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Environment: Uncovering the global extent of plastic pollution in water
Evidence for widespread plastic contamination of coral reefs and freshwater lakes is presented in two papers published in Nature this week. The reef study finds that larger fragments (mostly debris from the fishing industry) make up most of the plastic found, and these macroplastics are especially abundant in deep reefs. The assessment of freshwater lakes and reservoirs reveals that all assessed bodies of water were contaminated with microplastics.
Plastic pollution caused by humans is an emerging threat to water systems. Although a problem at a global scale, levels of pollution are highly influenced by regional and local factors, meaning that a comprehensive dataset is required to properly inform mitigation and management strategies.
Hudson Pinheiro and colleagues surveyed global reefs for macroplastics (larger than 5 cm) and other debris in reefs across 84 study sites globally, including the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Ocean basins. They studied both shallow (less than 30 m deep) and deep (30–150 m) reefs, the latter of which are less well-documented. Debris was found in 77 of the 84 sites, with macroplastics accounting for 88% of the debris found. Levels of macroplastics were highest in the deep reefs. In most surveyed areas, fishing vessels were identified as the main source of plastic, such as lines and discarded traps.
In an independent study, Veronica Nava and colleagues sampled the surface waters of 38 lakes and reservoirs in 23 countries mainly concentrated in the Northern Hemisphere. They found microplastics (larger than 250 μm) in all sample sites. Lakes and reservoirs in close proximity to densely populated human settlements and those with large surface areas had the largest concentrations of plastic contamination. Lakes with small surface areas had a higher percentage of polyester fibres, whereas larger and deeper lakes tended to be dominated by fragments of polypropylene and polyethylene. Textile fibres, an established major source of plastic contamination, were also found in remote areas with little human presence.
Together, the two studies demonstrate the widespread contamination of water bodies with plastic debris, and underscore the urgent need for coordinated, systematic monitoring of plastic pollution.
