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Honorato-Zimmer D, Escobar-Sánchez G, Deakin K, De Veer D, Galloway T, Guevara-Torrejón V, Howard J, Jones J, Lewis C, Ribeiro F, Savage G, Thiel M. Macrolitter and microplastics along the East Pacific coasts - A homemade problem needing local solutions. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 203:116440. [PMID: 38718548 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
The East Pacific (EP) region, especially the central and southern EP, has been fairly less studied than other world's regions with respect to marine litter pollution. This comprehensive literature review (257 peer-reviewed publications) showed that both macrolitter (mostly plastics) and microplastics tend to accumulate on EP shorelines. Moreover, they were also reported in all the other compartments investigated: sea surface, water column, seafloor and 'others'. Mostly local, land-based sources (e.g., tourism, poor waste management) were identified across the region, especially at continental sites from low and mid latitudes. Some sea-based sources (e.g., fisheries, long-distance drifting) were also identified at high latitudes and on oceanic islands, likely enhanced by the oceanographic dynamics of the EP that affect transport of floating litter. Our results suggest that effective solutions to the problem require local and preventive strategies to significantly reduce the levels of litter along the EP coasts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gabriela Escobar-Sánchez
- Coastal and Marine Management Group, Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW), Seestraße 15, 18119 Rostock, Germany; Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, Universiteto Ave. 17, LT-92294, Klaipeda, Lithuania
| | - Katie Deakin
- Department of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Diamela De Veer
- Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo, Chile; Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Edgewater, MD, USA
| | - Tamara Galloway
- Department of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | | | - Jessica Howard
- Galapagos Conservation Trust, 7-14 Great Dover Street, London SE1 4YR, UK
| | - Jen Jones
- Galapagos Conservation Trust, 7-14 Great Dover Street, London SE1 4YR, UK
| | - Ceri Lewis
- Department of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | | | - Georgie Savage
- Department of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Martin Thiel
- Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo, Chile; Millennium Nucleus Ecology and Sustainable Management of Oceanic Island (ESMOI), Coquimbo, Chile; MarineGEO, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Edgewater, MD, USA.
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Incera M, Valbuena L, Falcón J, González EL, González-Porto M, Martín-García L, Martín-Sosa P, Gago J. Assessment of seabed litter at Concepción Seamount (Canary island) using a remotely operated towed vehicle. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 346:123654. [PMID: 38402933 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
The seafloor is recognised as a major sink for marine litter. However, studies conducted in this compartment addressing marine litter densities and its interactions with fauna are scarce, mainly due to sampling constraints. In this paper, we assess marine litter density, composition and interactions with marine communities and evaluate its relationship with fishing activities at the "Banco de la Concepción" seamount (Canary Islands, Spain). We took advantage of underwater video records taken with a Remotely Operated Towed Vehicle in the framework of the LIFE IP INTEMARES project. A total of 56 video transects were analysed covering about 9 km with 19 h of video recording. Transects were categorised as high, low, and null fishing effort based on the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) positional data registered between 2009 and 2017. Litter items were recorded in 70% of the transects with a mean density of 2122 (±2464) items km-2. There were significant differences in litter densities over the three levels of fishing pressure, with a density decrease from stations of high to stations of null fishing pressure. Regarding categories, plastic was by far the most abundant category found (83.1%), mainly consisting of fishing lines, both monofilaments and entangled longlines. The study of the interactions of marine litter with fauna showed that less than 20% of the items presented an interaction with benthic organisms either by causing or not a visible impact. The sponge Asconema setubalense accounted for more than half (57.4%) of all interactions, but only 5% of all A. setubalense specimens showed physical damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Incera
- Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo, Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO), CSIC, Subida a Radio Faro, 50, Vigo, 36390, Spain.
| | - L Valbuena
- Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo, Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO), CSIC, Subida a Radio Faro, 50, Vigo, 36390, Spain
| | - J Falcón
- Centro Oceanográfico de Canarias, Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO), CSIC, C/ Farola del Mar, 22, Dársena Pesquera, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 38180, Spain
| | - E L González
- Centro Oceanográfico de Canarias, Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO), CSIC, C/ Farola del Mar, 22, Dársena Pesquera, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 38180, Spain
| | - M González-Porto
- Centro Oceanográfico de Canarias, Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO), CSIC, C/ Farola del Mar, 22, Dársena Pesquera, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 38180, Spain
| | - L Martín-García
- Centro Oceanográfico de Canarias, Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO), CSIC, C/ Farola del Mar, 22, Dársena Pesquera, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 38180, Spain
| | - P Martín-Sosa
- Centro Oceanográfico de Canarias, Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO), CSIC, C/ Farola del Mar, 22, Dársena Pesquera, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 38180, Spain
| | - J Gago
- Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo, Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO), CSIC, Subida a Radio Faro, 50, Vigo, 36390, Spain
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Rangel-Buitrago N, Ochoa FL, Rodríguez RDB, Moreno JB, Trilleras J, Arana VA, Neal WJ. Decoding plastic pollution in the geological record: A baseline study on the Caribbean Coast of Colombia, north South America. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 192:114993. [PMID: 37167662 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
This study presents the first report of plastics in the geological record (rocks and formations composed of plastics) along the central Caribbean Coast of Colombia, northern coast of South America. These novel records of pollution include two rock types (plastiglomerates and quartz plastisandstones), two altered plastic types (pyroplastics and plasticrusts), two soil types (plasticlasts and anthrosols), and a series of artifacts (fossils) found near human settlements. All of them were analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Polyester, high-density polyethylene, and copolymers of alkyl acrylates or methacrylates were identified as the principal polymers forming these rocks. This research provides new insights into the petrology of these emerging new forms of pollution, for which humans are primarily responsible for their generation and distribution. Similarly, the results presented emphasize that plastics are generating a deluge of pollutants in terms of variety and volume, overwhelming natural environments globally. Controlling or even eliminating their use has become one of the most significant challenges of the 21st Century.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelson Rangel-Buitrago
- Programa de Física, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Atlántico, Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia.
| | - Felipe Lamus Ochoa
- Departamento de Física y Geociencias, Division de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia
| | - Rubén Darío Beltrán Rodríguez
- Departamento de Física y Geociencias, Division de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia
| | - Jose Brito Moreno
- Departamento de Física y Geociencias, Division de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia
| | - Jorge Trilleras
- Programa de Maestría en Ciencias Químicas, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Atlántico, Puerto Colombia, Atlántico, Colombia; Programa de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Atlántico, Puerto Colombia, Atlántico, Colombia
| | - Victoria Andrea Arana
- Programa de Maestría en Ciencias Químicas, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Atlántico, Puerto Colombia, Atlántico, Colombia; Programa de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Atlántico, Puerto Colombia, Atlántico, Colombia
| | - William J Neal
- Department of Geology, Grand Valley State University, The Seymour K. & Esther R. Padnos Hall of Science 213A, Allendale, MI, USA
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Vigo M, Navarro J, Aguzzi J, Bahamón N, García JA, Rotllant G, Recasens L, Company JB. ROV-based monitoring of passive ecological recovery in a deep-sea no-take fishery reserve. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 883:163339. [PMID: 37087018 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
In the context of marine conservation, trawl fishing activity is the most important ecosystem stressor in demersal Mediterranean waters. Limited management measures in bottom trawling have caused deep-sea stocks of the iconic Norway lobster Nephrops norvegicus to decrease over the last decade. This crustacean acts as an umbrella species for co-existing megafauna. Here, we used non-invasive Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) video-surveys to investigate the status of a pilot deep-sea no-take reserve implemented in the northwestern Mediterranean by quantifying demographic indicators of Norway lobsters and the co-existing benthic community, seafloor restoration, and the presence of marine litter. The results revealed that in the no-take reserve the Norway lobster stock showed higher abundance and biomass, and slightly larger body sizes than in the control area without fishing prohibition. Some taxa, such as the fishes Helicolenus dactylopterus and Trigla lyra and anemones of the family Cerianthidae, increased in abundance. We also observed that all trawling marks were smoothed and most of the seafloor was intact, clear indicators of the recovery of the muddy seafloor. The accumulation of marine debris and terrestrial vegetation was similar in the no-take reserve and the fished area. On the basis of the results of this study, we suggest that the use of no-take reserves might be an effective measure for recovering the Norway lobster stock, its co-existing megafauna community, and the surrounding demersal habitat. We also suggest that ROV video-survey might be a useful, and non-invasive method to monitor megafauna and seafloor status in protected deep-sea environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Vigo
- Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM), CSIC, Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Joan Navarro
- Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM), CSIC, Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jacopo Aguzzi
- Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM), CSIC, Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn (SZN), Naples, Italy
| | - Nixon Bahamón
- Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM), CSIC, Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Antonio García
- Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM), CSIC, Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Guiomar Rotllant
- Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM), CSIC, Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Recasens
- Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM), CSIC, Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan B Company
- Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM), CSIC, Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
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Rangel-Buitrago N, Neal W, Williams A. The Plasticene: Time and rocks. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 185:114358. [PMID: 36401945 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Plastics, "yesterday's hero... today's villain" or "the contemporary symbol of modernity," were invented in the early 20th century by Leo Hendrik Baekeland from macromolecules (resins, elastomers, and artificial fibres) of formaldehyde and phenol. This synthetic organic polymer took hold of daily human life and transformed the modern world with an ever-widening range of applications. Plastics are the third most-widely manufactured material in the world after cement and steel, and they have become widespread in our society with excessive production and consumption to meet demand. Plastics use is so dominant that they are inappropriately considered essential in the world consumers marketplace. Plastics are a clear indicator of the Anthropocene and can be considered the marker of the upper subdivision of this stage: the Plasticene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelson Rangel-Buitrago
- Programas de Física y Biologia, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Atlántico, Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia.
| | - William Neal
- Department of Geology, Grand Valley State University, The Seymour K. & Esther R. Padnos Hall of Science 213A, Allendale, MI, USA
| | - Allan Williams
- Faculty of Architecture, Computing and Engineering, University of Wales: Trinity Saint David (Swansea), SA1 6ED Mount Pleasant, Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom
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What Are Lake Beaches Made of? An Assessment of Plastic Beach Litter on the Shores of Como Bay (Italy). APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12115388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Plastic waste dispersion is a well-recognized environmental threat, despite continuous efforts towards improving waste disposal management over the last few decades. Plastic litter is known to strongly impact upon water bodies and shorelines, affecting the health of ecosystems and impacting upon the aesthetic value of sites. Moreover, plastic waste that is abandoned on beaches contributes towards different degradation processes that potentially lead to the formation of secondary microplastics (MPs), with likely cascade effects upon the whole ecosystem. In this view, this study aims to characterize the plastic beach litter found on the shores of the western basin of Como Lake (Italy) to better understand the origin of MPs in littoral sediments, including the recognition of object typologies and the chemical characterization of polymers using Fourier-transformed infrared analysis (FTIR). The results highlighted that the most abundant polymers on beaches are polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE), representing 73% of the collected polymers. This confirms that floating, low-density polymers are more likely to accumulate on beaches. Moreover, almost 66% of litter is represented by commonly used manufactured items (disposable objects, packaging, and everyday items). This evidence, combined with the analysis of the main environmental features of the sampling sites (the main winds, distance to urban areas, and the presence of tributaries) indicate that abundance of beached litter is mainly linked to beach accessibility and the local winds. These results highlight that multiple factors affect the environmental fate of plastic litter and give insights into the assessment of secondary microplastics in beach sediments.
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Rizzo A, Rangel-Buitrago N, Impedovo A, Mastronuzzi G, Scardino G, Scicchitano G. A rapid assessment of litter magnitudes and impacts along the Torre Guaceto marine protected area (Brindisi, Italy). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 173:112987. [PMID: 34601251 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This study focuses on assessing litter magnitudes along the Torre Guaceto Marine Protected Area (Brindisi, Italy). Collected litter was grouped into twenty different types and classified into four litter typologies according to the Guidance on Monitoring of Marine Litter in European Seas. All data were analyzed using an index-based approach that allowed the classification of a coastal stretch in terms of cleanliness, and presence of plastics as well hazardous items. The average litter abundance in the study area was 0.5 items/m2, being plastics the most common litter item. Hazardous litter items were found along the study area, reaching 21.3% of the total collected items. The application of environmental indices allowed to define the study area with a "moderate cleanliness" and a "moderate" presence of hazardous litter items. Sampled litter typologies and related magnitudes suggest a combination of sources that mainly include direct activities on the nearby coastal zones and river basins (dumping).
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Rizzo
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e Geoambientali, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy.
| | - Nelson Rangel-Buitrago
- Programas de Física - Biologia, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Atlántico, Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia
| | - Angelita Impedovo
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e Geoambientali, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Mastronuzzi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e Geoambientali, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Scardino
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e Geoambientali, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Scicchitano
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e Geoambientali, Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
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