| Abstract: | An 18-month study of six Louisiana beaches determined the extent, composition, and possible sources of beach litter. Data showed that from 2590 to 23,154 items may be encountered along any one-mile stretch of Louisiana beach, depending upon location and season, and that densities of litter ranged from 5 to 28 items per 100 m2. Plastics constituted 47% of the total, followed by polystyrene at 16% and glass at 10%. Drink-related items accounted for 40% of the identifiable material; operational wastes, 21%; galley wastes, 15%; personal items, 11%; and fishing items, 6%. Litter laws already exist at state and federal levels. Strict enforcement of Annex V of MARPOL should significantly reduce plastic beach litter. Solutions to beach litter will come from public participation in adopt-a-beach programs and statewide clean-ups and from educational programs focusing on existing laws, proper disposal methods, recycling, and the threat litter poses to wildlife and public health. |
| Genre: | Conference Paper |
| ProdID: | 70015302 |
| Citation Author: | Lindstedt, Dianne, M.; Holmes, Jr. , Joseph, C. |
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| Citation End Page: | 1310 |
| Citation Issue: | pt2 |
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| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | Coastal Zone: Proceedings of the Symposium on Coastal and Ocean Management |
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| Citation Number Of Pages: | 14 |
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| Citation Publisher: | Publ by ASCE |
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| Citation Search Results Text: | Debris is not a cheese: litter in coastal Louisiana; 1989; Conference Paper; Coastal Zone: Proceedings of the Symposium on Coastal and Ocean Management; Lindstedt, Dianne, M.; Holmes, Jr. , Joseph, C. |
| Citation Start Page: | 1297 |
| Citation Volume: | 2 |
| Citation Year: | 1989 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Debris is not a cheese: litter in coastal Louisiana; 1989; Conference Paper; Coastal Zone: Proceedings of the Symposium on Coastal and Ocean Management; Lindstedt, Dianne, M.; Holmes, Jr. , Joseph, C. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| Date Other: | Sun, 1 Jan 1989 00:00 -0600 |
| Publisher: | Publ by ASCE |
