Quantification and morphological characterization of plastic litter (0.30–100 mm) in surface waters of off Colombo, west coast of Sri Lanka

Athawuda, A. M. G. A. D; Jayasiri, H.B.; Thushari, G.G.N.; Guruge, K. P. G. K. P.

doi:10.1007/s10661-020-08472-2

Cited by 25 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 63 publications

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“…On the southern Californian coast, the average debris density level was approximately 18 times higher during a storm compared to the normal situation ( Lattin et al., 2004 ). In the western coastal water of Sri Lanka, an island in the Indian Ocean, the mean density of total plastic was recorded as 140.34±13.99 No.m −3 by number of items (count), during August–November 2017 (end of south-west monsoon), mainly by the sources of tourism and fishing activities ( Athawuda et al., 2018 ).…”

Section: Plastic Accumulation Sourcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The density of microplastic is increasing in all oceans worldwide ( Thompson et al., 2009 ). Microplastic debris is possible in accumulating in biotic components, seawater, sediments, and coastline ( Athawuda et al., 2018 ; Thushari et al., 2017a ; Zarfl et al., 2011 ) (Tables 2 and 3 , Figures 2 and 3 ). Lightweight, low-density plastics float in the water, and high-dense particles sink into the benthic system's bottom sediments.…”

Section: Effects Of Plastic Accumulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Lightweight, low-density plastics float in the water, and high-dense particles sink into the benthic system's bottom sediments. There are literature records on contamination of microplastic particles in sub-tidal and inter-tidal ecosystems and marine and coastal surface water ( Athawuda et al., 2018 ; Ng and Obbard, 2006 ; Collignon et al., 2012 ; Browne et al., 2011 ). The size of microplastic fragments is similar to the size of feeding matter, such as planktons and suspended particles ( Wright et al., 2013 ).…”

Section: Effects Of Plastic Accumulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(2016) Río de la Plata Estuary 139 items 100 m −3 Pazos et al. (2018) West Coast-off Colombo, Sri Lanka 0.67 ± 0.14 mg/m 3 and140.34 ± 13.99 items/m 3 Athawuda et al. (2018) Southern coasts, Sri Lanka 18.06 ± 11.45 items/m³ Athapaththu et al.…”

Section: Effects Of Plastic Accumulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Plastic pollution in the marine environment

Thushari

Senevirathna

2020

Heliyon

560

139

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Plastic pollution is recognized as a severe anthropogenic issue in the coastal and marine ecosystems across the world. Unprecedented and continuous accumulation of growing plastic contaminants into any respective aquatic ecosystem by the anthropogenic sources causes direct and/or indirect interruption to ecosystem structure, functions, and consequently, services and values. Land-based and sea-based sources are the primary sources of these contaminants in various modes that enter the ocean. In this review paper, we focused on highlighting different aspects related to plastic pollution in coastal and marine environments. Plastic pollutants are distributed in the ecosystems in different forms, with different size variations as megaplastic, macroplastic, mesoplastic, and microplastic. Microplastics in primary and secondary forms reveal a widespread distribution in the water, sediment, and biota of the marine and coastal habitats. The microplastic level of different coastal and marine ecosystems nearly ranged from 0.001-140 particles/m 3 in water and 0.2-8766 particles/m 3 in sediments at different aquatic environments over the world. The microplastic accumulation rate of coastal and marine organisms varied at 0.1-15,033 counts. Accordingly, plastic pollution creates several kinds of negative consequences combined with ecological and socio-economic effects. Entanglement, toxicological effects via ingestion of plastics, suffocation, starvation, dispersal, and rafting of organisms, provision of new habitats, and introduction of invasive species are significant ecological effects with growing threats to biodiversity and trophic relationships. Degradation (changes in the ecosystem state) and modifications of marine systems are associated with loss of ecosystem services and values. Consequently, this emerging contaminant affects the socio-economic aspects through negative impacts on tourism, fishery, shipping, and human health. Preventing accumulation sources of plastic pollutants, 3Rs (Reduce-Recycle-Reuse), awareness & capacity building, and producer/manufacturer responsibility are practical approaches toward addressing the issue of plastic pollution. Existing and adopted policies, legislations, regulations, and initiatives at global, regional, and national level play a vital role in reducing plastic debris in the marine and coastal zones. Development of proposals/solutions on key research gaps can open a novel pathway to address this environmental issue in an effective scientific manner. In conclusion, this paper demonstrates the current status of plastic pollution in the marine ecosystem to make aware people of a plastic-free, healthy blue ocean in the near future.

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Section: Plastic Accumulation Sourcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Effects Of Plastic Accumulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Effects Of Plastic Accumulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Effects Of Plastic Accumulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Plastic pollution in the marine environment

Thushari

Senevirathna

2020

Heliyon

560

139

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“…The first evidence of microplastic contamination in Sri Lanka was recorded in 2017 in beach sand from Negombo (Ranatunga and Karunarathna, 2018). Since then, Sri Lanka is progressing forward with various microplastic studies conducted in western and southern coasts (Ranatunga and Karunarathna 2018;Koongolla et al 2018;Weerakoon et al 2018;Viraj et al 2019), in the Kelani river estuary (Thakshila and Ranatunga 2019), in coastal waters (Weerakoon et al 2019;Athapaththu et al 2019;Meegahakotuwa et al 2020;Athawuda et al 2020), in sessile invertebrates (Wijethunga et al 2018) and Marine Protected Areas (Dharmadasa et al 2019). The present study was started in 2016 as the pioneer effort in microplastics research in order to test the contamination of microplastics in Sri Lankan coasts.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microplastics in beach sand and potential contamination of planktivorous fish <em>Sardinella gibbosa</em> inhabiting in coastal waters of Negombo, Sri Lanka

Ranatunga

Wijetunge

Karunarathna

2021

Sri Lanka J. Aquat.

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Microplastic pollution has become the most significant marine environmental concern. There has been a surge of information on microplastic contamination in various marine environments worldwide. However, the level of microplastic contamination in marine environments is just begun to understand in Sri Lanka. The present study looked at the microplastic contamination level in the beach sand of Pitipana, Catamaran, and Dūwana beaches along the coast of Negombo, Sri Lanka. Sampling was conducted bi-monthly from March to November in 2017. Beach sand samples were collected from the surface (0-1cm) and subsurface (10-11cm) layers and three regions representing the low-tide, high-tide, and vegetation line of each beach. Sand samples were filtered through 5mm and 1mm sieve-set, and particles greater than 5mm were discarded since they are not considered microplastics. Particles retained in 1mm sieve and the filtrate were collected separately. Microplastics were density separated and categorized into two size classes as 1-5mm and smaller than 1mm. Microplastics in the 1-5mm size-class were categorized as fiber, foam, fragment, and pellet. Microplastics <1mm were subjected to FTIR spectroscopy and identified based on the polymer type. Further, goldstrip sardine, Sardinella gibbosa samples were obtained from the coastal waters of Pitipana and tested for possible microplastic contamination in commercial fishes. Results revealed that the Pitipana beach sand was highly contaminated with 1-5mm category microplastics reporting a mean abundance (±SD) value of 7.2±7.66 particles/m 3 by number compared to other sites. The fragment was the dominant type found in Catamaran and Dūwana beaches, while foam was the predominant type in Pitipana beach. However, pellets were not recorded in any of the sites sampled. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) was the major polymer type recorded in Pitipana beach sand, and polyester was dominant in Dūwana and Catamaran beaches. The FTIR spectra revealed the presence of polyethylene and polypropylene in gut contents of Sardinella gibbosa, suggesting contamination of microplastics in planktivorous fish and potential for accumulation along the trophic chain.

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Qualitative and Quantitative Assessment of Plastic Debris in the Coastal Eco System of Matara District, Sri Lanka

Weerasinghe

Jayathissa

et al. 2021

Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Disaster Risks

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Quantification and morphological characterization of plastic litter (0.30–100 mm) in surface waters of off Colombo, west coast of Sri Lanka

Cited by 25 publications

References 63 publications

Plastic pollution in the marine environment

Plastic pollution in the marine environment

Microplastics in beach sand and potential contamination of planktivorous fish <em>Sardinella gibbosa</em> inhabiting in coastal waters of Negombo, Sri Lanka

Qualitative and Quantitative Assessment of Plastic Debris in the Coastal Eco System of Matara District, Sri Lanka

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