Characterization of foamed plastic litter on Danish reference beaches – Pollution assessment and multivariate exploratory analysis. (July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Feld, Louise; da Silva, Vitor Hugo; Strand, Jakob
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 180(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-07
• Subjects: Foamed plastic -- PUR -- Foamed polystyrene -- Beach litter -- Polymer identification -- FTIR analysis; 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.2022.113774
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: Foamed litter comprise a significant amount of the pollution at beaches globally. This group represents a variety of foamed items and fragments originating from different applications and sources. Although foamed plastic contributes importantly to the marine environmental pollution, there is generally limited knowledge of the composition of this litter pool. The aim of this study was to characterize item types and polymer materials of foamed litter from six Danish reference beaches during the period 2018–2021. The foamed litter were classified into ten categories, including identifiable items, as well as fragments of foamed PS, or pieces of other foamed polymers of rigid or flexible sponges. Foamed PS (42%) and PUR (49%) were identified as the dominant polymers by FTIR analysis. Multivariate exploratory analysis was performed to investigate PUR foam, and specific spectra features for rigid and flexible foam were demonstrated. Furthermore, we assessed different correlation methods for identification of PUR foams. Highlights: The majority of the foamed litter pool consisted of different PU or PS fragments. More detailed source characterization of foamed plastic litter on beaches is needed. FTIR spectra for rigid and flexible PUR foams show distinct profiles. Polymer composition of the foamed plastic litter was identified by FTIR analysis. Using a reference library including weathered spectra improved HQI scores.