Anthropogenic marine debris accumulation and its ecological impact on the highly urbanized mangroves of Hong Kong.

Mangroves are recognized as a sink for plastic and other anthropogenic marine debris (AMD). The accumulation rates of AMD within these ecosystems, however, have not yet been assessed anywhere in the world. Here, we investigated the standing stock and accumulation rate of AMD at four of the most polluted mangroves in Hong Kong over one year, focussing on its ecological impact on the diversity and abundance of vegetation and benthic macrofauna.

Anthropogenic debris pollution in peri-urban mangroves of South China: Spatial, seasonal, and environmental drivers in Hong Kong.

Excessive mismanaged debris along tropical coasts pose a threat to vulnerable mangrove ecosystems. Here, we examined the spatial, seasonal and environmental drivers of anthropogenic debris abundance and its potential ecological impact in peri-urban mangroves across Hong Kong. Seasonal surveys were conducted in both landward and seaward zones, with identification, along belt transects, of macrodebris (>5 mm) based on material type and use.

Fate of plastic in the environment: From macro to nano by macrofauna.

Plastic ingestion has been widely investigated to understand its adverse harms on fauna, but the role of fauna itself in plastic fragmentation has been rarely addressed. Here, we review and discuss the available experimental results on the role of terrestrial and aquatic macrofauna in plastic biofragmentation and degradation. Recent studies have shown how biting, chewing, and stomach contractions of organisms shatter ingested plastic along their digestive tracts.