Fate of floating plastic debris released along the coasts in a global ocean model

Type Article
Date 2021-04
Language English
Author(s) Chenillat Fanny1, Huck Thierry2, Maes Christophe1, Grima Nicolas2, Blanke Bruno2
Affiliation(s) 1 : Laboratoire d'Océanographie Physique et Spatiale (UMR 6523 LOPS), Univ Brest, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, IUEM, Plouzané, France
2 : Laboratoire d'Océanographie Physique et Spatiale (UMR 6523 LOPS), Univ Brest, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, IUEM, Plouzané, France
Source Marine Pollution Bulletin (0025-326X) (Elsevier BV), 2021-04 , Vol. 165 , P. 112116 (13p.)
DOI 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112116
WOS© Times Cited 30
Keyword(s) Marine debris, Microplastics, Lagrangian analysis, Ocean surface pathways, Coastal pollution, Ocean connectivity
Abstract

Marine plastic pollution is a global issue, from the shores to the open ocean. Understanding the pathway and fate of plastic debris is fundamental to manage and reduce plastic pollution. Here, the fate of floating plastic pollution discharged along the coasts is studied by comparing two sources, one based on river discharges and the other on mismanaged waste from coastal populations, using a Lagrangian numerical analysis in a global ocean circulation model. About 1/3 of the particles end up in the open ocean and 2/3 on beaches. The input scenario largely influences the accumulation of particles toward the main subtropical convergence zones, with the South Pacific and North Atlantic being mostly fed by the coastal population inputs. The input scenario influences the number of beached particles that end up in several coastal areas. Beaching occurs mainly locally, although a significant number of particles travel long distances, allowing for global connectivity.

Full Text
File Pages Size Access
13 14 MB Access on demand
9 51 MB Access on demand
Author's final draft 44 70 MB Open access
Top of the page