Environmental Pollution, Volume 237, 2018, Pages 275-284, ISSN 0269-7491,

Abstract:

Microplastic and microfiber pollution has been documented in
all major ocean basins. Microfibers are one of the most common
microparticle pollutants along shorelines. Over 9 million tons of fibers
are produced annually; 60% are synthetic and ∼25% are non-synthetic.
Non-synthetic and semi-synthetic microfibers are infrequently documented
and not typically included in marine environment impact analyses,
resulting in underestimation of a potentially pervasive and harmful
pollutant. We present the most extensive worldwide microparticle
distribution dataset using 1-liter grab samples (n = 1393). Our citizen
scientist driven study shows a global microparticle average of
11.8 ± 24.0 particles L−1 (mean ± SD), approximately three orders of
magnitude higher than global model predictions. Open ocean samples
showed consistently higher densities than coastal samples, with the
highest concentrations found in the polar oceans (n = 51), confirming
previous empirical and theoretical studies. Particles were predominantly
microfibers (91%) and 0.1–1.5 mm in length (77%), a smaller size than
those captured in the majority of surface studies. Using μFT-IR we
determined the material types of 113 pieces; 57% were classified as
synthetic, 12% as semi-synthetic, and 31% as non-synthetic. Samples were
taken globally, including from coastal environments and understudied
ocean regions. Some of these sites are emerging as areas of concentrated
floating plastic and anthropogenic debris, influenced by distant waste
mismanagement and/or deposition of airborne particles. Incorporation of
smaller-sized microfibers in oceanographic models, which has been
lacking, will help us to better understand the movement and
transformation of synthetic, semi-synthetic and non-synthetic
microparticles in regional seas and ocean basins.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1igOxgrL6DSSvDtXI161CWaJn6ytsp5X7

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2018.02.062.(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749117349400)

The post Marine environment microfiber contamination: Global patterns and the diversity of microparticle origins appeared first on One Earth - One Ocean e. V..

Marine environment microfiber contamination: Global patterns and the diversity of microparticle origins,
Environmental Pollution,Volume 237, 2018, Pages 275-284, ISSN 0269-7491,

Abstract:

Microplastic and microfiber pollution has been documented in all major ocean basins. Microfibers are one of the most common microparticle pollutants along shorelines. Over 9 million tons of fibers are produced annually; 60% are synthetic and ∼25% are non-synthetic.
Non-synthetic and semi-synthetic microfibers are infrequently documented and not typically included in marine environment impact analyses, resulting in underestimation of a potentially pervasive and harmful pollutant.
We present the most extensive worldwide microparticle distribution dataset using 1-liter grab samples (n = 1393). Our citizen scientist driven study shows a global microparticle average of 11.8 ± 24.0 particles L−1 (mean ± SD), approximately three orders of
magnitude higher than global model predictions.
Open ocean samples showed consistently higher densities than coastal samples, with the
highest concentrations found in the polar oceans (n = 51), confirming previous empirical and theoretical studies. Particles were predominantly microfibers (91%) and 0.1–1.5 mm in length (77%), a smaller size than those captured in the majority of surface studies. Using μFT-IR we determined the material types of 113 pieces; 57% were classified as
synthetic, 12% as semi-synthetic, and 31% as non-synthetic. Samples were taken globally, including from coastal environments and understudied ocean regions. Some of these sites are emerging as areas of concentrated floating plastic and anthropogenic debris, influenced by distant waste mismanagement and/or deposition of airborne particles. Incorporation of smaller-sized microfibers in oceanographic models, which has been
lacking, will help us to better understand the movement and transformation of synthetic, semi-synthetic and non-synthetic microparticles in regional seas and ocean basins.
Keywords: Microfiber; Microplastic; Marine pollution; Microparticle;
Citizen science

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1igOxgrL6DSSvDtXI161CWaJn6ytsp5X7
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2018.02.062.(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749117349400)

The post Marine environment microfiber contamination: Global patterns and the diversity of microparticle origins appeared first on One Earth - One Ocean e. V..

Spatio-temporal variation of anthropogenic marine debris on Chilean beaches,
Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 126, 2018, Pages 516-524, ISSN 0025-326X,

Abstract: We examined the hypothesis that in an emerging economy such as
Chile the abundances of Anthropogenic Marine Debris (AMD) on beaches are
increasing over time. The citizen science program Científicos de la
Basura (“Litter Scientists”) conducted three national surveys (2008,
2012 and 2016) to determine AMD composition, abundance, spatial patterns
and temporal trends. AMD was found on all beaches along the entire
Chilean coast. Highest percentages of AMD in all surveys were plastics
and cigarette butts, which can be attributed to local sources (i.e.
beach users). The Antofagasta region in northern Chile had the highest
abundance of AMD compared with all other zones. Higher abundances of AMD
were found at the upper stations from almost all zones. No significant
tendency of increasing or decreasing AMD densities was observed during
the 8years covered by our study, which suggests that economic
development alone cannot explain temporal trends in AMD densities.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X17309682/pdfft?md5=6de604bdbb8d1651fc7d5b023187ce85&pid=1-s2.0-S0025326X17309682-main.pdf

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Fd-1NPb3ym3w8FDZBFOUam2nOp3uR2yl

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.11.014.(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X17309682)

The post Spatio-temporal variation of anthropogenic marine debris on Chilean beaches appeared first on One Earth - One Ocean e. V..

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 126, 2018, Pages 516-524, ISSN 0025-326X,

Abstract:

We examined the hypothesis that in an emerging economy such as Chile the abundances of Anthropogenic Marine Debris (AMD) on beaches are increasing over time. The citizen science program Científicos de la Basura (“Litter Scientists”) conducted three national surveys (2008,
2012 and 2016) to determine AMD composition, abundance, spatial patterns and temporal trends.

AMD was found on all beaches along the entire Chilean coast. Highest percentages of AMD in all surveys were plastics
and cigarette butts, which can be attributed to local sources (i.e. beach users). The Antofagasta region in northern Chile had the highest
abundance of AMD compared with all other zones. Higher abundances of AMD were found at the upper stations from almost all zones. No significant tendency of increasing or decreasing AMD densities was observed during the 8years covered by our study, which suggests that economic development alone cannot explain temporal trends in AMD densities.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X17309682/pdfft?md5=6de604bdbb8d1651fc7d5b023187ce85&pid=1-s2.0-S0025326X17309682-main.pdf

The post Spatio-temporal variation of anthropogenic marine debris on Chilean beaches appeared first on One Earth - One Ocean e. V..

Marine litter pollutes Arctic beaches and affects wild life,
Marine Pollution Bulletin,

Available online 28 September 2017, ISSN 0025-326X

Abstract:

Recent data indicate accumulation areas of marine litter in Arctic waters and significant increases over time. Beaches on remote Arctic
islands may be sinks for marine litter and reflect pollution levels ofthe surrounding waters particularly well.
We provide the first quantitative data from surveys carried out by citizen scientists on six beaches of Svalbard.

Litter quantities recorded by cruise touristsvaried from 9–524 g m− 2 and were similar to those from denselypopulated areas.
Plastics accounted for > 80% of the overall litter, most of which originated from fisheries. Photographs provided by
citizens show deleterious effects of beach litter on Arctic wildlife, which is already under strong pressure from global climate change. Our
study highlights the potential of citizen scientists to provide scientifically valuable data on the pollution of sensitive remote
ecosystems.
The results stress once more that current legislative frameworks are insufficient to tackle the pollution of Arctic ecosystems.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X17307919/pdfft?md5=97f6ec46875219bde58053e8afcad52a&pid=1-s2.0-S0025326X17307919-main.pdf

The post Marine litter pollutes Arctic beaches and affects wild life appeared first on One Earth - One Ocean e. V..

Abstract:
Recent data indicate accumulation areas of marine litter in Arctic
waters and significant increases over time. Beaches on remote Arctic
islands may be sinks for marine litter and reflect pollution levels of
the surrounding waters particularly well. We provide the first
quantitative data from surveys carried out by citizen scientists on six
beaches of Svalbard. Litter quantities recorded by cruise tourists
varied from 9–524 g m− 2 and were similar to those from densely
populated areas. Plastics accounted for > 80% of the overall litter,
most of which originated from fisheries. Photographs provided by
citizens show deleterious effects of beach litter on Arctic wildlife,
which is already under strong pressure from global climate change. Our
study highlights the potential of citizen scientists to provide
scientifically valuable data on the pollution of sensitive remote
ecosystems. The results stress once more that current legislative
frameworks are insufficient to tackle the pollution of Arctic
ecosystems.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X17307919/pdfft?md5=97f6ec46875219bde58053e8afcad52a&pid=1-s2.0-S0025326X17307919-main.pdf

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.09.055.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X17307919)

The post Citizen scientists reveal: Marine litter pollutes Arctic beaches and affects wild life appeared first on One Earth - One Ocean e. V..