Predicting the fate of plaSTic On beaches by theiR 3D-distribution and weAtherinG procEsses

Recent global plastic pollution models predict that two thirds of the plastic mass released from land into the ocean since 1950s is likely to have stranded around the world’s shoreline.

Yet, our knowledge about the degradation, burial and transportation fate of beached Marine Plastic Debris, MPD, remains limited and little is known about the exact capacity of beaches to store MPD.

To fill in current knowledge gaps in global monitoring of MPD, we propose a novel approach based on repeated field-surveys of surface and buried MPD and studying the physico-chemical transformations induced by MPD aging on Hawaiian beaches, which are known hot-spots for MPD due to their proximity to the north pacific garbage patch.

Data collected from repeated surveys of surface and buried MPD on beaches will generate 3D maps of MPD and assessment of temporal MPD fluctuation and accumulation zones of MPD with respect to the type, size and density of MPD present on the surface and in the sand column.

Following the aging of plastic debris when stored on beaches will reveal dominating MPD transformations and rates, including fragmentation rates, which will provide key information (e.g. changes in density, buoyancy and fragmentation) to model fate (transportation and transformation) of MPD in coastal environments.

We envision that outcomes from STORAGE can timely provide scientific evidence supporting decision making within the present and future legislative measures against plastic pollution prompted by the EU and global agreements.

The interdisciplinary transfer of knowledge needed for STORAGE will be facilitated through stays at the Center for Marine Debris Research, (CMDR) at Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) in the U.S., Laboratoire Structures Matériaux Avancés et Sollicitations Hyperbares (SMASH) at Ifremer in France and a secondment at the Research Team at The Ocean Cleanup office in the Netherlands, and brings together key actors in MPD analysis and sampling, plastic pollution modelling and polymer science.