Harm caused by Marine Litter

Marine litter is a global concern with a range of problems associated to it, as recognised by the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). Marine litter can impact organisms at different levels of biological organization and habitats in a number of ways namely: through entanglement in, or ingestion of, litter items by individuals, resulting in death and/or severe suffering; through chemical and microbial transfer; as a vector for transport of biota and by altering or modifying assemblages of species. Marine litter is a threat not only to marine species and ecosystems but also carries a risk to human health and has significant implications to human welfare, impacting negatively vital economic sectors such as tourism, fisheries, aquaculture or energy supply and bringing economic losses to individuals, enterprises and communities. This technical report aims to provide clear insight about the major negative impacts from marine litter by describing the mechanisms of harm. Further it provides reflexions about the evidence for harm from marine litter to biota comprising the underlying aspect of animal welfare while also considering the socioeconomic effects, including the influence of marine litter on ecosystem services. General conclusions highlight that understanding the risks and uncertainties with regard to the harm caused by marine litter is closely associated with the precautionary principle. The collected evidence in this report can be regarded as a supporting step to define harm and to provide an evidence base for the various actions needed to be implemented by decision-makers. This improved knowledge about the scale of the harmful effects of marine litter will further support EU Member States (MSs) and Regional Seas Conventions (RSCs) to implement their programme of measures, regional action plans and assessments.JRC.D.2-Water and Marine Resource

A European threshold value and assessment method for macro litter on coastlines: Guidance developed within the Common Implementation Strategy for the Marine Strategy Framework Directive

The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD, 2008/56/EC) requires that European threshold values (TVs) for marine litter (descriptor 10) be defined. The MSFD Technical Group on Marine Litter (TG ML) decided to focus on coastline litter (Criterion 1), often referred to as beach litter, in a first step, since for this criterion a monitoring framework is in place and a substantial amount of fit-for-purpose beach litter monitoring data is available at the European scale (see Hanke et al., 2019). This report describes the rationale and method to obtain a European TV for beach litter, as developed by Member States and other experts within the TG ML. It was concluded by TG ML that a TV cannot be based on quantitative ecological and socio-economic harm due to a lack of scientific data on harm caused by marine litter on beaches. Of the remaining options, the use of the 10th percentile value of the total litter abundance dataset from all European beaches in the baseline period 2015-2016 was selected and applied, as it was considered to be sufficiently precautionary while being based on already available beach litter abundances in the EU. The underlying baseline dataset was developed within the TG ML. Calculation of the 10th percentile of the EU baseline dataset resulted in a value of 13 litter items per 100 m of coastline length. Further consideration of the 95% confidence intervals of the TV and assessment value, respectively, led to a final TV of 20 litter items/100 m beach length, which corresponds to the 15th percentile value of the EU baseline dataset. This TV is estimated by experts from TG ML to reduce harm from beach litter to a sufficiently precautionary level. The methodology acknowledges uncertainties in the underlying data which is considered in the proposal. The median assessment value is compared with this TV for compliance checking. It is acknowledged that achieving this TV will require substantial and sustained measures over a longer period. Intermediate targets over time towards the proposed TV are proposed to support the achievement of the TV.JRC.D.2-Water and Marine Resource

Enhancing public awareness and promoting co-responsibility for marine litter in Europe: The challenge of MARLISCO

Marine litter is a pervasive and complex societal problem but has no simple solution. Inadequate practices at all levels of production–use–disposal contribute to accumulation of waste on land and at sea. Enhanced societal awareness but also co-responsibility across different sectors and improved interactions between stakeholders are necessary. MARLISCO was a European initiative, which developed and implemented activities across 15 countries. It worked towards raising societal awareness and engagement on marine litter, through a combination of approaches: public exhibitions in over 80 locations; a video competition involving 2100 students; and a legacy of educational and decision-supporting tools. 12 national participatory events designed to facilitate dialogue on solutions brought together 1500 stakeholders and revealed support for cross-cutting, preventive measures. Evaluation during implementation shows that these activities are effective in improving individuals' perceptions about the problem but also commitment in being part of the solution. This paper summarises MARLISCO's approach and highlights a selection of outcomes

Guidance on Monitoring of Marine Litter in European Seas

This publication is a Reference Report by the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission.The MSFD Technical Subgroup on Marine Litter was tasked to deliver guidance so that European Member States could initiate programmes for monitoring of Descriptor 10 of the MSFD. The present document provides the recommendations and information needed to commence the monitoring required for marine litter, including methodological protocols and categories of items to be used for the assessment of litter on the Beach, Water Column, Seafloor and Biota, including a special section on Microparticles

Tobacco Smoke: Involvement of Reactive Oxygen Species and Stable Free Radicals in Mechanisms of Oxidative Damage, Carcinogenesis and Synergistic Effects with Other Respirable Particles

Tobacco smoke contains many toxic, carcinogenic and mutagenic chemicals, as well as stable and unstable free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the particulate and the gas phase with the potential for biological oxidative damage. Epidemiological evidence established that smoking is one of the most important extrinsic factor of premature morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to investigate oxidative and carcinogenic mechanisms of tobacco and synergistic action with other respirable particles in the respiratory system of smokers. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) and spin-trapping techniques were used to study stable free radicals in the cigarette tar, and unstable superoxide anion (O2•−) and hydroxyl (HO•) radicals in the smoke Results showed that the semiquinone radical system has the potential for redox recycling and oxidative action. Further, results proved that aqueous cigarette tar (ACT) solutions can generate adducts with DNA nucleobases, particularly the mutagenic 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (a biomarker for carcinogenesis). Also, we observed synergistic effects in the generation of HO•, through the Fenton reaction, with environmental respirable particles (asbestos fibres, coal dust, etc.) and ambient particulate matter (PM), such as PM10, PM2.5 and diesel exhaust particles (DEP). The highest synergistic effects was observed with the asbestos fibres (freshly grounded), PM2.5 and DEP. Finally, we discuss results from our previous study of conventional cellulose acetate filters and “bio-filters” with hemoglobin impregnated activated carbon, which showed that these filters do not substantially alter the free radical content of smoke in the particulate and in the gaseous phase

Meeting of the Ecosystem Approach Correspondence Group on on Pollution Monitoring (CorMon Pollution)

In accordance with the UNEP/MAP Programme of Work adopted by COP 21 for the biennium 2020-2021, the United Nations Environment Programme/Mediterranean Action Plan-Barcelona Convention Secretariat (UNEP/MAP) and its Programme for the Assessment and Control of Marine Pollution in the Mediterranean (MED POL) organized the Meeting of the Ecosystem Approach Correspondence Group on Pollution Monitoring (CorMon on Pollution Monitoring). The Meeting was held via videoconference on 26-27 April 2021. 2. The main objectives of the Meeting were to: a) Review the Monitoring Guidelines/Protocols for IMAP Common Indicator 18, as well as the Monitoring Guidelines/Protocols for Analytical Quality Assurance and Reporting of Monitoring Data for IMAP Common Indicators 13, 14, 17, 18 and 20; b) Take stock of the state of play of inter-laboratory testing and good laboratory practice related to IMAP Ecological Objectives 5 and 9; c) Analyze the proposal for the integration and aggregation rules for IMAP Ecological Objectives 5, 9 and 10 and assessment criteria for contaminants and nutrients; d) Recommend the ways and means to strengthen implementation of IMAP Pollution Cluster towards preparation of the 2023 MED Quality Status Report

Exploring public views on marine litter in Europe: Perceived causes, consequences and pathways to change

Marine litter is a global challenge and society plays an important role via lifestyles and behaviour, including policy support. We analysed public perceptions of marine litter and contributing factors, using data from 1133 respondents across 16 European countries. People reported high levels of concern about marine litter, and the vast majority (95%) reported seeing litter when visiting the coast. The problem was attributed to product and packaging design and behaviour rather than lack of facilities or accidental loss of items. Retailers, industry and government were perceived as most responsible, but also least motivated and competent to reduce marine litter, whereas scientists and environmental groups were perceived as least responsible but most motivated and competent. Regression analyses demonstrated the importance of psychological factors such as values and social norms above socio-demographic variables. These findings are important for communications and interventions to reduce inputs of marine litter to the natural environment

Study od biomarkers of oxidative stress in the aquatic organism mytilus galloprovincialis in relation to metal concentrations and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Τα τελευταία χρόνια, καθώς έχει δοθεί αυξημένη έμφαση στη χρήση μοριακών βιοδεικτών ως μέσο παρακολούθησης της ποιότητας του περιβάλλοντος και της φυσικής κατάστασης των οργανισμών που διαμένουν σε αυτό, πολλοί διαφορετικοί βιοδείκτες προσδιορίζονται στα δίθυρα μαλάκια σε προγράμματα ελέγχου της ποιότητας των υδάτινων οικοσυστημάτων. Τα δίθυρα και ιδιαίτερα τα μύδια χρησιμοποιούνται ευρύτατα ως βιολογικοί δείκτες σε προγράμματα παρακολούθησης της ρύπανσης των υδάτινων συστημάτων, επειδή είναι προσκολλημένοι σε κάποιο σταθερό υπόστρωμα και διαθέτουν την ικανότητα να φιλτράρουν μεγάλες ποσότητες ύδατος, με αποτέλεσμα να βιοσυσσωρεύουν μέταλλα και οργανικές ενώσεις στους ιστούς τους. Η σπουδαιότητα των μηχανισμών ελευθέρων ριζών και των δραστικών οξυγονούχων ριζών (ROS) στις φυσιολογικές λειτουργίες των βιολογικών οργανισμών και στους μηχανισμούς τοξικότητας διαφόρων περιβαλλοντικών ρύπων, καθώς επίσης και η πιθανή χρησιμότητα των αποκρίσεων που οφείλονται στη δράση των ROS ως μοριακούς βιοδείκτες, είχε ως άμεσο αποτέλεσμα την εκρηκτική αύξηση των μελετών που εστιάζουν στο οξειδωτικό stress και στις ROS. Οι επιπτώσεις οξειδωτικού stress με πιθανή καταλληλότητα ως βιοδείκτες περιλαμβάνουν είτε αντιδράσεις του οργανισμού για προσαρμογή στις συνθήκες περιβαλλοντικού stress όπως είναι αλλαγές στις δραστικότητες αντιοξειδωτικών ένζυμων, είτε επιδράσεις τοξικότητας μέσω μηχανισμών ROS όπως οξειδωτικές βλάβες στα λιπίδια των μεμβρανών, στο DNA και στις πρωτεΐνες. Ο στόχος της παρούσας μελέτης ήταν να αξιολογήσει και να εκτιμήσει την πιθανή χρησιμότητα των αντιοξειδωτικών παραμέτρων ως βιοδείκτες έκθεσης σε τοξικές ενώσεις και τοξικών επιδράσεων στον θαλάσσιο οργανισμό Mytilus galloprovincialis. Οι δραστικότητες των ενζύμων καταλάση και υπεροξειδική δισμουτάση, καθώς και τα επίπεδα λιπιδικής υπεροξείδωσης παρουσίασαν σημαντική στατιστική διαφορά στο μανδύα και στα βράγχια μυδιών είτε μετά από έκθεση αυτών σε μέταλλα όπως το κάδμιο, ο χαλκός, ο μόλυβδος και ο σίδηρος, είτε στη μελέτη πεδίου στον κόλπο του Σαρωνικού, συγκρινόμενα με τις αντίστοιχες τιμές των βιοδεικτών οξειδωτικού stress για μύδια αναφοράς

Assessing and mitigating the harmful effects of plastic pollution: the collective multi-stakeholder driven Euro-Mediterranean response

The Mediterranean Sea is one of the areas in the world most affected by marine litter. The main aim of this paper is to reflect on the key outcomes of the special session entitled ‘Harmful effects of plastic litter and mitigation strategies in the Mediterranean Sea’, which was organized within the framework of the SETAC Europe 28th Annual Meeting. The event highlighted the harmful effects of plastic pollution in the Mediterranean and brought forward multi-stakeholder and multi-level efforts to tackle it effectively. This commentary provides an overview of: a) the harmful effects of plastic litter on Mediterranean biodiversity and a three-fold assessment approach to detect impacts with the use of bioindicator species; b) the monitoring and mitigation strategies implemented within the frameworks of the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the Barcelona Convention Regional Plan for Marine Litter Management in the Mediterranean; c) the essential role of NGOs in strengthening the science-policy-society interface to address marine litter and in making effective connections between scientific knowledge and societal actions; d) the role of industry in addressing marine litter with a special focus on the potential application of biodegradable plastics in the aquaculture and the fisheries sector, and e) the barriers but also the enabling conditions needed to address the issue effectively. This paper also underlines one of the main challenges of our era: the gap between science, policy and society and how this could be closed towards achieving effective decision-making and comprehensive actions against marine litter

Operational Guide for Users of the MPA Engage Results & Outputs

This document is a single station document to access to the different tools and materials developed and tested during the project MPA Engage to develop adaptation action plans to face climate change in Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas. The document includes as well a description of the lessons learnt and indicative costs. Overall, this document was specially designed to guide MPA management bodies to design and implement measures in an efficient way to promote marine protected area MPAs as nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation.Climate change is dramatically affecting the Mediterranean Sea, which is warming at a rate three times faster (0.41°C per decade) than the world’s average (0.13°C per decade). Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), despite the nature-based solution they offer to support efforts towards climate change adaptation and mitigation, also experience the effects of climate change. In fact, several Mediterranean MPAs are already facing major biodiversity and functional alterations due to climate change, whereas others will likely face them within the next few decades. There is, therefore, an urgency to mitigate these risks and to consider adaptation options, in partnership with local communities, decision-makers, civil society organizations, research bodies, and other socio-economic actors at local, national and regional level. In the framework of the MPA Engage project an harmonized set of tools to address key topics to develop climate change adaptation plans have been developed and tested. These tools include ecological monitoring, vulnerability risk assessments, participatory approaches, citizen science and development of an action plan. MPA Engage is an Interreg Med funded project that seeks to support Mediterranean MPAs to adapt to and mitigate the ongoing climate change effects in the Mediterranean. Within a period of three years, MPA Engage has provided essential support to managers of marine protected areas to fast-track actions against climate change. During this time, MPA managers and climate change experts from 14 entities and 6 different countries, namely Albania, Croatia, France, Greece, Italy and Spain, have been brought together and have evolved into a taskforce with a joint mission to promote MPAs as nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation.European Commission. This document has been developed within the framework of the Interreg Med MPA Engage project, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.Peer reviewe