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Floating macroplastic pollution in Korean coastal and offshore areas

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) 2024
Won Joon Shim, Won Joon Shim, Yu Lee Jang, Soeun Eo, Jongwook Jeong, Jongwook Jeong, Gi Myung Han, Sung Yong Ha, Sung Yong Ha, Sang Hee Hong, Sang Hee Hong

Summary

Researchers conducted visual observation surveys of floating macroplastic debris larger than 2.5 centimeters in the South Sea and East Sea of Korea in 2022 and 2023, finding average densities of 119 items per square kilometer with statistically higher overall pollution levels in the South Sea.

Studies on microplastic pollution in South Korea's seas have been extensive, yet information regarding floating macroplastics larger than 2.5 cm remain scarce. To address this gap, visual observation surveys were conducted during a cruise in the South Sea of Korea in 2023 and the East Sea in 2022 and 2023. The aim was to investigate the level of pollution and characteristics of floating debris in the surface waters around South Korea. The density of floating debris varied from 9 to 1,191 n/km2, with an average of 119 ± 174 n/km2. The mean densities were similar in the South Sea (112 ± 63 n/km2) and East Sea (133 ± 284 n/km2), but the overall pollution level was statistically higher in the South Sea. Particularly, coastal areas exhibited significantly higher densities than offshore areas in the South Sea. Plastic items comprised 90 Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/559313/document

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