Analysis of global distribution status, composition and abundance of marine debris (with emphasis on plastics)

Mohammad Velayatzadeh¹ Hamidreza Ahmadi Heydari²

1) Master s student, Industrial Safety Department, Caspian Institute of Higher Education, Qazvin, Iran.
2) Bachelor s degree, Department of Industrial Safety and Work Environment Technology Engineering, University of Science and Art, Yazd, Iran.

IOI Code : XDHG-HCBAE
Publication : Green Management of Wastes and Biotechnology(gmbtuma.ir/2nd)
Abstract :
    Marine debris is commonly found everywhere in the oceans. Litter enters the seas from both land and sea sources, from ships and other facilities at sea, from point and diffuse sources, and can travel long distances before becoming stranded. Plastics are usually the most important part of marine debris. On the beaches, the density of 1 item of waste per square meter is often shown, but after events such as storms and floods or due to local conditions, the density of waste is very high. Marine debris ranges from 0 to over 600 items per square kilometer. In the seabed, the abundance of plastic debris depends on the location and with densities between 0 and 7700 items per square kilometer, mainly in coastal areas. On the other hand, the pollution of microplastics, particles less than 5 mm, have been spread on the surface of the oceans, in the water column and in the sediments, even in the deep sea, where the concentration in the water surface has varied from thousands to hundreds of thousands of particles per square kilometer. . The input of plastic waste varies widely with factors such as proximity to urban activities, shoreline and beach uses, wind direction and speed, and ocean currents. These factors enable the accumulation of plastics in the oceanic convergence zones and on the seabed, especially in the coastlines. Changes and distribution over time are not well defined with evidence for increase, decrease or no change depending on location and environmental conditions. In this article, an attempt is made to provide efficient management and reduction measures and composition of marine waste in terms of distribution and quantity.

Keywords : marine debris plastics beaches seabed microplastics