Sources, composition and spatial distribution of marine debris along the Mediterranean coast of Israel

Marine Pollution Bulletin
By: , and 

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Abstract

Marine debris (litter) is a complex problem that affects human activities and the marine environment worldwide. The Clean Coast Program in Israel has had some success in keeping most of the coasts clean most of the time, but without understanding the mechanisms of accumulation of marine debris on the coasts of Israel. In 2012, we initiated a study to characterize the types of marine debris, its origins and spatial distribution. Nineteen surveys were done from June 2012 to March 2015 on eight beaches that spanned the coast of Israel. Average debris density was 12.1 items per 100 m2 and 90% of the items were plastic. The top debris categories were food wrappers and disposables, plastic bags and cigarette butts. However, there was variation in the top debris categories among the beaches indicating that a flexible approach with multiple options will be important when addressing the marine debris problem.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Sources, composition and spatial distribution of marine debris along the Mediterranean coast of Israel
Series title Marine Pollution Bulletin
DOI 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.11.023
Volume 114
Issue 2
Year Published 2017
Language English
Publisher Elsevier
Contributing office(s) Coop Res Unit Leetown
Description 10 p.
First page 1036
Last page 1045
Country Israel
Other Geospatial Mediterranean coast
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