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Macrolitter accumulation in tidal marsh wrack deposits in a large estuary
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Scientists studying the Chesapeake Bay found that marsh areas near cities are collecting huge amounts of plastic trash—mostly bottles and food packaging—washed in by tides, with the worst buildup happening close to population centers. This matters because these marshes are important coastal ecosystems, and as this trapped plastic breaks down over time, it likely releases microplastics into the water and food chain, meaning the fish and shellfish we eat could be absorbing pollution from poorly managed waste upstream.
Wrack refers to debris deposited along the upper intertidal zone by waves and tides. In the past, wrack consisted mainly of natural debris, but modern wrack includes anthropogenic macrolitter (AML). When AML is abundant, wracks become pollution hotspots that threaten ecosystem functioning. Here, we assess AML abundance, composition, and sources in wrack deposits from 27 tidal-marsh sites in the Chesapeake Bay estuary (USA) and examine relationships with surrounding urban pressure and marsh conditions. Marsh wrack deposits in the estuary are dominated by wood, Phragmites , and marine macrophyte debris. AML abundance and mass range from 56 to 4481 items km −1 and 0.9 to 254 kg km −1 of wrack, with highest values in the inner estuary. Both variables decrease with increasing distance from main population centers. Marshes with higher vegetation density index also have high AML pollution. Most AML (93.5%) is positively buoyant, predominantly made of plastic (90%), and small (2–25 cm: 74.5%). Items are mainly plastic bottles and fragments, with a lifetime of <1-year. Older bottles (4 to >10 years-old) dominate the inner estuary, whereas newer bottles (<1 year-old) dominate the outer estuary. Food-consumption (38.9%) and fisheries (6.2%) related items are most prevalent. Over half of the AML comes from land-based sources, with >60% resulting from poor waste management. Marsh wrack deposits act as important accumulation zones for urban-derived AML, with high potential ecosystem impacts. Therefore, the inner estuary and its wrack deposits must be given priority for further research on AML transport, deposition, and carbon-related effects, and mitigation actions. • Buoyant anthropogenic macrolitter (AML) is abundant in marsh wrack deposits across all estuary. • AML accumulation is highest in marsh wrack deposits of the inner estuary. • Urban proximity and vegetation density enhance AML pollution in wrack deposits. • Wrack deposits act as sentinel indicators of AML pollution hotspots in tidal marshes. • The inner estuary and wrack deposits should be prioritized for AML research and mitigation.
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Data of Macrolitter accumulation in tidal marsh wrack deposits in a large estuary
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Researchers catalogued macrolitter found in tidal marsh wrack deposits across the Chesapeake Bay, documenting item types, sources, and provenance to support ongoing investigation into how plastic litter affects carbon cycling and blue carbon storage in coastal wetlands.
Data of Macrolitter accumulation in tidal marsh wrack deposits in a large estuary
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