Naslov
A harmonized and coordinated assessment of the abundance and composition of seafloor litter in the Adriatic- Ionian macroregion (Mediterranean Sea)

Autori
Fortibuoni, Tomaso ; Ronchi, Francesca ; Mačić, Vesna ; Mandić, Milica ; Mazziotti, Cristina ; Peterlin, Monika ; Prevenios, Michael ; Prvan, Mosor ; Somarakis, Stelios ; Tutman, Pero ; Bojanić Varezić, Dubravka ; Kovač Viršek, Manca ; Vlachogianni, Thomais ; Zeri, Christina

Izvornik
Marine pollution bulletin (0025-326X) 139 (2019), 2; 412-426

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
Seafloor litter, Single-use plastic, Mussel nets, Trawl survey, Scuba visual survey, EU plastics strategy

Sažetak
Marine litter is a threat to marine life and an economic burden for coastal communities, but efforts to address the issue are hampered by the lack of data for many countries. We performed the first harmonized assessment of seafloor litter (trawl and visual surveys) in six countries of the Adriatic-Ionian macroregion. Seafloor litter showed an uneven distribution throughout the area, with large differences in litter densities and composition among countries and locations. An emerging problem in the area resulted in short-term & single-use objects that represented the largest fraction of litter. Packaging was the economic sector contributing most to seafloor litter on the continental shelf and upper slope, while in some areas aquaculture (mussel farming) represented a key activity producing marine litter. In coastal areas and bays (e.g. Boka Kotorska bay, Montenegro), seafloor litter was mainly related to construction activities and electronic goods, which are a consequence of fly-tipping/illegal dumping.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Biologija, Interdisciplinarne prirodne znanosti

POVEZANOST RADA