Fernanda E. Possatto, Henry L. Spach, André P. Cattani, Marcelo R.
Lamour, Lilyane O. Santos, Nathalie M.A. Cordeiro, Matt K. Broadhurst,
Marine debris in a World Heritage Listed Brazilian estuary, Marine
Pollution Bulletin, Available online 7 October 2014, ISSN 0025-326X,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.09.032.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X14006419)
Abstract: Using monthly otter-trawl deployments, spatial and temporal
variability among the relative densities of marine debris were assessed
in the Paranaguá estuarine complex; a subtropical World Heritage Listed
area in southern Brazil. During 432 deployments over 12 months, 291
marine debris items were identified; of which most (92%) were plastic,
and more specifically shopping bags, food packages, candy wrappers and
cups typically >21 mm long. The most contaminated sectors were those
closest to Paranaguá city and the adjacent port, and had up to 23.37 ±
3.22 pieces ha?1. Less urbanized sectors had between 12.84 ± 1.49 and
9.32 ± 1.10 pieces ha?1. Contamination did not vary between dry or wet
seasons, but rather was probably affected by consistent urban disposal
and localized hydrological processes. Marine debris might be minimized
by using more environment friendly materials, however a concrete
solution requires adequately integrating local government and civil society.
Keywords: Marine litter; Pollution; Plastic bags; Plastic fragments;
Risk to marine life; Biodiversity hotspot