Surveys of Plastic Litter on Alaskan Beaches, 1985

摘要

Thirty-four Alaskan beaches were surveyed in 1985 at Yakutat (5 beaches), Middleton Island (7 beaches), and the Aleutian Islands (22 beaches) to determine types, quantities, and trends in abundance of plastic litter. Three types of plastic litter that entangle marine animals were common--trawl web, packing straps, and rope--whereas derelict gill nets were not. Alleutian Island beaches had the most litter, followed by Middleton Island and Yakutat beaches. Frequencies of weights and mesh sizes of trawl web on all the beaches surveyed differed from those of trawl web entangled on fur seals.