstract: Abstract
Recovery of vegetation on a Long Island, NY salt marsh was investigated
after the removal of hurricane-deposited large wooden debris through
managed clean-ups involving volunteers. Two years after the removal of
the debris, vegetation cover and species composition were not
significantly different from controls. There was no significant
difference in vegetation recovery among fall and spring debris removal
treatments. Initial vegetation cover of the experimental and control
plots was 95.8% and 1.2%, respectively; after two growing seasons cover
was 78.7% and 71.2%, respectively. The effects of trampling by
volunteers during debris removal were monitored and after one growing
season, trails used during a single clean-up effort had a mean
vegetation cover of 67% whereas those that were used during multiple
clean-up efforts had only 30% cover. We use the results of this study to
offer guidance for organizing effective salt marsh clean-up efforts.
Keywords: Clean-ups; Distichlis; Marine debris; New York; Salt marsh
vegetation; Spartina

The post Recovery of salt marsh vegetation after removal of storm-deposited anthropogenic debris appeared first on One Earth - One Ocean e. V..

The post Ingestion of marine debris by the White-chinned Petrel (Procellaria aequinoctialis): Is it increasing over time off southern Brazil? appeared first on One Earth - One Ocean e. V..

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/wol1/doi/10.1002/2015JC010840/abstract

Brunner, K., T. Kukulka, G. Proskurowski, and K. L. Law (2015), Passive
buoyant tracers in the ocean surface boundary layer: 2. Observations and
simulations of microplastic marine debris, J. Geophys. Res. Oceans, 120,
7559–7573, doi:10.1002/2015JC010840.

Abstract
This paper is the second of a two-part series that investigates passive
buoyant tracers in the ocean surface boundary layer (OSBL). The first
part examines the influence of equilibrium wind-waves on vertical tracer
distributions, based on large eddy simulations (LESs) of the
wave-averaged Navier-Stokes equation. Motivated by observations of
buoyant microplastic marine debris (MPMD), this study applies the LES
model and the parametric one-dimensional column model from part one to
examine the vertical distributions of MPMD. MPMD is widely distributed
in vast regions of the subtropical gyres and has emerged as a major open
ocean pollutant whose distribution is subject to upper ocean turbulence.
The models capture shear-driven turbulence, Langmuir turbulence (LT),
and enhanced turbulent kinetic energy input due to breaking waves (BWs).
Model results are only consistent with observations of MPMD profiles and
the relationship between surface concentrations and wind speed if LT
effects are included. Neither BW nor shear-driven turbulence is capable
of deeply submerging MPMD, suggesting that the observed vertical MPMD
distributions are a characteristic signature of wave-driven LT. Thus,
this study demonstrates that LT substantially increases turbulent
transport in the OSBL, resulting in deep submergence of buoyant tracers.
The parametric model is applied to 11 years of observations in the North
Atlantic and North Pacific subtropical gyres to show that surface
measurements substantially underestimate MPMD concentrations by a factor
of 3–13.

Keywords:
marine debris; Langmuir turbulence; microplastic; ocean surface boundary
layer; breaking waves

The post Passive buoyant tracers in the ocean surface boundary layer: 2. Observations and simulations of microplastic marine debris, appeared first on One Earth - One Ocean e. V..

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/wol1/doi/10.1111/jfb.12838/abstract

Lima, A. R. A., Barletta, M., Costa, M. F., Ramos, J. A. A., Dantas, D.
V., Melo, P. A. M. C., Justino, A. K. S. and Ferreira, G. V. B. (2015),
Changes in the composition of ichthyoplankton assemblage and plastic
debris in mangrove creeks relative to moon phases. Journal of Fish
Biology. doi: 10.1111/jfb.12838

Abstract
Lunar influence on the distribution of fish larvae, zooplankton and
plastic debris in mangrove creeks of the Goiana Estuary, Brazil, was
studied over a lunar cycle. Cetengraulis edentulus, Anchovia clupeoides
and Rhinosardinia bahiensis were the most abundant fish larvae (56·6%),
independent of the moon phase. The full moon had a positive influence on
the abundance of Gobionellus oceanicus, Cynoscion acoupa and Atherinella
brasiliensis, and the new moon on Ulaema lefroyi. The full and new moons
also influenced the number of zoeae and megalopae of Ucides cordatus,
protozoeae and larvae of caridean shrimps, and the number of hard and
soft plastic debris, both <5 and >5 mm. Micro and macroplastics were
present in samples from all 12 creeks studied, at densities similar to
the third most abundant taxon, R. bahiensis. Cetengraulis edentulus and
R. bahiensis showed a strong positive correlation with the last quarter
moon, when there was less zooplankton available in the creeks and higher
abundance of microplastic threads. Anchovia clupeoides, Diapterus
rhombeus, U. lefroyi and hard microplastics were positively associated
with different moon phases, when calanoid copepods, Caridean larvae and
zoeae of U. cordatus were highly available in the creeks. Cynoscion
acoupa, G. oceanicus and A. brasiliensis were strongly associated with
the full moon, when protozoeae of caridean shrimps and megalopae of U.
cordatus were also highly available, as were hard and soft
macroplastics, paint chips (<5 mm) and soft microplastics. The results reinforce the role of mangrove creeks as nursery habitats. The moon phases influenced the distribution of fish larvae species, zooplankton and plastic debris by changing their compositions and abundances in the mangrove creeks of the Goiana Estuary when under the influence of different tidal current regimes. Keywords: fish larvae; lunar cycle; microplastics; north-east Brazil; tropical estuary

The post Changes in the composition of ichthyoplankton assemblage and plastic debris in mangrove creeks relative to moon phases. appeared first on One Earth - One Ocean e. V..

Abstract
Every year, millions of pots and traps are lost in crustacean fisheries
around the world. Derelict fishing gear has been found to produce
several harmful environmental and ecological effects, however
socioeconomic consequences have been investigated less frequently. We
analyze the economic effects of a substantial derelict pot removal
program in the largest estuary of the United States, the Chesapeake Bay.
By combining spatially resolved data on derelict pot removals with
commercial blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) harvests and effort, we show
that removing 34,408 derelict pots led to significant gains in gear
efficiency and an additional 13,504 MT in harvest valued at US $21.3
million—a 27% increase above that which would have occurred without
removals. Model results are extended to a global analysis where it is
seen that US $831 million in landings could be recovered annually by
removing less than 10% of the derelict pots and traps from major
crustacean fisheries. An unfortunate common pool externality, the
degradation of marine environments is detrimental not only to marine
organisms and biota, but also to those individuals and communities whose
livelihoods and culture depend on profitable and sustainable marine
resource use.

http://www.nature.com/articles/srep19671.pdf

http://www.nature.com/articles/srep19671#supplementary-information

PDF files
1.
Supplementary Information

http://www.nature.com/article-assets/npg/srep/2016/160121/srep19671/extref/srep19671-s1.pdf

The post The Dilemma of Derelict Gear appeared first on One Earth - One Ocean e. V..

The post Microplastic and macroplastic ingestion by a deep diving, oceanic cetacean appeared first on One Earth - One Ocean e. V..

Galway student studies impact of marine litter on wildlife

Wednesday, 4 March 2015 7:02 Written by: Jessica Thompson

Marine litter has become a major issue that cannot be ignored, according
to Galway PhD student Heidi Acampora who is researching the effects of
marine litter on the health of the ocean.

Based in GMIT, Ms Acampora carries out her research on sea birds. She
says European regulations such as the Marine Strategy Framework
Directive (MSFD) require countries to monitor marine litter through
animal life and this has proven to be successful in other countries.

In the North Sea, for example, a species of sea bird called Fulmarus
Glacialis (fulmars) are used for monitoring sea litter.

?My research aims to prove if this can be done in Ireland and if not
through fulmars, then which would be the alternative species suitable
for such monitoring,? said Miss Acampora.

?Sea birds are good indicators because they spend an enormous amount of
time at sea, but come to shore to breed, and that is when we can assess
them. Marine litter has become a major issue that cannot be ignored.?

The post Galway student studies impact of marine litter on wildlife appeared first on One Earth - One Ocean e. V..

The post Microplastic pollution in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean: Validated and opportunistic sampling appeared first on One Earth - One Ocean e. V..