Marine litter in the upper São Vicente submarine canyon (SW Portugal): Abundance, distribution, composition and fauna interactions. | - CCMAR -

Journal Article

TítuloMarine litter in the upper São Vicente submarine canyon (SW Portugal): Abundance, distribution, composition and fauna interactions.
Publication TypeJournal Article
AuthorsOliveira, F, Monteiro, P, Bentes, L, Henriques, NSales, Aguilar, R, Gonçalves, JMS
Year of Publication2015
JournalMar Pollut Bull
Volume97
Questão1-2
Date Published2015 Aug 15
Pagination401-7
ISSN1879-3363
Palavras-chaveAnimals, Aquatic Organisms, Ecosystem, Environmental Monitoring, Portugal, Water Pollution
Abstract

Marine litter has become a worldwide environmental problem, tainting all ocean habitats. The abundance, distribution and composition of litter and its interactions with fauna were evaluated in the upper S. Vicente canyon using video images from 3 remote operated vehicle exploratory dives. Litter was present in all dives and the abundance was as high as 3.31 items100m(-1). Mean abundance of litter over rock bottom was higher than on soft substrate. Mean litter abundance was slightly higher than reported for other canyons on the Portuguese margin, but lower in comparison to more urbanized coastal areas of the world. Lost fishing gear was the prevalent type of litter, indicating that the majority of litter originates from maritime sources, mainly fishing activity. Physical contact with sessile fauna and entanglement of specimens were the major impacts of lost fishing gear. Based on the importance of this region for the local fishermen, litter abundance is expected to increase.

DOI10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.05.060
Sapientia

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26051154?dopt=Abstract

Alternate JournalMar. Pollut. Bull.
PubMed ID26051154