Editorial: Impact of marine debris on marine ecosystems and organisms

Article Environmental Sciences

Vertical distribution, accumulation, and characteristics of microplastics in mangrove sediment in China

Lingyun Yu et al.

Summary: This study investigates the vertical distribution and characteristics of microplastics in sediment cores from six representative mangroves in China. The abundance of microplastics increases exponentially from bottom to surface sediments, mainly comprising white, fiber-shaped particles of sizes ranging from 1000 to 5000 μm.

SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT (2023)

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Article Engineering, Environmental

Fate and Effects of Macro- and Microplastics in Coastal Wetlands

Xiaoguang Ouyang et al.

Summary: Coastal wetlands serve as traps for plastics, but little is known about the stocks and impacts of plastics in these areas. We conducted a comprehensive evaluation of plastic abundance in coastal wetlands, finding that the abundance of plastics in sediment and the ingestion by marine animals far exceeds that in the water column. The abundance of plastics varies across different types of coastal wetlands and is influenced by climate, geography, seasons, and population density or waste management. Plastic ingestion by fish increases with size and weight. Microplastics have negative effects on biota abundance and mangrove survival but positive effects on sediment nutrients, leaf drop, and carbon emission. It is crucial to include microplastics in assessing the health and degradation of coastal wetland ecosystems.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (2022)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Characteristics and patterns of marine debris in the Chinese beach-sea continuum

Xiaoguang Ouyang et al.

Summary: The amount of marine debris and plastic pollution has been dramatically increasing in the environment. The study shows that the density of marine debris and plastics on beaches and seafloors is significantly higher than that on sea surfaces. The density of small-to-medium floating debris is over 100 times higher than that of large floating debris. The proportion of plastics in marine debris is higher on sea surfaces than on beaches, but not significantly different from that on seafloors. There are significant relationships between the density of debris on seafloors and that on beaches, as well as between the density or accumulation density of debris on seafloors and that on sea surfaces.

FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE (2022)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Entanglement of Cape fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus) at colonies in central Namibia

S. Curtis et al.

Summary: The study investigated entanglement rates, common materials, and demographics of Cape fur seals affected in two Namibian colonies. A total of 366 entanglement cases were identified, with a global rate of 0.17%. Juveniles were most commonly affected, with fishing materials being the primary cause of entanglements. Citizens scientists played a significant role in contributing 51% of the total entanglement data.

MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN (2021)

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Article Environmental Sciences