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Occurrence of marine plastic litter and plasticizers from touristic beaches of Arauco Gulf in Central Chile

  • 0Facultad de Ingeniería, Arquitectura y Diseño, Universidad San Sebastián, 4030000, Chile.
Marine Pollution Bulletin +

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June 17, 2024

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June 17, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Marine plastic litter (MPL) in Chile

Area Of Science

  • Environmental Science
  • Marine Biology
  • Chemical Oceanography

Background

  • Marine plastic litter (MPL) is a growing global environmental concern.
  • Understanding the characteristics and composition of MPL is crucial for effective management.
  • Coastal areas in Chile are susceptible to plastic pollution, yet data remain limited.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To characterize marine plastic litter found on beaches in the Arauco Gulf, central Chile.
  • To analyze the physical and chemical properties of collected plastic debris.
  • To identify plasticizers present in the marine plastic litter.

Main Methods

  • Collection of marine plastic litter from three beaches in the Arauco Gulf during spring 2021 and summer 2022.
  • Analysis of physical characteristics including item count, weight, density, shape, size, and color.
  • Chemical characterization using Fourier-transform infrared-attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) to identify polymer types and screen for plasticizers.

Main Results

  • A total of 317 plastic items weighing 226.8 g were recovered, with densities ranging from 0.4 to 17.1 items/m².
  • MPL density was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in summer compared to spring, approximately tenfold.
  • Polypropylene (52%) and polyethylene (31%) were the dominant polymers; solid macroplastics (>2.5 cm) in white and blue colors were most frequent.
  • Three plasticizers (dioctyl phthalate, polybutene, and alpha-methylstyrene) were detected for the first time in MPL from this region.

Conclusions

  • This study provides novel insights into the abundance, characteristics, and chemical composition of marine plastic litter in central Chile.
  • Seasonal variations significantly impact MPL accumulation on Arauco Gulf beaches.
  • The identification of specific plasticizers highlights potential risks associated with chemical leaching from marine plastic debris.

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