Distribution and typologies of anthropogenic seafloor litter in the Pearl River Estuary and adjacent coastal waters, China

Mingqiao He; Fei Tian; Xiaohui Zhai; Kai Zhou; Linbao Zhang; Xiangyu Guo; Zhenzhao Tang; Haigang Chen

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116505

Distribution and typologies of anthropogenic seafloor litter in the Pearl River Estuary and adjacent coastal waters, China

Mar Pollut Bull. 2024 May 20:203:116505. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116505. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Mingqiao He¹, Fei Tian², Xiaohui Zhai³, Kai Zhou³, Linbao Zhang², Xiangyu Guo³, Zhenzhao Tang⁴, Haigang Chen⁵

Affiliations

¹ College of Fisheries and Life, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; Key Laboratory of Marine Ranching, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of South China Sea Fishery Resource and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fishery Ecology and Environment, Scientific Observation and Research Field Station of Pearl River Estuary Ecosystem, Guangdong Province, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Science, Guangzhou 510300, China.
² Key Laboratory of Marine Ranching, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of South China Sea Fishery Resource and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fishery Ecology and Environment, Scientific Observation and Research Field Station of Pearl River Estuary Ecosystem, Guangdong Province, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Science, Guangzhou 510300, China.
³ Shenzhen Marine Development & Promotion Center, Shenzhen 518000, China.
⁴ Key Laboratory of Marine Ranching, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of South China Sea Fishery Resource and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fishery Ecology and Environment, Scientific Observation and Research Field Station of Pearl River Estuary Ecosystem, Guangdong Province, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Science, Guangzhou 510300, China. Electronic address: tangzhenzhao@scsfri.ac.cn.
⁵ Key Laboratory of Marine Ranching, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Scientific Observing and Experimental Station of South China Sea Fishery Resource and Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Fishery Ecology and Environment, Scientific Observation and Research Field Station of Pearl River Estuary Ecosystem, Guangdong Province, South China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Science, Guangzhou 510300, China. Electronic address: hgchenes@scsfri.ac.cn.

PMID: 38772172
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116505

Abstract

Marine litter pollution poses a significant threat to offshore ecosystems, eliciting widespread concern. We investigated seafloor litter patterns in the Pearl River Estuary and adjacent coastal waters of China in 2023 via bottom trawl survey. Average number and weight densities were found to be 154.34 ± 30.95 n/km² and 2384.63 ± 923.98 g/km², respectively. Plastic was the most abundant material by number density (79.07 %), and rubber the highest by weight density (22.93 %). Overall number density varied from 40.50 ± 22.50 to 221.13 ± 52.44 n/km², with the highest in Daya Bay and the lowest in Guanghai Bay. Weight density varied from 189.93 ± 71.94 to 5386.70 ± 3050.30 g/km², with the highest in Qiao Island and the lowest in Honghai Bay. The main source was plastic bags and wrappers. The Pearl River Delta and Daya Bay were identified as seafloor litter distribution hotspots. Controlling plastic waste input is crucial for reducing seafloor litter in the Pearl River Estuary.

Keywords: Marine pollution; Pearl River Estuary; Plastic waste; Seafloor litter.