Rivers as a source of marine litter – A study from the SE Pacific
Sabine Recha b c, V. Macaya-Caquilpána d, José F. Pantojaa e, Marcelo M. Rivadeneiraa f g, David Jofré Madariagaa h, Martín Thiela f i✉
- aFacultad Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Católica del Norte, Larrondo 1281, Coquimbo, Chile
- bWestfälische Wilhelmsuniversität Münster, Fachbereich Biologie, Schlossgarten 3, 48149 Münster, Germany. Electronic address: s_rech01@uni-muenster.de
- cWestfälische Wilhelmsuniversität Münster, Fachbereich Biologie, Schlossgarten 3, 48149 Münster, Germany
- dFacultad Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Católica del Norte, Larrondo 1281, Coquimbo, Chile. Electronic address: vmacaya.c@gmail.com
- eFacultad Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Católica del Norte, Larrondo 1281, Coquimbo, Chile. Electronic address: jpantoja@ucn.cl
- fCentro de Estudios Avanzados en Zonas Áridas (CEAZA), Av. Ossandón 877, CP. 1781681 Coquimbo, Chile
- gFacultad Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Católica del Norte, Larrondo 1281, Coquimbo, Chile. Electronic address: marcelo.rivadeneira@ceaza.cl
- hFacultad Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Católica del Norte, Larrondo 1281, Coquimbo, Chile. Electronic address: djofremadariaga@gmail.com
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Abstract
Composition and abundance of persistent buoyant litter (plastics, polystyrene and manufactured wood) were investigated at riversides and on adjacent coastal beaches of four rivers flowing into the SE Pacific Ocean. Persistent buoyant litter made up the main share of litter at riversides (36-82%) and on coastal beaches near the river mouths (67-86%). The characteristic litter composition of each river is attributable to human influences along its course. Riverine litter items were deposited to both sides of the river mouths on coastal beaches, and their abundance generally declined with distance from the river mouth. However, maximum litter accumulations were often found on beaches north of the river mouth, suggesting a long-term influence of the prevailing equatorward low-level jet along the Chilean coast. The results confirm that riverine transport has an important impact on litter abundances on coastal beaches.