Rivers as a source of marine litter – A study from the SE Pacific |
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| Institution: | 1. Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Católica del Norte, Larrondo 1281, Coquimbo, Chile;2. Colegio San Adrián de Quilicura, Lo Ovalle 275, Quilicura, Santiago, Chile;3. Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Zonas Áridas (CEAZA), Larrondo 1281, Coquimbo, Chile;4. Millennium Nucleus Ecology and Sustainable Management of Oceanic Island (ESMOI), Coquimbo, Chile;5. Facultad de Ciencias, Departamento de Ecología, Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción, Alonso de Ribera 2850, Concepción, Chile;1. Department of Science and Environmental Studies, The Hong Kong Institute of Education, 10 Lo Ping Road, Tai Po, Hong Kong, China;2. Department of Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Institute of Education, 10 Lo Ping Road, Tai Po, Hong Kong, China |
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| Abstract: | Composition and abundance of persistent buoyant litter (plastics, polystyrene and manufactured wood) were investigated at riversides and on adjacent coastal beaches of four rivers flowing into the SE Pacific Ocean. Persistent buoyant litter made up the main share of litter at riversides (36–82%) and on coastal beaches near the river mouths (67–86%). The characteristic litter composition of each river is attributable to human influences along its course. Riverine litter items were deposited to both sides of the river mouths on coastal beaches, and their abundance generally declined with distance from the river mouth. However, maximum litter accumulations were often found on beaches north of the river mouth, suggesting a long-term influence of the prevailing equatorward low-level jet along the Chilean coast. The results confirm that riverine transport has an important impact on litter abundances on coastal beaches. |
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| Keywords: | Riverine litter Litter composition Litter abundance Marine beaches Riversides |
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