An evaluative tool for rapid assessment of derelict vessel effects on coastal resources.

Derelict vessels impact coastal and estuarine habitats, fisheries resources, are aesthetically unappealing, and may be a hazard to navigation and recreation. The Government Accountability Office estimated in 2013 over 5600 derelict vessels existed throughout the coastal United States. Considering the large number of derelict vessels present in coastal areas, effective tools are needed to assess the environmental damage exerted by derelict vessels and aid in management strategies for their removal.

Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments: Insights into microplastic accumulation in northern Gulf of Mexico estuaries.

Microplastics (plastic debris smaller than 5mm) represent a growing concern worldwide due to increasing amounts of discarded trash. We investigated microplastic debris on sandy shorelines at seven locations in a northern Gulf of Mexico estuary (Mobile Bay, AL) during the summer of 2014. Microplastics were ubiquitous throughout the area studied at concentrations 66-253× larger than reported for the open ocean.