Beach litter in the European Arctic: Accumulation patterns, likely sources and pathways

Area of Science:

• Marine pollution
• Environmental science
• Arctic research

Background:

• Beach litter poses a growing threat to Arctic ecosystems.
• Understanding litter sources is crucial for effective mitigation strategies.
• Previous studies have highlighted varying pollution levels across Arctic regions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and compare beach litter accumulation patterns in the European Arctic.
• To identify the primary sources of beach litter in the studied regions.
• To correlate litter density with regional maritime activities.

Main Methods:

• Beach litter sampling was conducted on the Norwegian mainland, Novaya Zemlya, and Svalbard.
• Litter density was quantified using the Clean Coast Index.
• Analysis of Automatic Identification System (AIS) tracks was used to assess nearshore fishing vessel activity.

Main Results:

• The Norwegian mainland coast, particularly Finnmark county, exhibited significantly higher litter pollution than Novaya Zemlya and Svalbard.
• Over half of surveyed Norwegian beaches exceeded the "very clean" threshold, compared to less than 20% elsewhere.
• Mean litter density on Norwegian beaches was 8 items/m, substantially higher than 0.6-1.2 items/m in other areas.
• Litter composition indicated a predominance of local sources, with packaging materials from Norway and Russia being prevalent.
• Observed litter patterns correlated with regional fishing vessel activities.

Conclusions:

• The Norwegian mainland is a hotspot for beach litter pollution in the European Arctic.
• Local maritime activities, especially fishing, are the main contributors to beach litter.
• Effective litter management strategies should focus on reducing maritime-based pollution in regional waters.