A.O. Debrot, E. Vinke, G. van der Wende, A. Hylkema, J.K. Reed,
Deepwater marine litter densities and composition from submersible
video-transects around the ABC-islands, Dutch Caribbean, Marine
Pollution Bulletin, Volume 88, Issues 1?2, 15 November 2014, Pages
361-365, ISSN 0025-326X, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.08.016.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X14005463)
Abstract: Baseline data on anthropogenic seafloor debris contamination
in the year 2000 is provided for 24 submersible video transects at
depths of 80?900 m, off the Dutch ABC-islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao),
in the southeastern Caribbean Sea. In total, 202 objects were documented
from a combined 21,184 m of transect, ranging from sandy lower
island-slope to rocky upper island-slope habitat. Debris densities
differed significantly with depth. Highest debris accumulation (0.459
items 100 m?2 or 4590 items per km2) occurred at depths of 300?600 m on
more shallow-sloping (20?30°) sand and silt bottoms. The overall average
debris density was 0.27 objects per 100 m2 (or 2700 items per km2),
which is an order of magnitude higher than most other deepwater debris
studies. What we describe may be representative for other small,
populated, steep volcanic Caribbean islands. Food and beverage-related
items were the single largest usage category identified (44% of objects;
mostly glass beverage bottles).
Keywords: Caribbean; Seafloor; Marine; Deepwater; Debris; Pollution