Anthropogenic marine litter on the north coast of Cyprus: Insights into marine pollution in the eastern Mediterranean. (April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Özden, Özge; Yıldırım, Sinem; Fuller, Wayne J.; Godley, Brendan J.
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 165(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-04
• Subjects: Marine debris -- Coastal pollution -- Plastic litter -- Mediterranean -- Cyprus; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112167
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: The eastern Mediterranean is a region that has been relatively understudied with regards to anthropogenic marine litter despite potential for environmental and social costs. Here, coastal marine litter accumulation was assessed at eight beach locations along the coast of Northern Cyprus. Monthly surveys were performed between January 2017 and January 2019. All items ≥ 2.5 cm in diameter within the same 250 m 2 plot were collected and processed. A total of 59, 556 separate items were collected with a total mass of 697 kg. At the worst affected site (Ronnas Bay) litter accumulation averaged 1114 items and 11.9 kg per month. Plastic and polystyrene litter accounted for 82% (622.71 kg) of all litter types by mass and 96% (57, 231) by frequency. Plastic bags, plastic pieces, drinks containers, caps/lids were the four most abundant forms of plastic by mass and by frequency. This suggests dumping/poor domestic waste governance as the main driver of marine litter in the region. Highlights: Cyprus possesses some of the most litter polluted beaches in the Mediterranean. Plastic litter constitutes 96% of all litter collected over a 2-year period. Drinks containers, plastic bags and plastic bottle tops were the 3 most numerous identifiable items found.