Distribution of Plastic Pellets on Alexandria Beaches | ||
| Journal of High Institute of Public Health | ||
| Article 6, Volume 32, Issue 3, July 2002, Pages 485-502 | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/jhiph.2002.208951 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Mamduh El-Messeiry; Mohamed H. Ramadan | ||
| Alexandria University, Egypt | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Plastic pellets are the raw materials that are melted and molded to create plastic products. During packaging and transporting overseas, pellets may spill into the aquatic environment. They have been found distributed on some coastal areas around the world. Scientific awareness has been increased concerning the aesthetic, economic, and biological hazards associated with the persistent of plastic pellets in the aquatic environment. The aim of this work is monitoring the distribution of plastic pellets on Alexandria beaches. Also, a mathematical model for the surface water currents was designed and applied to determine the possible point sources of plastic pellets. The shoreline of Alexandria was divided into eight sectors. Each sector length and width was measured. The sampling program continued for one year. Samples were collected from each sector once a month. Two sample locations were taken each time from each sector. One square meter sand surface and five cm depth of sand was gathered and sieved at the spot. Plastic pellets were collected and counted. In an attempt to identify the point sources of plastic pellets, metrological data were collected for Alexandria city. A computer program was designed and verified to convert the collected data from the sampling program to a mathematical simulation model. There are many ports in Alexandria. These ports are active sources of marine debris, especially plastic pellets, due to mishandling of goods as well as that garbage which improperly get rid from the ships while docking on and out of these harbors. Six sites out of the studied 8 sites have recorded their maximum number of pellets per square meter of the sand surface during summer season. They are Agamy [132], EL-Max [182], Shatby [113], Stanly [116], Sidi Besher [120], and Mandara [95]. The minimum number of pellets has been recorded during winter in 5 sites. They are Agamy [25], Anfoshi [57], Shatby [56], Sidi Beshr [7], and Mandara [6]. The maximum number of pellets per square meter of the sand surface has been recorded on EL-Max [1198] followed by Anfoshi [225]. On the other hand, the minimum number of pellets has been recorded on Mandara [2]. The maximum average has been recorded in also EL-Max [196] followed by Anfoshi [129] and the minimum was on Abu-Kir [30] followed by Mandara [32]. The recorded values of the present study for all the sites ranged between 2 and 1198 pellets/ square meter of the sand surface. The overall average number of pellets distributed along Alexandria beaches was 40 pellets per square meter of the sand surface. The mathematical model has showed that the dense area of point sources of pollution from plastic pellets, are around the western harbor point. Also, minor point sources of pollution were found. The study ended by some recommendations, which will assist in controlling the discharge of plastic pellets, whether in the wastewater or solid waste into water streams. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Plastic Pellets; Alexandria Beaches | ||
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