A critical review of the issue of cigarette butt pollution in coastal environments

Cigarette butts in two urban areas from Brazil: Links among environmental impacts, demography and market

Environmental impacts are currently linked to smoking cigarette behavior, as cigarette butts (CBs) represent the most common litter item in natural areas. Despite this, even the best ranked Brazilian cities, in terms of urban cleaning, have no information about urban littered CBs. Thus, CBs were monitored in Santos and Niterói cities, aiming to assess contamination, Cigarette Butt Pollution Index (CBPI) and the illegal market size. CBs were collected in 36 walkways considering different land usage types and urban density levels. The CBPI was calculated, and brands were used to identify the size of the illegal market. CBs contamination in Santos (0.25 CBs/m²) was three times higher than Niterói (0.08 CBs/m²) and their occurrence and distribution presented no relationship with land usage types and urban population densities levels. CBPI = 17.6 was severe and the highest so far reported. A total of 28 cigarette brands were found both studied cities. Further, illegal cigarette consumption in Santos and Niteroi was estimated, based on brands of collected CBs, at 25.2% and 36.8%, respectively. Such data may be valuable for implementation of logistic reverse actions seeking to environmentally sustainable and socially resilient cities. Cigarette consumption threatens human life and the environment, and tobacco companies should be accountable for the pollution they generate.

Aromatic amines contents of cigarette butts: Fresh and aged cigarette butts vs unsmoked cigarette

Cigarette butts (CBs) are some of the most abundant waste items in the environment and may contain high levels of different toxic chemicals, such as aromatic amines (AAs). However, to this date, there is no comprehensive study on the role of CBs in the emission of AAs into the environment. The present study investigated for the first time the concentration levels of 10 primary aromatic amines (PAAs), including ANL, p-TOL, m-TOL, o-TOL, 2,6-DMA, o-ASD, 2-NA, 1-NA, 3-ABP, and 4-ABP that were measured and compared in unsmoked cigarette, freshly smoked CBs, and CBs collected from urban streets (named here aged CBs). The mean levels of ∑PAAs in different sample categories were statistically significantly different and the mean level order was as freshly smoked CBs > aged CBs > unsmoked cigarette with the values of 3.43, 2.12 μg g-1, and 0.28 μg g-1, respectively. The levels of ∑PAAs, ANL, o-ASD, 2,6-DMA, 2-NA, and ∑TOL dramatically increased by 12.26, 4.05, 8.46, 10.41, 4.78, and 28.84 times, respectively, right after smoking comparing the freshly smoked CBs samples and unsmoked cigarette. The results also showed a substantial decrease in the levels of PAAs (except o-ASD) in the aged CBs samples compared to freshly smoked CBs. The levels of ∑PAAs, o-ASD, 2,6-DMA, ∑TOL, ANL, 2-NA, 1-NA, and ∑ABP decreased 1.62, 1.09, 1.91, 3.20, 3.42, 2.63, 2.00, and 1.88 times, respectively. Considering the average PAAS content and estimated CBs littered worldwide every year, freshly smoked CBs can theoretically emit 2.9 tons of ∑PAAs into the environment annually. Considering other chemicals that may also be released into the environment via CBs (beside PAAs), we can consider CBs as a critical source of toxic compounds into the environment and water bodies.

Seasonal heterogeneity and a link to precipitation in the release of microplastic during COVID-19 outbreak from the Greater Jakarta area to Jakarta Bay, Indonesia

To reduce microplastic contamination in the environment, we need to better understand its sources and transit, especially from land to sea. This study examines microplastic contamination in Jakarta's nine river outlets. Microplastics were found in all sampling intervals and areas, ranging from 4.29 to 23.49 particles m^-3. The trend of microplastic contamination tends to increase as the anthropogenic activity towards Jakarta Bay from the eastern side of the bay. Our study found a link between rainfall and the abundance of microplastic particles in all river outlets studied. This investigation found polyethylene, polystyrene, and polypropylene in large proportion due to their widespread use in normal daily life and industrial applications. Our research observed an increase in microplastic fibers made of polypropylene over time. We suspect a relationship between COVID-19 PPE waste and microplastic shift in our study area. More research is needed to establish how and where microplastics enter rivers.

Different faces of cigarette butts, the most abundant beach litter worldwide

Cigarette butts (CBs) are non-biodegradable residues of synthetic origin, prevalent on beaches all over the world. The study evaluates discarded CBs on an intensely used urban beach, determining variations in physical and chemical characteristics. CBs collected were observed, classified, and visually separated according to a proposed scale of four levels of degradation to test the potential match between physical and chemical decay. CBs (un-smoked, smoked, and discarded) were used to determine the average length (cm) and mass (g) in order to observe changes in these parameters among the levels. Cigarette butts experience consecutive mass loss during environmental exposure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images were obtained to assess physical changes in fibers due to smoking. FTIR-ATR was used to assess CBs new (un-smoked), smoked, and discarded samples in relation to cellulose acetate decay. The FTIR-ATR spectroscopy of the most visually degraded cigarette butts indicated modifications in the spectra when compared to un-smoked cigarettes.

Cigarette butts as a super challenge in solid waste management: a review of current knowledge

Filtered cigarette is the most common type of tobacco used and cigarette butt is the most important environmental consequence of smoking. This study aimed to investigate the cigarette butt management and identify future needs to improve the current situation. The results showed that cigarette butts are the most abundant and widespread hazardous waste in the world. The current form of cigarette butt management has inferior performance that faced waste management systems with serious challenges. The results showed that reducing the littering rate and recycling are known as basic strategies in the management of this hazardous waste. Future studies should focus on reducing cigarette butt pollution and the amount of pollutant leakage from them.

Degradation of Cellulose Derivatives in Laboratory, Man-Made, and Natural Environments

Biodegradable polymers complement recyclable materials in battling plastic waste because some products are difficult to recycle and some will end up in the environment either because of their application or due to wear of the products. Natural biopolymers, such as cellulose, are inherently biodegradable, but chemical modification typically required for the obtainment of thermoplastic properties, solubility, or other desired material properties can hinder or even prevent the biodegradation process. This Review summarizes current knowledge on the degradation of common cellulose derivatives in different laboratory, natural, and man-made environments. Depending on the environment, the degradation can be solely biodegradation or a combination of several processes, such as chemical and enzymatic hydrolysis, photodegradation, and oxidation. It is clear that the type of modification and especially the degree of substitution are important factors controlling the degradation process of cellulose derivatives in combination with the degradation environment. The big variation of conditions in different environments is also briefly considered as well as the importance of the proper testing environment, characterization of the degradation process, and confirmation of biodegradability. To ensure full sustainability of the new cellulose derivatives under development, the expected end-of-life scenario, whether material recycling or "biological" recycling, should be included as an important design parameter.

Cigarette butt littering consequences: a study of pollution rate on beaches and urban environments

Cigarette butts are hazardous wastes that are not properly discarded by most smokers. They are one of the most abundant litters in the environment and a threat to various organisms because they leak numerous pollutants. This study aimed to assess the distribution of cigarette butts in a coastal city south of the Caspian Sea in Mazandaran Province, Iran. Observations were performed using the visual survey technique based on standardized protocol. The results showed 11,261 littered cigarette butts in 15 studied urban areas ( an average of 0.306 units per square meter). Also, the average density of littered cigarette butts on the studied beaches was 0.106 per square meter. The littered cigarette butts had significant spatial variation, and the number of counts was 135 to 2090. The land-use has a significant effect on the density of littered cigarette butts due to its population density. The inquiry's index demonstrated that 33.3% of the studied urban areas are high pollution and severe pollution, while all beaches are high and severe. Therefore, a significant focus must be considered to reduce cigarette butts littering due to the collection problems and challenges of cigarette butt management. Because the pollution on the beaches is higher than in urban areas, improving waste management services and establishing a regular cleaning program are essential.

Closing the Carbon Loop in the Circular Plastics Economy

Today, plastics are ubiquitous in everyday life, problem solvers of modern technologies, and crucial for sustainable development. Yet the surge in global demand for plastics of the growing world population has triggered a tidal wave of plastic debris in the environment. Moving from a linear to a zero-waste and carbon-neutral circular plastic economy is vital for the future of the planet. Taming the plastic waste flood requires closing the carbon loop through plastic reuse, mechanical and molecular recycling, carbon capture, and use of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. In the quest for eco-friendly products, plastics do not need to be reinvented but tuned for reuse and recycling. Their full potential must be exploited regarding energy, resource, and eco efficiency, waste prevention, circular economy, climate change mitigation, and lowering environmental pollution. Biodegradation holds promise for composting and bio-feedstock recovery, but it is neither the Holy Grail of circular plastics economy nor a panacea for plastic littering. As an alternative to mechanical downcycling, molecular recycling enables both closed-loop recovery of virgin plastics and open-loop valorization, producing hydrogen, fuels, refinery feeds, lubricants, chemicals, and carbonaceous materials. Closing the carbon loop does not create a Perpetuum Mobile and requires renewable energy to achieve sustainability. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

A rapid assessment technique for coastal plastic debris sampling: Applications for remote regions and community science

Marine debris is an environmental issue of increasing importance worldwide, with 80% of marine plastics estimated to originate from land-based sources. While much work has been conducted to quantify plastics in coastal environments, many of these approaches are site-specific and not amenable to rapid surveys. We surveyed beaches around Nova Scotia, Canada for plastic and other anthropogenic debris to: 1) quantify debris density on the high tide line; and 2) test a rapid survey technique using digital photos, with applications for community science and remote regions. Most (72%) beaches in Nova Scotia contained debris, but plastic densities along the daily high tide line were relatively low (mean 0.2 debris/m²) with little interannual variation. Despite small differences in plastic densities between observers, this rapid assessment technique appears viable for relative quantification and monitoring of plastic debris on beaches across large geographic scales to assess trends and sources.

Are Tourists Willing to Pay for a Marine Litter-Free Coastal Attraction to Achieve Tourism Sustainability? Case Study of Libong Island, Thailand

Coastal areas around the world are under increasing environmental pressures from marine litter. In particular, tourism in coastal tourist areas suffers with waste littering on the coast, as well as in the water. Therefore, substantial costs are required for the handling of marine litter in order to achieve sustainable development in the tourism sector. The introduction of an entrance fee as an economic tool is a feasible way to provide alternative financing, in addition to limited government funding. The objective of this study was to estimate tourists’ willingness to pay (WTP) for visiting a marine litter-free coastal attraction, and examine the factors affecting the WTP. A questionnaire was employed using a single-bound dichotomous choice method on Libong Island, Thailand, between September and December 2020. A logistic model was used to estimate the WTP of the 1655 respondents. The mean WTP obtained is THB 92.24 per person per visit (approximately USD 3). The expected benefit of charging an entrance fee is THB 27.52 million (USD 0.88 million) for 2019. The factors influencing WTP are bid amount, age, education, monthly income, marine litter perception, and environmentally responsible behaviors. Associated initiatives were recommended to achieve coastal destination sustainability, including regular clean-up operations at beaches, seagrass beds, and surrounding waters; the placement and maintenance of litter facilities; and the promotion of marine litter awareness and environmentally responsible behaviors.

Seasonal and geographic variations of marine litter: A comprehensive study from the island of Cyprus

Twenty beaches located around the island of Cyprus, in the eastern Mediterranean, were identified as monitoring sites. They were monitored over four monitoring sessions from January to September 2021 to assess marine litter amounts, categories, and spatiotemporal distribution. A total of 42,499 marine litter items were collected. The average marine litter density was 0.19 items/m². Most of the collected items were plastics, with single-use plastics being ubiquitous. Plastic fragments >2.5 cm made a significant proportion of the plastic litter collected, particularly in the northern coasts of the island. Cigarette butts were abundant on touristic beaches, especially in the tourism period. The study identifies significant temporal and spatial variations in the abundance and distribution of marine litter, as well as variations related to waste management or lack thereof.

Tobacco Taxes as the Unsung Hero: Impact of a Tax Increase on Advancing Sustainable Development in Colombia

Objective: Tobacco taxes are a well-established cost-effective policy to prevent Noncommunicable Diseases. This paper evaluates the expected effects of a tobacco tax increase on the Sustainable Development Goals in Colombia. Methods: We use microsimulation to build an artificial society that mimics the observed characteristics of Colombia's population, and from there we simulate the behavioral response to a tax increase of COP$4,750 (an increase that has been discussed by policy makers and legislators) and the subsequent effects in all SDGs. Results: The tobacco tax hike reduces the number of smokers (from 4.51 to 3.45 MM smokers) and smoking intensity, resulting in a drop in the number of cigarettes smoked in Colombia (from 332.3 to 215.5 MM of 20-stick packs). Such reduction is expected to decrease premature mortality, healthcare costs, poverty and people facing catastrophic expenditure on healthcare, to increase health, income and gender equity, and to strengthen domestic resource mobilization even in the presence of illicit cigarettes. Conclusion: Tobacco taxes are an effective intervention for public health and a powerful instrument to advance on the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. Relevance: A comprehensive analysis of the impact of tobacco taxes on all areas of Sustainable Development is missing in the empirical literature. Such perspective is needed to break the barriers for further tobacco tax increases by gathering wider societal support, especially from stakeholders and key decision makers from development areas other than health. SDG Nr: SDG3 (health), SDG 1 (no poverty), SDG 4 (education), SDG 5 (gender equality), SDG6 (water), SDG10 (inequality), SDG12 (responsible production and consumption), SDG17 (partnerships).

Content of toxic components of cigarette, cigarette smoke vs cigarette butts: A comprehensive systematic review

The commercially sold cigarettes contain more than 7000 chemicals, and their combustion produces potential toxicants in mainstream smoke (MS), sidestream smoke (SS), secondhand smoke (SHS), thirdhand smoke (THS), and discarded cigarette butts (CBs). We conducted a systematic review of published literature to compare the toxicants produced in each of these phases of tobacco combustion (MS, SS, and CBs). The initial search included 12,301 articles, but after screening and final restrictions considering the aims of this review, 159 published studies were selected for inclusion. Additionally, SHS and THS are briefly discussed here. Overall, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other aromatic hydrocarbons have been represented in more studies than other compounds. However, metals and nitrosamines were detected in higher concentrations than other components in SS. The concentrations of most PAHs and other aromatic hydrocarbons in MS and SS are higher compared to concentrations found in CBs. Also, the concentrations of all the studied carbonyl compounds, aldehydes and ketones in SS and MS were higher than in CBs. The mean levels of alcohols and phenols in SS were higher than those reported for both MS and CBs. Tobacco toxicants are inhaled by smokers and transmitted to the environment through SS, SHS, THS, and discarded CBs. However, further studies are necessary to assess adverse effects of toxicants found in CBs and THS not only on human health, but also on the environment and ecosystems. The results of this review provide updated information on the chemical contents of MS, SS, SHS, THS, and CBs. It adds to the growing understanding that smoking creates major health problems for smokers and passive smokers, but also that it generates environmental hazards with consequences to the ecosystems and human health through discarded CBs, SHS, and THS exposure.

Where does marine litter hide? The Providencia and Santa Catalina Island problem, SEAFLOWER Reserve (Colombia)

The SEAFLOWER Biosphere Reserve (SBR) is the largest Marine Protected Area in the Caribbean Sea and the second largest in Latin America. Marine protected areas are under pressure from various stressors, one of the most important issues being pollution by marine litter, especially plastic. In this study our aim is to establish the distribution pattern and potential sources of solid waste in the different marine/coastal ecosystems of the islands of Providencia and Santa Catalina (SBR), as well as assess any interconnections between these ecosystems. At the same time, the distribution characteristics of marine litter in the different compartments facilitated a more dynamic understanding of the load of marine litter supplied by the islands, both locally and externally. We observed that certain ecosystems, principally back-beach vegetation and mangroves, act as crucial marine litter accumulation zones. Mangroves are important hotspots for plastic accumulation, with densities above eight items/m² (minimum 8.38 and maximum 10.38 items/m²), while back-beach vegetation (minimum 1.43 and maximum 7.03 items/m²) also removes and stores a portion of the marine litter that arrives on the beaches. Tourist beaches for recreational activities have a low density of marine litter (minimum 0.01 and maximum 0.72 items/m²) due to regular clean-ups, whereas around non-tourist beaches, there is a greater variety of sources and accumulation (minimum 0.31 and maximum 5.41 items/m²). The low density of marine litter found on corals around the island (0-0.02 items/m²) indicates that there is still no significant marine litter stream to the coral reefs. Identifying contamination levels in terms of marine litter and possible flows between ecosystems is critical for adopting management and reduction strategies for such residues.

Estimation of the heavy metals released from cigarette butts to beaches and urban environments

Cigarette butts (CB) are considered as a commonly littered waste. This hazardous waste contains a variety of pollutants. This study was developed to estimate the release of some heavy metals from CBs to the environment in different climatic conditions in different scenarios. To this end, CBs samples were obtained through artificial smoking from 10 high-consumption brands in the Iranian market, and their samples in urban areas were taken and analyzed in terms of heavy metals pollution. The results showed that the average concentrations of Lead, Cadmium, Chromium, Zinc, Copper, Nickel in the studied CBs were 1.71, 0.36, 1.59, 24.61, 12.83, and 2.66 µg/g, respectively. The long persistency of CBs in the environment leads to increased release of all heavy metals to 9.7%. In addition, the rainfall can accelerate the leaching of heavy metals to 17.7% compared to the control scenario. The total mean concentrations of the studied metals in the CBs samples collected from the urban areas in rainy and non-rainy conditions were measured to be 32.67-51.81 μg/g, respectively. According to the data obtained for the amount of each heavy metal releases in four scenarios, 147.5 kg/year and 57.3 kg/year heavy metals are released to the environment in the worst and the best-case scenarios. This study showed that CBs littering lead to the release of heavy metals into the environment; it is necessary to reduce the density of CBs in urban and public environments by training the smokers as well as increasing the efficiency of the urban cleaning system.

What can beach litter tell about local management: A comparison of five pocket beaches of the North Sardinia island (Italy)

Our study provides a first dataset on marine litter collected at five pocket beaches situated in the northern Sardinia (Italy). The monitoring method refers to the operational guidelines for rapid beach assessment of beach waste described by UNEP. We classified the 7975 items collected according to the eight categories and 99 types. Their analysis indicates that plastic is the most common litter category and, plastic fragments are the most frequent debris. The density ranges from 0.05 to 2.82 item/m². The top 10 highly present marine litter reveals that land-based litter is the main source, probably due to the lack of waste management, massive tourism and recreational activities. In addition, landscape morphology affects the redistribution of marine litter. Overall, these first results are part of a wider study on the presence of marine litter in the pocket beaches of north Sardinia to provide coastal managers and policy makers mitigation strategies.

Bioassay-based ecotoxicological investigation on marine and freshwater impact of cigarette butt littering

Despite representing an extremely relevant portion (20-40%) of worldwide coastal litter, cigarette butts are still an underestimate environmental issue of limited scientific interest. Public authorities of different countries promote active removal of cigarette butts, but the issue remains problematic in terms of aesthetic, environmental and health-related impacts. There are few studies on the environmental side-effects of smoked cigarette butt litter despite being a worldwide issue. In this work, two ecotoxicological bioassay batteries were adopted to evaluate the environmental consequences of cigarette butt water-soluble ingredient release in both marine water and freshwater. Marine assays were generally more affected compared to freshwater. Interesting outcomes were observed with crustacean tests, showing a lower effect of smoked cigarette butt leachate when tested at maximum concentration. This finding were supported by heartbeat measures of Daphnia magna, which were accelerated at 100% of smoked cigarette butt leachate.

Cigarette butts in beach litter: Snapshot of a summer holiday

Cigarette butts are considered the most common form of personal litter around the world. It is estimated that 5.5 trillion cigarettes are consumed globally each year and that 4.95 trillion are discarded in some natural or anthropic environment around the world. This study evaluated the pollution of urban beaches in the Brazilian Northeast by cigarette butts in relation to other types of litter. Samplings were conducted in a month of high season (January 2016), at eight heavily used beaches. In the place with the highest concentration of users in each beach, a 200 m transect (3 m width) was established parallel to the water on the most recent strandline. All items >1 cm were counted and classified into categories according to composition (plastic, cigarette butts, wood, glass, metal, paper and organic, such as food leftovers and coconuts) using a standard worksheet. Cigarette butts were considered as an isolated category of litter. A total of 10,880 items was registered. The most abundant items were plastics (44.96%) and cigarette butts (38.36%). Among plastics, the most abundant items were straws, metallic food packaging, sticks (lollipop and popsicle) and cups. Plastic fragments were also abundant in all beaches evaluated, corresponding to 14.5% of the total plastics.

Potentially toxic elements leachates from cigarette butts into different types of water: A threat for aquatic environments and ecosystems?

Trillions of cigarette butts (CBs) are released into the environment and the leached potentially toxic elements (PTEs) from CBs may contaminate the environments. In this study, the leaching of PTEs including both heavy metals and metalloids (metal(loid)s) from CBs into deionized water (DW), tap water (TW), and seawater (SW) was checked during the different contact times (from 60 min to 60 days). According to the results, PTEs were leached from CBs into different water samples. However, there were no significant differences between leachates in DW and TW samples (p > 0.05). The results of the distribution coefficient indicated the high tendency of most PTEs to enter the liquid phase. The levels of leached PTEs into DW and TW exceeded the standards of surface freshwater to maintain aquatic life. Although the maximum level of leached metal(loid)s into DW, TW, and SW occurred at different times, for each type of water sample no significant differences were found among the levels of most PTEs at various contact times. Based on the results, the levels of leached metal(loid)s from CBs in seawater peak soon after being released into the water, while for the freshwater, they occur after some days. This phenomenon could possibly have short-term and long-term effects on marine and freshwater organisms, respectively. Due to the ability of the dissolved PTEs to integrate into the aquatic/terrestrial food web and threaten human health, some control measures regarding the disposal of CBs are necessary.

Development a new index for littered waste assessment in different environments: A study on coastal and urban areas of northern Iran (Caspian Sea)

The coastal pollution has been evaluated using indexes like Clean Coast Index (CCI) in many countries. In this study, several coasts and urban areas in northern of Iran along the Caspian Sea, were assessed in terms of number and composition of litters. Furthermore, Clean Environment Index (CEI) was used for the first time to interpret the results. The results indicated that 60% of the coasts and 50% of the urban areas were in a dirty status and only 22% of the total surveyed areas were found to be in a clean status. The highest number of litters observed in the study areas was cigarette butt. Due to the impact of risk factor of different types of littered waste, it was obviously clear that CEI offers a more realistic and rigorous interpretation than CCI. Therefore, this new index can be considered to evaluate litters pollution in various areas.

Spatiotemporal variability of solid waste on sandy beaches with different access restrictions

Intense human use and high construction density in coastal areas are stressors to sandy beaches. Pollution by marine debris is a major problem on beaches worldwide. This study pioneered an assessment of marine debris characterization over time on beaches with different levels of access. In two periods and seasons, marine debris was sampled on nine sandy beaches of Rio de Janeiro, grouped by levels of access. The general marine debris density has decreased over time, accompanied by an improvement in public cleaning mechanisms. The most important predictor for the majority of marine debris items is related to accessibility; beaches with restricted access showed a reduction in the abundance of most items. High marine debris densities, even on beaches with restricted access, showed that all evaluated beaches can be sinks for marine debris circulating in marine waters. Beach cleaning strategy improvements will be inefficient unless integrated marine debris management is implemented.

The role of cigarette butts as vectors of metals in the marine environment: Could it cause bioaccumulation in oysters?

Tobacco is a well-documented threat to human health. However, its environmental impact has only recently been considered. Metals can interact with cigarette butts (CBs) being transported in the marine environment and reaching organisms. To understand this mechanism, a series of metal(loid)s were analyzed in cigarette filters (virgin, artificially smoked, leached in seawater and aged in beach and harbour) as well as in artificially contaminated oyster tissues. Smoked filters showed higher levels of metals compared to the virgin ones showing enrichment factors up to 90, probably associated with tobacco metal content. Once the CBs are delivered to the environment, metals can be leached to seawater until reaching equilibrium, which may be dependent on initial metal levels in the water. Copper was the element with the highest percentage of desorption (91 ± 3%) while strontium showed the lowest percentage (40 ± 0%). CBs revealed a great capacity to accumulate metals from the environment when weathered in contaminated areas. A chemical impact derived from CBs contamination might exist as they serve as a carrier for metals in the marine environment. The release of metals from CBs or the ingestion of metal loaded CBs may pose a toxicological risk for marine organisms via accumulation in their tissues.

Occurrence, characterization, partition, and toxicity of cigarette butts in a highly urbanized coastal area

Cigarette butts (CBs) comprise one of the most relevant categories of marine litter worldwide. This study was structured as a case study simultaneously assessing (i) the occurrence of CBs in a highly urbanized coastal area, (ii) their partitioning in two environmental compartments (water column and sediments) by laboratory settling tests, and (iii) the toxicity produced by the CBs leachates (measured as copepod reproduction). Marine litter was sampled in beaches of the city of Santos (SW Brazil) and CBs were collected for analysis. The characterization showed that CBs were one of the most prevalent items (51.5% in summer and 34.4% in winter) and 22 cigarettes brands were identified at different stages of decomposition. Laboratory settling tests showed that CBs remain in the water column between 3 and 20 days, subsequently reaching the sediments. The toxicity results indicated that CBs the leachates extracted from a small amount of CBs was sufficient to affect copepod reproduction (0.1 and 0.01 CBs L^-1). Furthermore, the approaches adopted by the present study can serve as a preliminary assessment to estimate local impacts resulting from inadequate disposal of cigarette butts in coastal areas around the world.

Use of Sediqualsoft® to Determine the Toxicity of Cigarette Butts to Marine Species: A Weather Simulation Test

Cigarette butts (CBs) are among the dominant constituents of marine and beach litter. Few studies have been conducted, and the environmental effects of CBs on marine species are still poorly understood. This study aims to evaluate the ecotoxicological effects on marine organisms of both classic and electronic CBs. Three representative species of different trophic levels in marine ecosystems (Aliivibrio fischeri, bacteria; Phaeodactylum tricornutum, algae, primary producers; Paracentrotus lividus, echinoderms, consumers) were tested. The effects of natural ageing of CBs due to exposure to atmospheric conditions (natural sunlight vs. simulated rain) and for different times (1 vs. 2 weeks) were evaluated. The results were weighted together to obtain a synthetic hazard level to the environment (Class of Hazard) from Sediqualsoft®. Classic CBs (CCBs) performed the worst and posed a mild to moderate risk compared to electronic CBs (absent Class of Hazard). Smoked classic CBs posed a higher environmental risk than unsmoked. The highest risk was produced by classic CBs after one week of exposure in dry weather. Echinoderms and the body size reduction in normo-formed (72 h) plutei were shown to be the more sensitive organism and endpoint, respectively. We recommend the use of Sediqualsoft® software for risk assessment studies of sediments contaminated with contaminants of various types, especially in conjunction with a weight of evidence approach (WOE).

Effect of cigarette butt on concentration of heavy metals in landfill leachate: health and ecological risk assessment

Cigarette butt is known as hazardous waste with numerous toxic and carcinogenic pollutants which impose serious concern for both the environment and human. Heavy metals are recognized as the most common pollutant in the cigarette butts. The concentration of some heavy metals (cadmium, chromium, nickel, lead and zinc) in leachate obtained from the pilot landfill with commingled waste and freshly smoked cigarettes butts were analyzed. The results showed that the addition of 0.76% (in weight) freshly smoked cigarette butts in landfilled waste increased total heavy metal concentration by 4.8%, while addition of 1.3% (in weight) freshly smoked cigarette butts leads to increased 3.72% of total heavy metals concentrations. An increased 10.52% and 3.43% health risk values were found from the leachate of the landfill pilot, where 1% freshly smoked cigarette butt and a littered cigarette were added, respectively. Overall, it can be concluded that cigarette butt landfilling is not recommended for management of this type of waste and is necessary to be replaced with less hazardous ways such as recycling.

Challenges on the recycling of cigarette butts

Cigarette butt (CB) is a crucial litter in urban communities because it may contain various toxicants. Due to serious limitations on incinerating or landfilling CB, recycling of this hazardous waste is essential. The objective of this study was to investigate the most important challenges in CB collection and recycling. To this end, a search was done on Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science by defining a search protocol and identifying appropriate keywords. At the end of the screening process, 52 appropriate papers were selected. In this review, all methods for the CB recycling were considered. This review showed that nine categorizations of different products have been produced from the recycling of CBs, but three important challenges were identified for the recycling of this hazardous waste. It should be noted that finding solutions to these challenges may be helpful in better management of CB as a toxic litter.

Aquatic toxicity of waterpipe wastewater chemicals

INTRODUCTION

The recent increase in U.S. popularity and use prevalence of water pipe (WP) tobacco smoking raises concerns about the potential environmental impacts of WP waste disposal and the need for strategies to reduce such impacts. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is required to assess the environmental impacts of its tobacco regulatory actions per the U.S. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The purpose of this study was to identify and quantify specific chemical constituents in WP wastewater and to determine their potential aquatic toxicity.

METHODS

Using a modified Beirut smoking regimen, five different WP charcoal brands (n = 70) and ten WP tobacco brands (n = 35) were smoked separately using a WP smoking machine in which smoke was passed through the WP base water. We analyzed and quantified specific chemical constituents in the WP bowl wastewater through standardized U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Hazardous Waste Test Methods. We then characterized the ecological hazard for acute and chronic aquatic toxicity posed by the specific chemicals through compilations of Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) and hazardous concentration values (concentration affecting 50% of the species).

RESULTS

Among the list of 31 specific chemicals analyzed, we detected 22 and 11 chemicals in wastewater from WP tobacco and WP charcoal smoking, respectively. Nearly half of the 22 WP wastewater chemicals were classified as "very toxic" or "toxic" for acute and chronic aquatic toxicity per GHS classification. The most hazardous compounds with acute and chronic toxicity in aquatic organisms include acrolein, acrylonitrile, and metals (cadmium, lead, chromium, nickel, cobalt) found in both WP tobacco and charcoal wastewater, and N-nitrosonornicotine, nicotine, crotonaldehyde and selenium were additionally found in WP tobacco wastewater. All the identified chemicals are considered harmful or potentially harmful constituents in tobacco products and tobacco smoke per FDA's list, and seventeen of them represent hazardous waste per EPA's list.

CONCLUSION

Our study expands the identification and quantifies several WP wastewater chemical constituents. It characterizes the ecological hazard of these chemicals and identifies chemicals of concern, aiding our evaluation of the environmental impacts of WP waste products. Our results add to the existing evidence that WP wastewater is a source of toxins that could affect water quality and aquatic organisms, and bioaccumulate in the environment if disposed of into public sewers, on the ground, or in an onsite septic system. These findings highlight the importance of concerted efforts to raise awareness of appropriate WP waste disposal practices in both retail and residential settings, and applicable regulatory compliance requirements for WP retailer establishments, thereby limiting hazards from WP wastewater.

Insights into Equilibrium and Adsorption Rate of Phenol on Activated Carbon Pellets Derived from Cigarette Butts

In the present work, the preparation of activated carbon pellets from cigarette butts by thermal treatment was evaluated. The morphological, textural, topological, and surface chemical properties were studied by SEM-EDX, N2 adsorption, Raman, and FTIR spectroscopy. For adsorption assays, activated carbon was tested for the adsorption of phenol as a model molecule at different solution pH, temperature, and type of water. In addition, leaching tests before and after carbonization were conducted to evaluate the lixiviation of ions present in the solid. The results revealed a microporous material, composed of cylindrical fibers (thickness of 13 µm) with a microporous area of 713 m2/g and narrow and uniform slit-shaped pores (0.4–0.8 nm). The surface chemistry analysis evidenced the presence of oxygenated groups (carboxylic, esters, and phenolics). Activated carbon leaching tests indicated that the concentrations of the leached ions did not exceed the maximum permissible limit for drinking water. Phenol adsorption revealed an exothermic process with a maximum adsorption capacity of 272 mg/g at 10 °C. Finally, it was confirmed that phenol diffusion was drastically affected by hindered phenomena due to the similarity in the molecular size of phenol and the average size of micropores, and as a result an effective diffusion coefficient between 6.10 × 10−0 and 5.50 × 10−12 cm2/s and a maximum tortuosity value of 3.3 were obtained.

Assessment of littered cigarette butt in urban environment, using of new cigarette butt pollution index (CBPI)

Cigarette butts (CBs) are hazardous wastes usually littered by smokers and are of the prevalence wastes in the environment. Although various studies have been done regarding the quantity of CBs on the coast, few studies have been conducted on its density and distribution in urban areas. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the quantity and distribution of CBs in urban areas to define an index to convert the results into comparable data in various conditions and cities. The data were obtained by visual surveys using field CB counts in the summer of 2019 in the city of Qazvin, Iran. Cigarette butt pollution index (CBPI) was defined by considering CB density, weather conditions, urban characteristics including the structure of the walkways, and distance from groundwater. The findings indicated that the average cigarette butts density in urban areas were found to be in range of 0.01 and 0.51. Spatial variation of CB was observed in the city due to urban characteristics like land use, differences in municipal services, and population density. The CBPI index calculated for a park showed the highest number whereas an administrative (official) area had the lowest CBPI of 0.15. Given the significant pollution of the city studied with CBs and the proper performance of CBPI in classifying various parts of the city, using this method and index can be a good way to assess CBs in the streets of most of the cities.

Environmental fate of cigarette butts and their toxicity in aquatic organisms: A comprehensive systematic review

Cigarette butts (CBs) are the most frequently littered pieces of environmental wastes which are released both directly and indirectly into the environment and finally may reach aquatic environments and contaminate aquatic biomes. However, to date, there is no comprehensive review on the extent and magnitude of the potential effects of CBs on aquatic organisms. Hence, a systematic review of published studies was conducted in this paper to survey the fate of CBs in the aquatic environments and also the impacts of exposure to CBs on survival, growth, and reproduction of aquatic organisms. The gathered data showed that the leachates of CBs in the aquatic environment could extremely be toxic for various organisms and increasing the exposure time, increases the mortality rate. In addition, smoked filtered CBs with tobacco remnants have higher mortality rate compared to unsmoked filtered butts (USFs) for Hymenochirus curtipes, Clarias gariepinus, tidepool snails, Atherinops affinis and Pimephales promelas. The fate of CBs in the aquatic environments is affected by various factors, and prior to sinking they are floated for a long time (long distance). Hence, CBs and their associated toxic chemicals might be ingested by diverse aquatic organisms. However, further studies are necessary to understand the exact toxicity of CBs on different freshwater and marine organisms and also their fate in the aquatic media. The results of this review showed the essentiality of regulations to prevent the release of chemical and toxic compounds into the aquatic environments.

Effects of cigarette butts on marine keystone species (Ulva lactuca L. and Mytilus edulis L.) and sediment microphytobenthos

Outdoor mesocosms with constantly flowing natural seawater were used to test the effects of littered cigarette butts on the filter feeder Mytilus edulis (blue mussel), the macroalga, Ulva lactuca (sea lettuce) and sediment microphytobenthos in a semi-natural marine setting. Either conventional, cellulose acetate, or biodegradable, cellulose, smoked cigarette butts were added at densities of 0.25 or 1 butt L^-1. The clearance rates of mussels exposed to 1 butt L^-1 of cellulose acetate butts were three times less than the controls. The growth of U. lactuca was not measurably affected by cigarette butts, however the sediment chlorophyll content was significantly less in mesocosms exposed to 0.25 and 1 butt L^-1 of cellulose acetate butts. These effects occurred despite constant replacement of seawater indicating how hazardous conventional cigarette butts are to marine life. Biodegradable cellulose cigarette butts had minimal effects on the measured variables but should still not be discarded as litter.

Marine litter footprint in the Azores Islands: A climatological perspective

Marine litter (ML) consists of any item of anthropogenic origin that has been lost, discarded or intentionally disposed of into the environment, being acknowledged as a worldwide environmental and ecological threat. In the last decade, there has been an attempt across different sectors to tackle, reduce and mitigate sources of litter. In this study, meso and macrodebris between 2 and 30 cm was recorded and classified in two established study areas (Porto Pim and Conceição beaches), throughout five monitoring years (2012-2018). The litter abundance, density and weighted average by abundance were evaluated in eight main categories: plastics, cloths/fabrics, glass, metals, rubber, processed lumber, other and large. Field surveys provided evidence that plastic represented 95% of all litter. ML abundance was treated as an "environmental variable" and used to determine its anomalies, temporal trends and forecasts. Results from this time-series addressed possible periodic oscillations and density peaks of litter. Reference values of ML presence were obtained and could potentially be used for developing a diagnostic tool for anthropogenic pollution in the Azores.

Marine debris in the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, a remote oceanic marine protected area in tropical SW Atlantic

Marine debris is widespread worldwide, from coastal areas to remote protected oceanic islands. We assessed marine macro-debris on the shores of Fernando de Noronha, an archipelago 360 km off Brazil that encompasses no-take and multiple-use areas. The windward uninhabited coast, more exposed to oceanic currents and winds and inside a no-take area, presented higher abundance of plastic debris. The leeward coast, within the multiple-use urban area, presented more disposable plastics and cigarette butts. These patterns may be explained by the marine debris transportation by ocean currents to the windward side and by locally generated debris by the high quantity of beach users in the leeward coast. These results indicate that oceanographic characteristics and tourism infrastructure play important roles in the accumulation of marine debris in a protected archipelago. They also serve as a baseline for future monitoring initiatives and to improve strategies to tackle plastic pollution within this remote archipelago.

Toxicity of cigarette butts and possible recycling solutions-a literature review

Tobacco is a worldwide-consumed product, which in addition to causing public health-related issues is responsible for the most common form of litter in the world-smoked cigarette butts (CBs). A large attention has been drawn to this question, since this specific waste type tends to end up in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, posing serious threat to a range of life forms. Decomposition may take several years to occur because cellulose acetate is hardly accessible, before deacetylation, by bacteria and fungi. This review concerns the toxicity derived from smoked cigarette butts, as well as innovative ecological solutions for solving the CB litter problem. Toxicity studies have demonstrated the critical influence of chemicals present in smoked CBs to the environment as a whole, but also the physical contaminating potential considering micro- and nanoparticles derived from CB material. Nevertheless, several technological approaches were aimed at unveiling hidden value within used CBs, as well as propositions for incorporation of this residue in large volume production items or direct recycling. In summary, several methods are available to alleviate CB pollution, while appropriate and efficient collection logistics by consumers appears as the main bottleneck for an effective recycling. It is also clear that while considerable progress has been made recently in light of CB recycling solutions, there is still a vast research capacity in this regard.

UV-254 degradation of nicotine in natural waters and leachates produced from cigarette butts and heat-not-burn tobacco products

Nicotine is an important emerging contaminant widely detected in water resources. The main nicotine sources are human excretions from users and leaching from discarded tobacco product waste, which represents the most commonly littered item in urban areas and coasts. In this study, the UV₂₅₄ photolytical fate of nicotine in natural water and leachates produced from conventional cigarettes (CCs) and the new generation heat-not-burn (HnBs) tobacco products is examined for the first time. The effect of UV₂₅₄ irradiation on nicotine depletion in ultrapure water was initially studied. The reaction was pseudo first-order with respect to nicotine concentration at low concentrations and shifted to lower order at higher concentrations, an effect associated to absorption saturation. Although nicotine removal was fast, only 9.5% of the total organic carbon was removed after irradiation due to the formation of by-products. The chemical structures of six photo-products were derived by means of liquid and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The photodegradation kinetics was found to depend on pH and faster kinetics were recorded when the monoprotonated form of nicotine was dominant (pH = 5-8). The presence of humic acids was found to slightly delay kinetics as they competed with nicotine for lamp irradiance, whereas the presence of salt had no effect on the direct photolysis of nicotine. Direct photolysis studies were also performed using natural waters. Compared to ultra-pure water, photodegradation was found to proceed slightly slower in river water, in similar kinetics in seawater, and relatively faster in rain water. The later was assumed to be due to the lower pH compared to the rest of the natural water tested. Leachates from used HnBs and smoked CCs were also submitted to UV₂₅₄ irradiation and direct photolysis was found to proceed fast despite the high complexity of these matrices. Nonetheless, the total organic carbon in the system remained the same after irradiation due to the abundance of organics and photo-products formed. We take advantage of the present investigations and report the leaching behavior of nicotine from HnBs and CCs. Among others, we found that in HnBs ~70% of the total and bioavailable nicotine content remains in the tobacco sticks after operation and this percentage drops to 15% in CCs due to the reduction in mass after smoking. This finding demonstrated the importance of properly disposing tobacco product waste to prevent nicotine leaching in water bodies.

Marine litter on a highly urbanized beach at Southeast Brazil: A contribution to the development of litter monitoring programs

Seasonal distribution of Marine Litter (ML) on Santos beaches was assessed using a citizen science strategy. Plastics and cigarette butts (CB) were the dominant items in all sampling campaigns. Seasonal distribution did not result in significant differences for most items. Plastic and CB amounts were high in summer compared to autumn. For all sampled sites the presence of beach users influenced ML densities. However, results showed that some sites presented an additional influence of local hydrodynamic. Moderate amounts of hazardous items including metal, glass, CB, sanitary waste and plastic tubes used to pack and market illicit drugs represented between 20.8 and 31% of all ML over the seasons. The beaches of Santos were classified as dirty in autumn and spring and as extremely dirty in winter and summer. These findings can serve as a baseline to support mitigating actions by public authorities and start monitoring programs of ML not only in Santos but also in other urbanized beaches.

Abundance and Distribution of Cigarette Butts on Coastal Environments: Examples from Southern Spain

Litter on beaches is one of the most difficult problems in coastal management and every year, much efforts and public money are invested to try to alleviate and solve the problem. Cigarette butts (CB) are among the most widespread abandoned personal items in the world. In Spain, they are found on all types of beaches, where they are discarded by beach users; however, rivers and streams can also deposit CB on shores. This paper analyses the abundance of CB on different beaches in Southern Spain in order to address and better understand this relevant environmental problem and propose sound solutions to decrease or eliminate their presence. The main factors favouring CB accumulation were identified, namely the seasonality and number of beach users, beach typology (remote, rural, village or urban sites), type of beach sediment and methods and frequency of cleaning operations. Mean and median CB abundance values per 100 m of beach length, calculated from all the data used in this study, were 159 and 68 items, respectively. The largest number of CB were observed at urban sites, followed by village, rural and remote beaches. Further, sand beaches registered higher values of CB than cobble or pebble beaches.

Composition and abundance of macrolitter along the Italian coastline: The first baseline assessment within the european Marine Strategy Framework Directive

The main objective of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) was to achieve a Good Environmental Status (GES) in European waters by 2020, according to 11 descriptors. Descriptor 10 is related to marine litter and envisages that the properties and quantities of marine litter are at a level that does not cause harm to the coastal and marine environment. Even if GES was not achieved by 2020, the first MSFD implementation cycle filled many gaps in knowledge. Here we present the first data (2015-2018) on beach litter densities along Italian coasts and discuss lessons learnt and future perspectives. The beach litter median density was 477 items/100 m (interquartile range: 261-934 items/100 m), but subregional differences emerged both in terms of litter quantities and composition. The Adriatic Sea was the most polluted subregion (590 items/100 m), followed by the Western Mediterranean Sea (491 items/100 m) and the Ionian Sea and Central Mediterranean Sea subregion (274 items/100 m). A high presence of aquaculture-related litter (mainly mussel nets) characterised beaches in the Adriatic Sea. At the same time, the numbers of cotton bud sticks were extremely high in some beaches of the Western Mediterranean Sea. General litter (items discarded or left by the public on the coast or inland and carried by winds and rivers or objects originating from tourism and recreation at land or sea, poor waste management practices, etc.) was the most common litter typology (38.8%). The results of this study represent the first baseline to compare achievement towards GES in the next years and the efficacy of the program of measures which entered into force in 2016, concerning beach litter densities and composition. They also highlight the necessity of a joint effort for deploying harmonised marine litter monitoring methodologies across the European Member States to obtain comparable results.

No Butts on the Beach: Aquatic Toxicity of Cigarette Butt Leachate Chemicals

Objectives

Toxic pollutants leaching from littered cigarette butts (CB) raise environmental impact concerns. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is required to assess the environmental impacts of its tobacco regulatory actions per the US National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Methods

We determined the chemical constituents in CB leachate through analyses of 109 field-collected CB and literature compilation and characterized their ecotoxicity to aquatic organisms.

Results

One-third of the 98 identified CB leachate chemicals were very toxic and 10% were toxic to aquatic organisms due to acute and chronic toxicity. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, metals, phthalates, nicotine and volatile organic compounds were the most hazardous CB leachate chemicals for aquatic organisms. Of the 98 CB leachate chemicals, 25 are included in FDA's list of harmful or potentially harmful constituents in tobacco products and tobacco smoke.

Conclusions

Our study quantifies CB leachate constituents, characterizes their ecological hazard and identifies chemicals of concern. Thus, it aids in evaluating the environmental impacts of tobacco products per NEPA requirements. These results provide important information for strategies to prevent and reduce CB litter (eg, awareness programs, litter laws enforcement), thereby reducing environmental hazards from CB toxicants.

Fate of nanoplastics in the environment: Implication of the cigarette butts

Fate, transport and accumulation of nanoplastics have attracted considerable attention in the past few years. While actual researches have been focused on nanoplastics dispersed or aggregated in different environmental system, no study have been focused on the possibility that nanoplastics are co-transported with other natural or anthropogenic materials. Therefore, the large quantity of debris released in the environment, such as cigarette butts (CGB), could be part of the nanoplastics fate and behavior. Here we show the considerable sorption capacities of cigarette filters for nanoplastics. To address this topic, we chose polystyrene-based nanoplastics with similar state of charge (according to the physico-chemical characteristic of the zeta potential -45 to -40 mV) but with different sizes (50-800 nm) and morphologies. A kinetic approach to sorption in fresh water (pH = 8.05; 179.5 μS cm^-1) at room temperature was carried out by means of the flow field flow analysis method (AF4) to determine the partition coefficients and water sampling rates between nanoplastics and cigarette butts. Using different models of, more or less environmentally relevant, nanoplastics (NPTs) and adequate analytical strategies, we found partition coefficients between the NPTs and CGBs ranged from 10² to 10⁴ in freshwater conditions. We demonstrated that the physical features of the NPTs (size and morphology) have an influence on the sorption behaviour. Asymmetrical shaped NPTs with broader size distribution seems to be mostly retained in the CGBs after longer equilibration time. This result shows the importance of the NPTs features on the mechanisms governing their transfer and fate in the environment through environmental matrices, especially when other materials are involved. We anticipate our work to be a starting point for investigating the co-transport of NPTs with other materials present in the environment (natural and anthropogenic).

First marine litter survey on beaches in Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, South Pacific: Using OSPAR protocol to inform the development of national action plans to tackle land-based solid waste pollution

The increasing abundance of marine litter is impacting the environment, human health and economies in the South Pacific. Small Islands Developing States are particularly affected by marine litter, primarily due to insufficient waste management systems. For the first time, marine litter was quantified and characterised on 13 beaches in Solomon Islands and Vanuatu in the South Pacific region using the OSPAR beach litter monitoring guidelines. A total of 1053 (±1017) and 974 (±745) items of litter per 100 m beach were recorded in Solomon Islands and Vanuatu respectively. Litter composition and distribution show that the majority of the litter comes from local land-based sources and large quantities of fragments and single use plastics were found by cities and river mouths. Actions to reduce single use plastic, improve collection, reuse and recycling, together with outreach campaigns would reduce marine litter significantly in these countries. Furthermore, there is great potential to develop a more circular economy to manage the substantial quantities of recyclable items that were found stranded on the beaches.

Characterization of plastic beach litter by Raman spectroscopy in South-western Spain

The characteristics and distribution of plastic litter were evaluated in October 2018 at 40 beaches along the coast of Cádiz Province, in Spain. A total of 14,261 plastic items, appertaining to 57 litter groups, were identified along the study area at different beach zones, i.e. at low tide water level (2%), along the foreshore (6%), at high tide water level (67%) and in the backshore area (25%). Plastic items have a great floatability, being this one of the main reasons for their proportional dominance among beach litter, especially in the wrack line. Hundreds of measurements were made of different items using Raman spectroscopy, an effective technique to determine the type of plastic. Cellulose acetate represented the most abundant material (79%) linked to cigarette butts, followed by polypropylene, 9% and polyethylene, 8%. The remaining were composed by polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate and polyvinyl chloride. Smoke related items were the most common in the study area, followed by film and hard pieces, cotton bud sticks, fishing strings, food wrappers, caps/lids and single-use plastics. Beach litter can be related to beachgoers but some categories can be attributed to fishing activities or wastewater discharges. Plastics cause a multitude of damages to the coastal ecosystem, due to their toxic components and adsorbed substances and their facility of fragmentation and dispersion. Principal objective is the compositional characterization of plastic beach litter items and their spatial variability. It is therefore important to avoid unnecessary consumption, promote recycling and use other materials that are less harmful to the environment.

Perspectives on Micro(Nano)Plastics in the Marine Environment: Biological and Societal Considerations

Marine litter is a global problem which has been negatively affecting the environment. Plastic materials are the most commonly found marine debris, with potential biological (not only for aquatic organisms but also for humans) as well as socio-economic impacts. Considering that it is an anthropogenic problem, society could play an important role to minimize it. Although a considerable amount of research has addressed the biological effects of plastics (micro(nano)plastics) on biota, few studies have addressed how scientific information is being transmitted to the public and the potential role of citizen environmental education. The current paper discusses known effects, researched topics and how scientific knowledge is currently being transmitted to the public.

The impact of tourism on marine litter pollution on Santa Marta beaches, Colombian Caribbean

Tourism is an important socioeconomic activity in coastal communities, which deteriorates marine-coastal ecosystem quality when poorly managed, increasing litter pollution on beaches during the main tourist seasons. This study aims to assess the tourism impact on litter pollution on eleven Santa Marta beaches, Colombian Caribbean. During high and low tourist seasons, people on the beaches were counted, macrolitter and microplastics were sampled, and perception surveys about litter on beaches were conducted. During the high tourist season, the number of people and macrolitter pollution increased, compared to the low tourist season. Plastics accounted for 30%-77% of macrolitter and microplastics ranged from 1 to 355 items/m². Respondents identified tourism as a main litter source and plastics as the most common litter type. All assessed beaches are impacted by tourism causing litter pollution, therefore, stronger controls, educational, and awareness strategies are needed to reduce litter pollution and prevent ecological and socioeconomic impacts.

Anthropogenic litter in freshwater environments - Study on lake beaches evaluating marine guidelines and aerial imaging

Studies on macroplastic pollution in freshwater systems are rare compared to the marine environment. Nevertheless, freshwater systems are worthy to be equally investigated as they are pathways of plastic to the ocean and lakes may act as (temporary) sinks. The aim of this study was to identify sources for plastics and influences on its distribution in a limnic environment. Anthropogenic litter (>5 mm) was monitored semi-annually over a three-year period at four sandy bank border segments of Lake Tollense in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany. The selected beaches represent different expositions and vary in their level of anthropogenic activity. Considering all six samplings, mean abundance of anthropogenic litter is 0.2 ± 0.1 items/m² or 130.9 ± 91.0 items/100 m beach length. The averaged mass of anthropogenic litter is 0.5 ± 1.0 g/m² or rather 218.7 ± 284.6 g/100 m. Plastic consistently is the predominate material (72%) and cigarette butts are the most found items. A higher pollution by anthropogenic litter is found at the end of tourist season unveiling the impact of anthropogenic activity on litter abundance. Additionally, litter transport via tributaries into the lake plays a role. Testing the detection of anthropogenic litter via aerial images taken by unmanned aerial vehicles resulted in good recovery rates when minimizing the flight height. Furthermore, the analysis of anthropogenic litter distribution displayed on the images showed litter accumulation areas at the border of sandy beach areas. The deployment of marine guidelines in a freshwater environment did work well, however, small changes in the protocol are suggested for future lake beach studies dealing with anthropogenic litter pollution.

The Way of Macroplastic through the Environment

With the focus on microplastic in current research, macroplastic is often not further considered. Thus, this review paper is the first to analyse the entry paths, accumulation zones, and sinks of macroplastic in the aquatic, terrestrial, and atmospheric environment by presenting transport paths and concentrations in the environment as well as related risks. This is done by applying the Source–Pathway–Receptor model on macroplastic in the environment. Based on this model, the life cycle of macroplastic is structurally described, and knowledge gaps are identified. Hence, current research aspects on macroplastic as well as a sound delimitation between macro- and microplastic that can be applied to future research are indicated. The results can be used as basic information for further research and show a qualitative assessment of the impact of macroplastic that ends up in the environment and accumulates there. Furthermore, the applied model allows for the first time a quantitative and structured approach to macroplastic in the environment.

A global assessment of the relationship between anthropogenic debris on land and the seafloor

Pollution of coastal and marine environments by mismanaged anthropogenic debris is a global threat requiring complex, multilateral solutions and mitigation strategies. International efforts to catalogue and quantify the density, extent and nature of mismanaged waste have not yet assessed the heterogeneity of debris between nearby areas. Better understanding of how debris types and density can be used as a proxy between regions and between land and seafloor habitats at a global scale can aid in developing cost effective and representative debris monitoring systems. Using volunteer collected clean-up and survey data, we compared the proportion and density of both total debris and specific items across 19,428 coastal land and seafloor sites from International Coastal Cleanups and Dive Against Debris surveys, from 86 countries between 2011 and 2018. We show that although some items common on land are also common on the seafloor, there is an overall global mismatch between debris types and densities on land and the seafloor from nearby areas. Correlations in land/seafloor debris type/density occurred primarily for items which entangle and/or sink, including fishing line, plastic bags, glass and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles. Minimal similarity between land and seafloor surveys occurs for items which float or degrade. We suggest that to accurately evaluate local debris density, land and seafloor surveys are required to gain a holistic understanding. When detailed information on debris type, relative concentration, and likely source and transport are assessed, more cost effective and efficient policy interventions can be designed and implemented from local through to global scales.