Oceanographic and anthropogenic variables driving marine litter distribution in Mediterranean protected areas: Extensive field data supported by forecasting modelling
Type | Article | ||||||||||||
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Date | 2023-12 | ||||||||||||
Language | English | ||||||||||||
Author(s) | Galli Matteo1, Baini Matteo1, 2, Panti Cristina1, 2, Giani Dario1, Caliani Ilaria1, Campani Tommaso1, Rosso Massimiliano2, 3, Tepsich Paola2, 3, Levati Vanessa3, 4, Laface Federica5, 6, Romeo Teresa7, 8, Scotti Gianfranco8, Galgani Francois9, Fossi Maria Cristina1, 2 | ||||||||||||
Affiliation(s) | 1 : Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy 2 : NBFC, National Biodiversity Future Center, Palermo, Italy 3 : CIMA Research Foundation, 17100 Savona, Italy 4 : Department of Biology, University of Napoli Federico II, 80138 Napoli, Italy 5 : Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy 6 : Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 98167 Messina, Italy 7 : Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, 98057 Milazzo, Italy 8 : ISPRA, Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, 98057 Milazzo, Italy 9 : IFREMER, Unit RMPF, Vairao, Tahiti, French Polynesia |
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Source | Science Of The Total Environment (0048-9697) (Elsevier BV), 2023-12 , Vol. 903 , P. 166266 (16p.) | ||||||||||||
DOI | 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166266 | ||||||||||||
WOS© Times Cited | 2 | ||||||||||||
Keyword(s) | Microplastics, Marine litter sources, Pelagos Sanctuary, Oceanographic factors, Spatial risk assessment | ||||||||||||
Abstract | Marine litter concentration in the Mediterranean Sea is strongly influenced both by anthropogenic pressures and hydrodynamic factors that locally characterise the basin. Within the Plastic Busters MPAs (Marine Protected Areas) Interreg Mediterranean Project, a comprehensive assessment of floating macro- and microlitter in the Pelagos Sanctuary and the Tuscan Archipelago National Park was performed. An innovative multilevel experimental design has been planned ad-hoc according to a litter provisional distribution model, harmonising and implementing the current sampling methodologies. The simultaneous presence of floating macro- and microlitter items and the potential influences of environmental and anthropogenic factors affecting litter distribution have been evaluated to identify hotspot accumulation areas representing a major hazard for marine species. A total of 273 monitoring transects of floating macrolitter and 141 manta trawl samples were collected in the study areas to evaluate the abundance and composition of marine litter. High mean concentrations of floating macrolitter (399 items/km2) and microplastics (259,490 items/km2) have been found in the facing waters of the Gulf of La Spezia and Tuscan Archipelago National Park as well in the Genova canyon and Janua seamount area. Accordingly, strong litter inputs were identified to originate from the mainland and accumulate in coastal waters within 10–15 nautical miles. Harbours and riverine outfalls contribute significantly to plastic pollution representing the main sources of contamination as well as areas with warmer waters and weak oceanographic features that could facilitate its accumulation. The results achieved may indicate a potentially threatening trend of litter accumulation that may pose a serious risk to the Pelagos Sanctuary biodiversity and provide further indications for dealing with plastic pollution in protected areas, facilitating future management recommendations and mitigation actions in these fragile marines and coastal environments. |
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