Global Garbage Newsletter for January 16, 2016 Please note: the links to the download of the articles (PDF) will be activated only until the 15th of February. Sara Sá, Jorge Bastos-Santos, Hélder Araújo, Marisa Ferreira, Virginia Duro, Flávia Alves, Bruno Panta-Ferreira, LÃdia Nicolau, Catarina Eira, José Vingada, Spatial distribution of floating marine debris in offshore continental Portuguese waters, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Available online 15 January 2016, ISSN 0025-326X, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.01.011. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X1630011X) Abstract: This study presents data on abundance and density of macro-floating marine debris (FMD), including their composition, spatial distribution and potential sources off continental Portugal. FMD were assessed by shipboard visual surveys covering ± 252,833 km2 until the 220 nm limit. The FMD average density was 2.98 items/km2 and abundance amounted to 752,740 items. Unidentified plastics constitute the major bulk of FMD (density = 0.46 items/km2; abundance = 117,390 items), followed by styrofoam, derelict or lost materials from fisheries, paper/cardboard and wood material. The North sector of the area presents higher FMD diversity and abundances, probably as a result of the high number of navigation corridors and fisheries operating in that sector. Most FMD originate from local sources, namely discharges from vessels and derelict material from fisheries. Considering the identifiable items, cables and fishing lines were the only fishing related items among the top ten FMD items in Portuguese offshore waters. Keywords: Floating marine debris; Density estimate; Distance sampling; Plastics; Portugal http://www.globalgarbage.org.br/mailinglist/S0025326X1630011X_In_Press_Corrected_Proof.pdf Note to users: Corrected proofs are Articles in Press that contain the authors' corrections. Final citation details, e.g., volume and/or issue number, publication year and page numbers, still need to be added and the text might change before final publication. Although corrected proofs do not have all bibliographic details available yet, they can already be cited using the year of online publication and the DOI , as follows: author(s), article title, Publication (year), DOI. Please consult the journal's reference style for the exact appearance of these elements, abbreviation of journal names and use of punctuation. When the final article is assigned to volumes/issues of the Publication, the Article in Press version will be removed and the final version will appear in the associated published volumes/issues of the Publication. The date the article was first made available online will be carried over. Cánovas-Molina Almudena, Monica Montefalcone, Giorgio Bavestrello, Angelo Cau, Carlo Nike Bianchi, Carla Morri, Simonepietro Canese, Marzia Bo, A new ecological index for the status of mesophotic megabenthic assemblages in the mediterranean based on ROV photography and video footage, Continental Shelf Research, Available online 15 January 2016, ISSN 0278-4343, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.csr.2016.01.008. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278434316300085) Abstract: A new index of ecological status, named Mesophotic Assemblages Ecological Status (MAES) index, was elaborated on the basis of ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) photography and video footage in order to assess the status of mesophotic megabenthic assemblages from hard bottom. The index was tested on seven sites located between 50 and 150 m depth in the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian seas (western Mediterranean Sea). The MAES index considers three main parameters: i) the community structure (number of megabenthic taxa, percent biotic cover in the basal layer, density of erect species); ii) the condition of the dominant erect species (average height, percent of colonies with epibiosis/necrosis); iii) the visible human impact (density of marine litter, including lost fishing gears). Two versions of the index have been elaborated, the complete version (MAES) and the quick version (q-MAES), which showed comparable results, therefore suggesting the possibility of fastening assessment times. The sensitivity of the MAES index was correlated with the putative human pressure acting upon the site (semi-quantitatively assessed considering fishing effort and coastal urbanisation). A standard working protocol related to the evaluation of the MAES index is here proposed with the intent to create an effective monitoring tool for the assessment of the ecological status of mesophotic assemblages on a large scale, as required by the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive. MAES index will enhance the comprehension of the dynamics of mesophotic Mediterranean megabenthic assemblages with respect to human pressures and will also provide marine scientists and managers with a valuable tool specifically designed for the conservation of such vulnerable marine ecosystems. Keywords: Mesophotic assemblages; Ecological status; Mediterranean Sea; MAES index; ROV http://www.globalgarbage.org.br/mailinglist/S0278434316300085_In_Press_Accepted_Manuscript.pdf Note to users: Accepted manuscripts are Articles in Press that have been peer reviewed and accepted for publication by the Editorial Board of this publication. They have not yet been copy edited and/or formatted in the publication house style, and may not yet have the full ScienceDirect functionality, e.g., supplementary files may still need to be added, links to references may not resolve yet etc. The text could still change before final publication. Although accepted manuscripts do not have all bibliographic details available yet, they can already be cited using the year of online publication and the DOI, as follows: author(s), article title, Publication (year), DOI. Please consult the journal's reference style for the exact appearance of these elements, abbreviation of journal names and use of punctuation. When the final article is assigned to volumes/issues of the Publication, the Article in Press version will be removed and the final version will appear in the associated published volumes/issues of the Publication. The date the article was first made available online will be carried over. Tomoya Kataoka, Hirofumi Hinata, Shigeru Kato, Backwash process of marine macroplastics from a beach by nearshore currents around a submerged breakwater, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 101, Issue 2, 30 December 2015, Pages 539-548, ISSN 0025-326X, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.10.060. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X15301387) Abstract: A key factor for determining the residence time of macroplastics on a beach is the process by which the plastics are backwashed offshore (backwash process). Here, we deduced the backwash process of plastic fishing floats on Wadahama Beach based on the analysis of two-year mark-recapture experiments as well as nearshore current structures revealed by sequential images taken by za webcam installed at the edge of a cliff behind the beach. The analysis results revealed the occurrence of a combination of offshore currents and convergence of alongshore currents in the surf zone in storm events around a submerged breakwater off the northern part of the beach, where 48% of the backwashed floats were last found. We conclude that the majority of the floats on the beach were transported alongshore and tended to concentrate in the convergence zone, from where they were backwashed offshore by the nearshore currents generated in the events. Keywords: Marine macroplastics; Residence time; Submerged breakwater; Nearshore current; Mark-recapture experiment http://www.globalgarbage.org.br/mailinglist/S0025326X15301387.pdf Catharina Pieper, Maria A. Ventura, Ana Martins, Regina T. Cunha, Beach debris in the Azores (NE Atlantic): Faial Island as a first case study, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 101, Issue 2, 30 December 2015, Pages 575-582, ISSN 0025-326X, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.10.056. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X15301272) Abstract: Marine debris is widely recognised as a global environmental problem. This study assesses density, type, and temporal trends of marine debris in two sandy beaches of Faial Island (Azores, NE-Atlantic). During seven months (six days per month) the beaches were surveyed by performing 10 random transects at each site. Recorded items within the range 2–30 cm were organised into seven categories. Densities of total debris varied from 0 to 1.940 items m− 2, with plastics dominating both areas. Both beaches, presented the highest debris abundance in February, most probably related to prevailing winds and swell. Location and/or time of year also seemed to influence the type of debris present. These findings provide new insights into debris accumulation rates in the Azores, where no previous studies were made. It also confirms the global trend of increased plastics accumulation on shorelines, highlighting the need for further research in remote islands. Keywords: Marine pollution; Solid waste; Plastics; Remote islands; Azores Archipelago http://www.globalgarbage.org.br/mailinglist/S0025326X15301272.pdf Atsuhiko Isobe, Keiichi Uchida, Tadashi Tokai, Shinsuke Iwasaki, East Asian seas: A hot spot of pelagic microplastics, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 101, Issue 2, 30 December 2015, Pages 618-623, ISSN 0025-326X, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.10.042. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X15301168) Abstract: To investigate concentrations of pelagic micro- ( 5 mm) in the East Asian seas around Japan, field surveys using two vessels were conducted concurrently in summer 2014. The total particle count (pieces km− 2) was computed based on observed concentrations (pieces m− 3) of small plastic fragments (both micro- and mesoplastics) collected using neuston nets. The total particle count of microplastics within the study area was 1,720,000 pieces km− 2, 16 times greater than in the North Pacific and 27 times greater than in the world oceans. The proportion of mesoplastics increased upstream of the northeastward ocean currents, such that the small plastic fragments collected in the present surveys were considered to have originated in the Yellow Sea and East China Sea southwest of the study area. Keywords: Microplastics; Mesoplastics; Field survey; Total particle count http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X15301168/pdfft?md5=75e455f3bf340467949184559a7456b8&pid=1-s2.0-S0025326X15301168-main.pdf Robson Henrique de Carvalho, Pedro Dutra Lacerda, Sarah da Silva Mendes, Bruno Corrêa Barbosa, Mariana Paschoalini, Fabio Prezoto, Bernadete Maria de Sousa, Marine debris ingestion by sea turtles (Testudines) on the Brazilian coast: an underestimated threat?, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 101, Issue 2, 30 December 2015, Pages 746-749, ISSN 0025-326X, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.10.002. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X1530076X) Abstract: Assessment of marine debris ingestion by sea turtles is important, especially to ensure their survival. From January to December 2011, 23 specimens of five species of sea turtles were found dead or dying after being rehabilitated, along the coast of the municipality of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. To detect the presence of marine debris in the digestive tract of these turtles, we conducted a postmortem examination from the esophagus until the distal portion of the large intestine for each specimen. Of the total number of turtles, 39% had ingested marine debris such as soft plastic, hard plastic, metal, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle caps, human hair, tampons, and latex condoms. Five of the seven sea turtles species are found along the Brazilian coast, where they feed and breed. A large number of animals are exposed to various kinds of threats, including debris ingestion. Keywords: Plastic; Pollution; Waste; Rio de Janeiro; Chelonia mydas; Caretta caretta http://www.globalgarbage.org.br/mailinglist/S0025326X1530076X.pdfhttp://micro2016.sciencesconf.org/page/registration ABSTRACT SUBMISSION AND CONFERENCE REGISTRATION Abstract Submission Deadline: 31 March 2016 Prior to submitting abstracts and registering for the conference, attendees must create an account. To do this, go to "Create an Account" in the "My Space" menu. Once your account is created, the menu links for "registration" and "submission" will become available. Then, follow the instructions on the corresponding pages to register for the conference and submit your presentation abstract online. Attendees are invited to submit an abstract for an oral or poster presentation on the following MICRO 2016 topics: * From macro- to microplastics: Weathering and fragmentation processes * From source to sink: Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in fresh water bodies, coastal zones and the open ocean * Impacts of microplastics on marine life * Microplastics as vectors of biological and chemical contaminants * Socioeconomic impacts of microplastics * Citizen science, outreach, education and communication * Solutions and next steps Abstracts should be submitted in English and should be no more than 300 words long with 1 figure. Please state your preference for an oral or poster presentation. The scientific committee reserves the right to ask that an oral presentation be changed to a poster or vice versa, to help ensure balanced thematic sessions. After submitting your abstract, you will receive a confirmation e-mail. All abstracts, both oral and poster, will be published in the book of abstracts. If you would like to propose a side event, please directly contact the organizers: micro2016sciencesconf.org Instructions for oral presentations: Supporting material for all oral presentations must be given to the technical staff by 5 pm the day before the presentation, please use pdf format. Each oral presentation is limited to 15 minutes. Instructions for posters: A permanent poster exhibition will be displayed at the Cabildo de Lanzarote. Poster boards will be available for displaying your poster. The size of the poster should not exceed 80 cm wide/110 cm high, so as to be compatible with the panels of the poster stands. If you have a particular request, please contact the organizers. No Conference Registration Fee. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Johnny Gasperi Date: 2016-01-05 11:06 GMT+01:00 Subject: Post-doc fellowship at the UPEC university (France) To: "fabianobarretto@googlemail.com" Cc: "XTERIEUR bruno.tassin" Dear Fabiano, First, I wish you my best wishes for 2016! Can you please share this update using your mail list (MailingList@globalgarbage.org">MailingList@globalgarbage.org">MailingList@globalgarbage.org">MailingList@globalgarbage.org">MailingList@globalgarbage.org">MailingList@globalgarbage.org">MailingList@globalgarbage.org">MailingList@globalgarbage.org">MailingList@globalgarbage.org">MailingList@globalgarbage.org">MailingList@globalgarbage.org">MailingList@globalgarbage.org">MailingList@globalgarbage.org">MailingList@globalgarbage.org">MailingList@globalgarbage.org">MailingList@globalgarbage.org) Many thanks, Best regards, Johnny “Dear all, Bruno Tassin and I are working on microplastics in Paris (France). Maybe some of you already know our works on the Seine River and the recent papers published (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Johnny_Gasperi). My university (Université Paris-Est – UPEC) offers an internal post-doc fellowship, which could start in September 2016 for one year. We would like to support any application dealing with microplastics to join our research group. Eligibility EU Member States or French candidate can apply. Any post-doc level researcher is eligible but he/she do not have resided or carried out his/her main activity in France for more than 12 months in the last three years. As this fellowship is coupled to the PRESTIGE post-doc program (which is a co-financing program), more details can be found on the eligibility criteria (http://www.campusfrance.org/en/prestige). Application A first application to the university is required. The deadline is February, 1st 2016. A pre-selection of candidate by the university will be made in March 2016. The pre-selected candidate will then apply to the PRESTIGE post-doc program. In case of acceptance, this could provide extra funds for research and living allowance. In case of not acceptance by the PRESTIGE program, the university would employ the candidate according to conventional living allowance. Don’t hesitate to contact us for further information. Best regards, Johnny Gasperi (gasperi@u-pec.fr">gasperi@u-pec.fr) and Bruno Tassin (tassin@enpc.fr)” Johnny Gasperi Maitre de conférence - HDR - LEESU Faculté de Sciences et Technologie Université Paris Est - Créteil 61 Avenue du Général De Gaulle 94010 Créteil cedex, France. 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