Marine Plastics

Question 1

Geyer et al 2017

Answer 1

in most sectors typical P products are used for 1-10yr

Question 2

Richardson et al 2022

Answer 2

~2% of all fishing gear and > 25 million pots + traps lost annually

Question 3

Jambeck et al 2015

Answer 3

~275 Mt plastic waste in 2010 by 6 billion people living in coastal countries, ~99 Mt generated in coastal regions, ~32 Mt mismanaged, ~5-13 Mt entered the ocean, mp debris effectively untraceable to source + very difficult to remove from open oceans

Question 4

UK figures 2010

Answer 4

67500t mismanaged plastic waste (4g/person/day), up 70 94000t by 2025

Question 5

Courtene-Jones et al 2017

Answer 5

Microplastic pollution >2200 m deep in N Atlantic Rockall Trough, 45% individuals of the 2 species ingested microplastics, ubiquitous for >40yr, hypothesize deep sea = final sink

Question 6

Foley et al 2018

Answer 6

results most strongly support mp -ve affect consumption, effects not consistent across studies, overall potential impact of mp pollution in oceans difficult to predict

Question 7

Lavers and Bond 2017

Answer 7

Henderson Island 2015, uninhabited and very remote but highest density of debris reported globally (sink?), min estimate of 17.6 tons of P debris, not including 68% buried <10cm, ~60% ingested 30% entangled, 10% smothering, lack of quant. data on accum. patterns hampers planning and mitigation

Question 8

Barnes et al 2018

Answer 8

many native faunal colonists of floating plastics, ‘platisphere’, plastic rafts = remote areas with little marine traffic and endemic species more vulnerable to invasion

Question 9

Rockman et al 2016

Answer 9

17 published studies, evidence of demonstrated impacts relative to perceived threats was sparse, 92% P deaths were @ individual level, macro debris caused the most effects, derelict fishing gear = -ve eco impact, bottles and jars +ve diversity and abundance