Research Areas > Marine Debris

Research Theme: Marine Debris

The mid-20th century saw the mass introduction of new materials that resist oxidative and bacteriological decay. These new materials, mostly plastics, have resulted in a build-up of debris over time, with negative aesthetic and ecological consequences. In addition to larger plastic items that make their way into the marine environment, smaller pieces (<5mm) are of growing concern. These smaller items are typically a result of larger items being broken down over time and loss of pre-production plastic pellets (raw materials for producing larger plastic items) during transport. These pellets are considered a danger to marine life due to ingestion, and may represent a pathway for persistent organic pollutants to enter the food chain.

SCCWRP Research

Southern California beaches and marine waters are used extensively for a variety of recreational purposes, attracting an estimated 150 million visitors annually. Consequently, most debris studies in Southern California have focused on the composition and abundance of debris on beaches. On the other hand, SCCWRP has participated in studies that not only looking at debris on beaches, but also in other habitats or receptacles: the seafloor, nearshore surface water, and water-column water.

Marine debris research areas include:

• Debris on Beaches
• Plastic Debris Offshore
• Plastic Debris on the Ocean Bottom