Daily accumulation rates of floating debris and attached biota on continental and oceanic island shores in the SE Pacific: testing predictions based on global models
Background Long-distance rafting on anthropogenic marine debris (AMD) is thought to have a significant impact on global marine biogeography and the dispersal of non-indigenous species. Therefore, early identification of arrival sites of AMD and its epibionts is crucial for the prioritization of prev...
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PeerJ Inc.
2023-07-01
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| Online Access: | https://peerj.com/articles/15550.pdf |
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| author | Sabine Rech Rene Matias Arias Simón Vadell Dennis Gordon Martin Thiel |
| author_facet | Sabine Rech Rene Matias Arias Simón Vadell Dennis Gordon Martin Thiel |
| author_sort | Sabine Rech |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background Long-distance rafting on anthropogenic marine debris (AMD) is thought to have a significant impact on global marine biogeography and the dispersal of non-indigenous species. Therefore, early identification of arrival sites of AMD and its epibionts is crucial for the prioritization of preventive measures. As accumulation patterns along global coastlines are largely unstudied, we tested if existing oceanographic models and knowledge about upstream sources of litter and epibionts can be used as a simple and cost-efficient approach for predicting probable arrival sites of AMD-rafting biota in coastal zones. Methods Using the Southeast Pacific as a model system, we studied daily accumulation rates, composition, and minimum floating times of AMD with and without epibionts on seven sandy beaches, covering the oceanic environment (Rapa Nui/Easter Island) and three regions (south, centre, north) along the Chilean continental coast, over a minimum of 10 consecutive days, and we contrast our results with predictions from published models. Results Total AMD accumulation rates varied from 56 ± 36 (mean ± standard deviation) to 388 ± 433 items km−1 d−1 and differed strongly between regions, in accordance with local geomorphology and socioeconomic conditions (presence of larger cities and rivers upstream, main economic activities, etc.). Daily accumulation of items with pelagic epibionts (indicators of a pelagic trajectory) ranged from 46 ± 29 (Rapa Nui) to 0.0 items km−1 d−1 (northern continental region). Minimum floating times of rafts, as estimated from the size of pelagic epibionts, were longest in the South Pacific Subtropical Gyre’s (SPSG) centre region, followed by the high-latitude continental region under the influence of the onshore West Wind Drift, and decreased along the continental alongshore upwelling current, towards lower latitudes. Apart from pelagic rafters, a wide range of benthic epibionts, including invasive and cryptogenic species, was found on rafts at the continental beaches. Similarly, we present another record of local benthic corals Pocillopora sp., on Rapa Nui rafts. Discussion Our results agree with the predictions made by recent models based on the prevailing wind and surface current regimes, with high frequencies of long-distance rafting in the oceanic SPSG centre and very low frequencies along the continental coast. These findings confirm the suitability of such models in predicting arrival hotspots of AMD and rafting species. Moreover, storm surges as well as site-related factors seem to influence AMD arrival patterns along the Chilean continental coast and might cause the observed high variability between sampling sites and days. Our results highlight the possible importance of rafting as a vector of along-shore dispersal and range expansions along the SE Pacific continental coast and add to the discussion about its role in benthic species dispersal between South Pacific oceanic islands. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T07:27:45Z |
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| issn | 2167-8359 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T07:27:45Z |
| publishDate | 2023-07-01 |
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| spelling | doaj.art-f2146377f45244159154e5fb813a07642023-12-03T06:50:30ZengPeerJ Inc.PeerJ2167-83592023-07-0111e1555010.7717/peerj.15550Daily accumulation rates of floating debris and attached biota on continental and oceanic island shores in the SE Pacific: testing predictions based on global modelsSabine Rech0Rene Matias Arias1Simón Vadell2Dennis Gordon3Martin Thiel4Departamento de Biologia Marina, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Catolica del Norte, Coquimbo, ChileDepartamento de Biologia Marina, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Catolica del Norte, Coquimbo, ChileDepartamento de Biologia Marina, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Catolica del Norte, Coquimbo, ChileNational Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), Kilbirnie, Wellington, New ZealandDepartamento de Biologia Marina, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Catolica del Norte, Coquimbo, ChileBackground Long-distance rafting on anthropogenic marine debris (AMD) is thought to have a significant impact on global marine biogeography and the dispersal of non-indigenous species. Therefore, early identification of arrival sites of AMD and its epibionts is crucial for the prioritization of preventive measures. As accumulation patterns along global coastlines are largely unstudied, we tested if existing oceanographic models and knowledge about upstream sources of litter and epibionts can be used as a simple and cost-efficient approach for predicting probable arrival sites of AMD-rafting biota in coastal zones. Methods Using the Southeast Pacific as a model system, we studied daily accumulation rates, composition, and minimum floating times of AMD with and without epibionts on seven sandy beaches, covering the oceanic environment (Rapa Nui/Easter Island) and three regions (south, centre, north) along the Chilean continental coast, over a minimum of 10 consecutive days, and we contrast our results with predictions from published models. Results Total AMD accumulation rates varied from 56 ± 36 (mean ± standard deviation) to 388 ± 433 items km−1 d−1 and differed strongly between regions, in accordance with local geomorphology and socioeconomic conditions (presence of larger cities and rivers upstream, main economic activities, etc.). Daily accumulation of items with pelagic epibionts (indicators of a pelagic trajectory) ranged from 46 ± 29 (Rapa Nui) to 0.0 items km−1 d−1 (northern continental region). Minimum floating times of rafts, as estimated from the size of pelagic epibionts, were longest in the South Pacific Subtropical Gyre’s (SPSG) centre region, followed by the high-latitude continental region under the influence of the onshore West Wind Drift, and decreased along the continental alongshore upwelling current, towards lower latitudes. Apart from pelagic rafters, a wide range of benthic epibionts, including invasive and cryptogenic species, was found on rafts at the continental beaches. Similarly, we present another record of local benthic corals Pocillopora sp., on Rapa Nui rafts. Discussion Our results agree with the predictions made by recent models based on the prevailing wind and surface current regimes, with high frequencies of long-distance rafting in the oceanic SPSG centre and very low frequencies along the continental coast. These findings confirm the suitability of such models in predicting arrival hotspots of AMD and rafting species. Moreover, storm surges as well as site-related factors seem to influence AMD arrival patterns along the Chilean continental coast and might cause the observed high variability between sampling sites and days. Our results highlight the possible importance of rafting as a vector of along-shore dispersal and range expansions along the SE Pacific continental coast and add to the discussion about its role in benthic species dispersal between South Pacific oceanic islands.https://peerj.com/articles/15550.pdfAnthropogenic marine debrisFloating litterMarine currentsMarine invertebratesPlastic pollutionSouth Pacific Subtropical Gyre |
| spellingShingle | Sabine Rech Rene Matias Arias Simón Vadell Dennis Gordon Martin Thiel Daily accumulation rates of floating debris and attached biota on continental and oceanic island shores in the SE Pacific: testing predictions based on global models PeerJ Anthropogenic marine debris Floating litter Marine currents Marine invertebrates Plastic pollution South Pacific Subtropical Gyre |
| title | Daily accumulation rates of floating debris and attached biota on continental and oceanic island shores in the SE Pacific: testing predictions based on global models |
| title_full | Daily accumulation rates of floating debris and attached biota on continental and oceanic island shores in the SE Pacific: testing predictions based on global models |
| title_fullStr | Daily accumulation rates of floating debris and attached biota on continental and oceanic island shores in the SE Pacific: testing predictions based on global models |
| title_full_unstemmed | Daily accumulation rates of floating debris and attached biota on continental and oceanic island shores in the SE Pacific: testing predictions based on global models |
| title_short | Daily accumulation rates of floating debris and attached biota on continental and oceanic island shores in the SE Pacific: testing predictions based on global models |
| title_sort | daily accumulation rates of floating debris and attached biota on continental and oceanic island shores in the se pacific testing predictions based on global models |
| topic | Anthropogenic marine debris Floating litter Marine currents Marine invertebrates Plastic pollution South Pacific Subtropical Gyre |
| url | https://peerj.com/articles/15550.pdf |
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