Publications des scientifiques de l'IRD

van Gennip S. J., Dewitte Boris, Garcon V., Thiel M., Popova E., Drillet Y., Ramos M., Yannicelli B., Bravo L., Ory N., Luna-Jorquera G., Gaymer C. F. (2019). In search for the sources of plastic marine litter that contaminates the Easter Island Ecoregion. Scientific Reports - Nature, 9, p. art. 19662 [13 p.]. ISSN 2045-2322.

Titre du document
In search for the sources of plastic marine litter that contaminates the Easter Island Ecoregion
Année de publication
2019
Type de document
Article référencé dans le Web of Science WOS:000508904500002
Auteurs
van Gennip S. J., Dewitte Boris, Garcon V., Thiel M., Popova E., Drillet Y., Ramos M., Yannicelli B., Bravo L., Ory N., Luna-Jorquera G., Gaymer C. F.
Source
Scientific Reports - Nature, 2019, 9, p. art. 19662 [13 p.] ISSN 2045-2322
Subtropical gyres are the oceanic regions where plastic litter accumulates over long timescales, exposing surrounding oceanic islands to plastic contamination, with potentially severe consequences on marine life. Islands' exposure to such contaminants, littered over long distances in marine or terrestrial habitats, is due to the ocean currents that can transport plastic over long ranges. Here, this issue is addressed for the Easter Island ecoregion (EIE). High-resolution ocean circulation models are used with a Lagrangian particle-tracking tool to identify the connectivity patterns of the EIE with industrial fishing areas and coastline regions of the Pacific basin. Connectivity patterns for "virtual" particles either floating (such as buoyant macroplastics) or neutrally-buoyant (smaller microplastics) are investigated. We find that the South American shoreline between 20 degrees S and 40 degrees S, and the fishing zone within international waters off Peru (20 degrees S, 80 degrees W) are associated with the highest probability for debris to reach the EIE, with transit times under 2 years. These regions coincide with the most-densely populated coastal region of Chile and the most-intensely fished region in the South Pacific. The findings offer potential for mitigating plastic contamination reaching the EIE through better upstream waste management. Results also highlight the need for international action plans on this important issue.
Plan de classement
Sciences fondamentales / Techniques d'analyse et de recherche [020] ; Limnologie physique / Océanographie physique [032] ; Pollution [038] ; Ressources halieutiques [040]
Description Géographique
PACIFIQUE ; CHILI
Localisation
Fonds IRD [F B010077850]
Identifiant IRD
fdi:010077850
Contact