RT journal article
T1 Comments on Marine Litter in Oceans, Seas and Beaches: Characteristics and Impacts.
A1 Anfuso Melfi, Giorgio
A1 Lynch, K.
A1 Williams, A.T.
A1 Perales Vargas-Machuca, José Antonio
A1 Pereira da Silva, C.
A1 Nogueira-Mendes, R.
A1 Maanan, M.
A1 Pretti, C.
A1 Pranzini, E.
A1 Winter, C.
A1 Verdejo, E.
A1 Ferreira, M.
A1 Veija, J.
A2 Tecnologías del Medio Ambiente
AB Marine litter is observed along shorelines, pelagic, benthic marine and lakesystems all around the globe. On beaches, litter creates aesthetic and related economicproblems because a clean beach is one of the most important characteristics of aseaside resort required by visitors. Litter can reach the marine environment from marineor land activities but it is estimated that 80% originates from land-based sources.The marine-based sources of litter include all types of sea-going vessel and offshoreinstallations, the most abundant plastic debris in the oceans being derelict (lost orimproperly discarded) fishing gear. Most of marine litter is composed by plastics dueto their greater durability and persistence, combined with plastic rising productionand low rates of recovery. Special importance is linked to microplastics becausetheir ubiquity, persistence, mechanical effects on biota and the ecosystem because ofingestion by organisms and their toxic potential. As plastics degrade they can releasetoxic chemicals initially incorporated during their manufacturing or persistent organicpollutants and heavy metals sorbed to their surfaces in the environment. Such toxinscan disrupt endocrine functions and cause harmful reproductive and developmentaleffects in aquatic animals.
YR 2015
FD 2015
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10498/19685
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10498/19685
LA eng
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Cádiz
RD 12-nov-2026