plastic pollution Archives - One Earth - One Ocean e. V.

Assessment of marine debris on the coastal wetland of Martil in the North-East of Morocco

guenther — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 19:06:41 +0000

Adel Alshawafi, Mohamed Analla, Ebrahim Alwashali, Mustapha Aksissou,
Assessment of marine debris on the coastal wetland of Martil in the
North-East of Morocco, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 117, Issues
1–2, 15 April 2017, Pages 302-310, ISSN 0025-326X,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.01.079.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X17301078)
Abstract: Abstract
Plastic waste at the coastal wetland in Martil beach in the North-East
of Morocco is one of the problems that have appeared recently. This
study aims to characterize the marine debris in the coast of Martil
during the year 2015. The sampling is seasonally by type and size. The
result shows, for the macro debris, the abundance of plastic (57%),
lumber and paper (21.93%), cloth and fabric (7.8%), glass (5.42%), metal
(4.40%), and rubber (3.4%). Micro debris is also present in the area in
several forms such as wood, plants, and others by 75,63%. This was
followed by the foam (26,95%), line (7,8%), and the film (1,23%). The
seasonal variation (S1: January–March and S3: July to September) are the
most polluted months of the year. The sources of marine debris are
mainly tourism (beach users), land (run off), and commercial fishing in
the four seasons of the year.
Keywords: Plastic waste; Biodegradation; Marine pollution; Martil; Morocco

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Ingestion of marine debris by the White-chinned Petrel (Procellaria aequinoctialis): Is it increasing over time off southern Brazil?

guenther — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 18:48:59 +0000

Maria V. Petry, Victória R.F. Benemann, Ingestion of marine debris by
the White-chinned Petrel (Procellaria aequinoctialis): Is it increasing
over time off southern Brazil?, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 117,
Issues 1–2, 15 April 2017, Pages 131-135, ISSN 0025-326X,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.01.073.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X17301017)
Abstract: Abstract
Seabirds are amongst the most affected organisms by plastic pollution
worldwide. Ingestion of marine debris has been reported in at least 122
species, and owing to the increasing global production and persistence
of these anthropogenic materials within the marine environment, it is
expected to be a growing problem to the marine fauna. Here we report
evidence of an increasing frequency in marine debris ingestion and a
decrease in the amount of plastic pellets ingested by White-chinned
Petrels attending south Brazilian waters during the last three decades.
Future studies comprising large temporal scales and large sample sizes
are needed to better understand the trends of marine debris ingestion by
seabirds. We expect our findings to highlight the need for prevention
policies and mitigation measures to reduce the amount of solid litter in
the oceans.
Keywords: Plastic; Litter; Procellariiformes; Pollution; South Atlantic;
Seabirds

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Ocean Contamination Generated from Plastics

guenther — Wed, 25 Dec 2013 12:04:00 +0000

K. Saido, 1.6 - Ocean Contamination Generated from Plastics, In 
Comprehensive Water Quality and Purification, edited by Satinder Ahuja, 
Elsevier, Waltham, 2014, Pages 86-97, ISBN 9780123821836, 
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-382182-9.00005-0.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780123821829000050)
Abstract: For clarification of causes leading to new global chemical 
contamination from plastics, beach sand and water taken from sites 
around the world were extracted with dichloromethane and analyzed by 
selected ion monitoring-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry 
(SIM-GC/MS). All samples were found to contain the styrene oligomer (SO) 
(in this study, SO is considered to be a mixture of styrene monomer 
(SM), )1styrene dimer (SD1), SD2, and styrene trimer (ST)), a mixture 
consisting of phenylethylene (SM), 2,4-diphenyl-1-butene (SD), and 
2,4,6-triphenyl-1-hexene (ST). New global chemical contamination 
products were clearly shown to be derived from polystyrene (PS) 
decomposition and/or elution in the ocean, as well as from marine debris 
plastics whose presence may persist well into the future.
Keywords: Adverse effects; Bisphenol A; Degradation; Elution; Marine 
debris plastics; Nonylphenol; Phthalate; Styrene oligomer; Toxicity

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Plastic debris in Mediterranean seabirds

guenther — Sun, 22 Dec 2013 16:34:12 +0000

Marina Codina-García, Teresa Militão, Javier Moreno, Jacob 
González-Solís, Plastic debris in Mediterranean seabirds, Marine 
Pollution Bulletin, Volume 77, Issues 1–2, 15 December 2013, Pages 
220-226, ISSN 0025-326X, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.10.002.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X13006048)
Abstract: Plastic debris is often ingested by marine predators and can 
cause health disorders and even death. We present the first assessment 
of plastic ingestion in Mediterranean seabirds. We quantified and 
measured plastics accumulated in the stomach of 171 birds from 9 species 
accidentally caught by longliners in the western Mediterranean from 2003 
to 2010. Cory’s shearwaters (Calonectris diomedea) showed the highest 
occurrence (94%) and large numbers of small plastic particles per 
affected bird (on average N = 15.3 ± 24.4 plastics and mass = 23.4 ± 
49.6 mg), followed by Yelkouan shearwaters (Puffinus yelkouan, 70%, N = 
7.0 ± 7.9, 42.1 ± 100.0 mg), Balearic shearwaters (Puffinus 
mauretanicus, 70%, N = 3.6 ± 2.9, 5.5 ± 9.7 mg) and the rest of species 
(below 33%, N = 2.7, 113.6 ± 128.4 mg). Plastic characteristics did not 
differ between sexes and were not related to the physical condition of 
the birds. Our results point out the three endemic and threatened 
shearwater species as being particularly exposed to plastic accumulation.

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Numerical estimation of inflow flux of floating natural macro-debris into Tokyo Bay

guenther — Sun, 22 Dec 2013 16:28:35 +0000

T. Kataoka, H. Hinata, Y. Nihei, Numerical estimation of inflow flux of
floating natural macro-debris into Tokyo Bay, Estuarine, Coastal and
Shelf Science, Volume 134, 1 December 2013, Pages 69-79, ISSN 0272-7714,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2013.09.005.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272771413004046)
Abstract: We numerically estimated the inflow flux of terrestrial grass,
which is the main floating macro-debris, into Tokyo Bay from April 2008
to March 2009 based on a two-way particle-tracking model and an inverse
method applying a Lagrange multiplier. In the estimation, we used
surface current velocities derived by high-frequency ocean radar and the
quantity of grass collected by clean-up vessels which are operated daily
in the bay. At least 2115 m3 yr−1 of the grass flowed into the bay
annually, and the contribution of a flood event to the inflow flux of
grass was larger than that of the inflow flux of freshwater. We show
that 39% of the annual inflow flux of grass into the bay was collected,
and 61% flowed out of the bay or sank to the seabed. The numerical
estimation in this study will be useful to establish a system for
predicting patches of floating macro-debris in the bay, and to evaluate
the effects of river development or clean-up along river banks and flood
plains in the upper reaches.

http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/artscience/2013/11/artists-join-scientists-on-an-expedition-to-collect-marine-debris/

November 21, 2013
Artists Join Scientists on an Expedition to Collect Marine Debris

Washed up on the remote beaches of southern Alaska are plastics of every
shape, size and color. There are detergent bottles, cigarette lighters,
fishing nets and buoys, oil drums, fly swatters and Styrofoam balls in
various states of decay. They come from around the world, adrift in
rotating sea currents called gyres, and get snagged in the nooks and
crannies of Alaska’s shoreline. Set against a backdrop of trees, grizzly
bears and volcanic mountains, these plastics are eye-catching, almost
pretty—and yet they are polluting the world’s oceans.

The garbage, dubbed “marine debris” by the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, wreaks havoc on marine ecosystems. It
destroys habitats, transports nonnative species, entangles and
suffocates wildlife. Animals mistake the garbage for food and, feeling
full, starve to death with bellies full of junk. For humans, the problem
is more than cosmetic; marine debris endangers our food supply.

In June 2013, a team of artists and scientists set out to see the blight
firsthand. Expedition GYRE, a project of the Anchorage Museum and the
Alaska SeaLife Center, traveled 450 nautical miles along the coast of
the Gulf of Alaska to observe, collect and study marine debris. A
companion exhibition, opening in February 2014 at the Anchorage Museum,
will showcase artworks made using ocean debris.

For the artists on the GYRE expedition, each day in Alaska was filled
with scientific briefings, trash reconnaissance and individual pursuits.
All four artists—Mark Dion, Pam Longobardi, Andy Hughes and Karen
Larsen—are known for work that explores environmental themes and, more
or less explicitly, the pleasures and perils of plastic.

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Plastic debris retention and exportation by a mangrove forest patch, Brazil

guenther — Sun, 22 Dec 2013 16:43:22 +0000

Juliana A. Ivar do Sul, Monica F. Costa, Jacqueline S. Silva-Cavalcanti, 
Maria Christina B. Araújo, Plastic debris retention and exportation by a 
mangrove forest patch, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Available online 7 
December 2013, ISSN 0025-326X, 
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.11.011.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X13007121)
Abstract: An experiment observed the behavior of selected tagged plastic 
items deliberately released in different habitats of a tropical mangrove 
forest in NE Brazil in late rainy (September) and late dry (March) 
seasons. Significant differences were not reported among seasons. 
However, marine debris retention varied among habitats, according to 
characteristics such as hydrodynamic (i.e., flow rates and volume 
transported) and relative vegetation (Rhizophora mangle) height and 
density. The highest grounds retained significantly more items when 
compared to the borders of the river and the tidal creek. Among the used 
tagged items, PET bottles were more observed and margarine tubs were 
less observed, being easily transported to adjacent habitats. Plastic 
bags were the items most retained near the releasing site. The balance 
between items retained and items lost was positive, demonstrating that 
mangrove forests tend to retain plastic marine debris for long periods 
(months-years).
Keywords: Mangrove forests; Coastal ecosystems; Environmental 
conservation; Marine debris; Fishers communities

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Modelled transport of benthic marine microplastic pollution in the Nazaré Canyon

guenther — Sun, 22 Dec 2013 15:33:10 +0000

Ballent, A., Pando, S., Purser, A., Juliano, M. F., and Thomsen, L.: 
Modelled transport of benthic marine microplastic pollution in the 
Nazaré Canyon, Biogeosciences, 10, 7957-7970, 
doi:10.5194/bg-10-7957-2013, 2013.

Abstract. With knowledge of typical hydrodynamic behavior of waste 
plastic material, models predicting the dispersal of benthic plastics 
from land sources within the ocean are possible. Here we investigated 
the hydrodynamic behavior (density, settling velocity and resuspension 
characteristics) of non-buoyant preproduction plastic pellets in the 
laboratory. From these results we used the MOHID modelling system to 
predict what would be the likely transport and deposition pathways of 
such material in the Nazaré Canyon (Portugal) during the spring/summer 
months of 2009 and the autumn/winter months of 2011.

Model outputs indicated that non-buoyant plastic pellets would likely be 
transported up and down canyon as a function of tidal forces, with only 
a minor net down canyon movement resulting from tidal action. The model 
indicated that transport down canyon was likely greater during the 
autumn/winter, primarily as a result of occasional mass transport events 
related to storm activity and internal wave action. Transport rates 
within the canyon were not predicted to be regular throughout the canyon 
system, with stretches of the upper canyon acting more as locations of 
pellet deposition than conduits of pellet transport. Topography and the 
depths of internal wave action are hypothesized to contribute to this 
lack of homogeneity in predicted transport.

http://www.biogeosciences.net/10/7957/2013/bg-10-7957-2013.pdf

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