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Stormwater systems as a source of marine debris: a case study from the Mediterranean coast of Israel

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Abstract

Drainage (or stormwater) systems are a potential source of marine debris. Approximately 67 km (33%) of the land along the Mediterranean coast of Israel is considered urban, covered by concrete and asphalt. The purpose of the present pilot study was to determine the composition of the solid waste in a drainage system and evaluate to what extent municipal sources contribute to marine debris. We sampled the waste in Netanya, a medium-size city (245,000 residents) on the central Mediterranean coast of Israel. Samples were taken from seven street stormwater receptacles prior to the first significant rain and then on the beach near a drainage outlet, a few hours after this substantial rain. In terms of composition of the debris, paper, cigarette butts, and sanitary items made up a higher proportion of the drainage system debris than those items did on the beach. In contrast, single-use items, polystyrene pieces, bottle caps, and plastic drinking bottles composed more of the debris on the beaches compared to the debris in the drainage system. Overall, we found that municipal stormwater systems contribute significant amounts of solid waste to marine debris on Israeli beaches. Preventing the waste from reaching the streets might help reduce marine debris on the beaches, especially at the beginning of the rainy season. There are multiple solutions, but all will require creativity and resources and constant maintenance. Educating the public to prevent disposal of solid waste items in the street is also important as a way to reduce terrestrial as well as marine debris.

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Acknowledgments

Research reported in the present publication was partially supported by a Sir Maurice and Lady Irene Hatter Research Grant for Maritime Studies to the first author. Any use of trade, product, or firm names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

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Correspondence to Galia Pasternak.

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Appendix 1

Appendix 1

Table 2 Waste collected in street receptacles before the first significant rain and on the beach after it, sorted according to Table 1 of Cheshire et al. (2009)

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Pasternak, G., Ribic, C.A., Spanier, E. et al. Stormwater systems as a source of marine debris: a case study from the Mediterranean coast of Israel. J Coast Conserv 25, 27 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11852-021-00818-3

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