An exploratory analysis of seabed litter dynamics in the SE German Bight
The accumulation of marine litter on coastal seabeds is influenced by various anthropogenic and environmental factors. To identify litter accumulation areas on the seafloor, it is necessary to understand the interaction of these parameters. This study analyses the seafloor litter occurrence in the s...
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Veröffentlicht in: | Marine pollution bulletin 2022-04, Vol.177, p.113515-113515, Article 113515 |
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Sprache: | eng |
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Zusammenfassung: | The accumulation of marine litter on coastal seabeds is influenced by various anthropogenic and environmental factors. To identify litter accumulation areas on the seafloor, it is necessary to understand the interaction of these parameters. This study analyses the seafloor litter occurrence in the southeastern North Sea, based on samples collected between October 2017 and March 2019. Litter data were combined with hydrographic, high-resolution in situ measurements and further geographic as well as anthropogenic factors for statistical analyses. Benthic litter showed a mean density of 2473 ± 3116 items km−2, and plastics consisting mainly of fisheries-related items represented the majority of identified objects. The statistical analyses suggest that salinity and temperature gradients, the meridional bottom currents, as well as the distance of the station to the coastline have a significant effect on benthic litter abundance. Direct combination of litter sampling and hydrographic measurements can improve the understanding of seabed litter dynamics.
•Litter samples showed a widespread abundance with a mean density of 2473 items km−2.•Plastics represented the bulk of litter with many fisheries-related items.•Hydrodynamic parameters significantly affected the abundance of benthic litter.•Anthropogenic variables had no effect on the abundance of benthic litter.•Salinity gradients have the most significant effect on seafloor litter occurrence. |
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ISSN: | 0025-326X 1879-3363 |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113515 |