The marine plastic pollution levels in Southeast Asia are among the highest in the world. To develop mitigation measures in the region, we must increase our understanding of the impacts and risks of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems and their essential functions. In a collaborative effort, an interdisciplinary, international group of experts from Australia, Indonesia, Ireland, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam developed a research agenda for marine plastic pollution in Southeast Asia, synthesised current knowledge and identified areas for further research. The inductive method was used to identify 21 research questions under five nonpredefined key themes, which were grouped according to the following: (1) describe marine plastic pollution in Southeast Asia; (2) analyze its movement and fate in the region; (3) describe the biological and chemical modifications marine plastic pollution undergoes; (4) describe its economic, social, and environmental impacts; and (5) identify possible solutions for regional policies. These research priority areas highlight the importance of better understanding the fate and degradation of marine plastic pollution, as well as the impacts and risks it may pose to communities and ecosystems. Having a thorough understanding of these aspects will assist in supporting actions that are currently hindered by transborder problems, a lack of responsibility, and inaction to tackle the issue at its source within the region. As a profoundly affected region by marine plastic pollution, Southeast Asian countries provide a unique opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of both high-tech and low-tech solutions, and to share insights and actionable models with the rest of the world concerning innovative and socially inclusive changes in marine plastic governance.
This policy brief provides arguments on and insights into why and how plastic chemicals and polymers of concern should be integrated in the global plastics treaty. The document is an output of the Scientists’ Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty (SCEPT working group on chemicals, polymers and products) and aims at policymakers involved in the Intergovernmental Negotiation Committee[…]
The paper provides new insights into marine environments and human activities and suggests plastic waste should be controlled through laws that regulate waste sources and plastic additives in order to solve the problem of plastic accumulation in the oceans.
The paper strengthens the evidence that microplastics are present in the studied biota, suggesting that they are transferred between trophic levels through the interconnected food chain/web. The presence of micro plastics in fish guts highlights the need for further research on processing interventions for reducing microplastic contamination.
PPE (face masks and gloves) were surveyed at six Indian beaches. There were 496 PPE counted with an average density of 1.08 × 10−3 PPE m−2. Previous studies found similar PPE density. Face masks accounted for 98.39% of all PPE recorded, while gloves accounted for only 1.61%. As a result of the increase in vaccination[…]
The research seeks to depict and reduce marine plastic pollution in India. A GIS map has been created to show plastic input from different river basins. In order to address the challenges of marine litter in India, a guiding model has been developed. According to the predictive model, India produces 536 thousand tons of municipal[…]