Composition, spatial distribution and temporal evolution of marine litter on the Spanish Mediterranean seafloor were assessed. The data derive from Spanish MEDITS surveys over 11 years and were analysed by GIS. A total amount of 2197.8 kg of litter was collected. Marine litter (by weight) was composed of plastics (29.3%), clinker (28.4%), wood (10.2%), metal (9.7%) and glass (6.2%). Its density varied among Areas (Alboran Sea > Valenciana >Alboran Island > Tramontana). For the last 11 years, the marine litter has remained stable or decreases in some case. The information provided by this study is a useful baseline to study such debris on the Spanish seafloor. The MEDITS survey has proven to be an appropriate monitoring tool, also of use to assess future control measures.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.09.051 | DOI Listing |
Sci Rep
January 2025
Computer Science Department, Faculty of Computing and Information Technology, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
With the global population surpassing 8 billion, waste production has skyrocketed, leading to increased pollution that adversely affects both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Public littering, a significant contributor to this pollution, poses severe threats to marine life due to plastic debris, which can inflict substantial ecological harm. Additionally, this pollution jeopardizes human health through contaminated food and water sources.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Total Environ
January 2025
Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Italy; NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy.
The Mediterranean basin is the second largest global biodiversity hotspot in the world, which coexists with a plethora of anthropogenic stress. This study examines the risks that marine litter poses to Mediterranean biodiversity, using the Special Protection Area of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMI) "Pelagos Sanctuary" as a case study. In this paper, a new survey method and data analysis strategies to assess the impact of marine litter, including microplastics, on Mediterranean organisms, is proposed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMar Pollut Bull
January 2025
IGNOU Regional Centre, Trivandrum, Kerala 695 008, India.
An increasing amount of plastic litter and derelict fishing gear in the global oceans poses significant threats to corals and reef-associated marine biota. In this context, an underwater marine litter survey was conducted along the fringing coral reefs in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands- a remote archipelago in the Bay of Bengal, Northern Indian Ocean. The result revealed entanglement and smothering of coral colonies by plastic and derelict fishing gear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnviron Pollut
January 2025
Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung City, Taiwan. Electronic address:
Marine litter and microplastics (MPs) represent pressing environmental challenges. However, the impact of marine litter on airborne MPs near marine litter hotspot remains unexplored. In this study, we simultaneously collected airborne MPs, weather factors, and air pollutants in a village near a marine litter hotspot across different seasons in Taiwan.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMar Pollut Bull
January 2025
Department of Civil & Energy System Engineering, Kyonggi University, Suwon 16227, South Korea. Electronic address:
Plastic contamination is a major issue for marine ecosystems, with macro-litter posing a growing threat globally. This study assesses macro-marine litter on Vung Tau beaches, Southern Vietnam, providing baseline data for marine litter pollution and identifying critical action plans for plastic control. Survey results showed litter density ranging from 0.
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