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The Marine Plastic Litter Issue: A Social-Economic Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Samuel Abalansa

    (Murray Foundation, Brabners LLP, Horton House, Exchange Street, Liverpool L2 3YL, UK
    CIMA, FCT-Gambelas Campus, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal)

  • Badr El Mahrad

    (Murray Foundation, Brabners LLP, Horton House, Exchange Street, Liverpool L2 3YL, UK
    CIMA, FCT-Gambelas Campus, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
    Laboratory of Geoscience, Water and Environment, (LG2E-CERNE2D), Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Mohammed V University of Rabat, Rabat 10000, Morocco)

  • Godwin Kofi Vondolia

    (Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Gaustadalléen 21, 0349 Oslo, Norway)

  • John Icely

    (CIMA, FCT-Gambelas Campus, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
    Sagremarisco, Apt 21, 8650-999 Vila do Bispo, Portugal)

  • Alice Newton

    (CIMA, FCT-Gambelas Campus, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal)

Abstract

The issue of marine plastic litter pollution is multifaceted, cross-sectoral, and ongoing in the absence of appropriate management measures. This study analysed the issue of marine plastic litter pollution in the context of the Descriptor 10 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and Good Environmental Status of the oceans and seas. The Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework was used to assess the causes, effects, and management measures to changes in the marine environment resulting from marine plastics pollution. We noted that less than 10 peer-reviewed publications have applied the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) model to the issue of marine plastics pollution. Some basic needs such as food security, movement of goods and services, and shelter are also some of the major drivers of marine plastic pollution. The use of plastics is linked to multiple economic sectors (fisheries, agriculture, transport, packaging, construction) and other human activities. A significant amount of the resulting pressures came from the economic sectors for packaging and construction. State changes occurred at the environmental (contamination and bioaccumulation), ecosystem (ingestion of plastics, ghost fishing) and ecosystem service levels (supply of sea food, salt and cultural benefits), with possible loss of jobs and income being some of the observed impacts on human welfare. Responses as management measures, which are tailored to meet each component of the DPSIR framework, were identified. These included policies, regulations, technological advancement and behavioural change. The research acknowledges the issue of marine plastics pollution as a global environmental problem and recommends a trans-disciplinary approach, involving all types of stakeholders. Future research and analysis applying the DPSIR framework will be useful to provide the information necessary for the effective, adaptive management of litter pollution by marine plastics.

Suggested Citation

  • Samuel Abalansa & Badr El Mahrad & Godwin Kofi Vondolia & John Icely & Alice Newton, 2020. "The Marine Plastic Litter Issue: A Social-Economic Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-27, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:20:p:8677-:d:431394
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lewison, Rebecca L. & Rudd, Murray A. & Al-Hayek, Wissam & Baldwin, Claudia & Beger, Maria & Lieske, Scott N. & Jones, Christian & Satumanatpan, Suvaluck & Junchompoo, Chalatip & Hines, Ellen, 2016. "How the DPSIR framework can be used for structuring problems and facilitating empirical research in coastal systems," Environmental Science & Policy, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 110-119.
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    4. Bernardo Tabuenca & Marco Kalz & Ansje Löhr, 2019. "Massive Open Online Education for Environmental Activism: The Worldwide Problem of Marine Litter," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-16, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Himadri Rajput & Munjed A. Maraqa & Fatima Zraydi & Lina A. Al Khatib & Noor Ameen & Rime Ben ElKaid & Safia S. Al Jaberi & Noura A. Alharbi & Reka Howard & Ashraf Aly Hassan, 2022. "A Survey on the Use of Plastic versus Biodegradable Bottles for Drinking Water Packaging in the United Arab Emirates," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-13, February.
    2. Ge Song & Hu Cao & Lanyi Liu & Min Jin, 2022. "Analysis of Marine Microplastic Pollution of Disposable Masks under COVID-19 Epidemic—A DPSIR Framework," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-15, December.
    3. Jitraporn Phaksopa & Roochira Sukhsangchan & Rangsiwut Keawsang & Kittipod Tanapivattanakul & Thon Thamrongnawasawat & Suchai Worachananant & Patinya Sreesamran, 2021. "Presence and Characterization of Microplastics in Coastal Fish around the Eastern Coast of Thailand," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-12, November.
    4. Kyounghwan Song & Jung-Yeul Jung & Seung Hyun Lee & Sanghyun Park & Yunjung Yang, 2022. "Assessment of Marine Debris on Hard-to-Reach Places Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Segmentation Models Based on a Deep Learning Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-13, July.
    5. Vilma Havas & Søren Løkke & Lone Kørnøv, 2022. "Exploring Scientific Discourse on Marine Litter in Europe: Review of Sources, Causes and Solutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-22, June.
    6. Diogo A. Ferreira-Filipe & Ana Paço & Armando C. Duarte & Teresa Rocha-Santos & Ana L. Patrício Silva, 2021. "Are Biobased Plastics Green Alternatives?—A Critical Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-16, July.
    7. Andrea Winterstetter & Marie Grodent & Venkatesh Kini & Kim Ragaert & Karl C. Vrancken, 2021. "A Review of Technological Solutions to Prevent or Reduce Marine Plastic Litter in Developing Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-17, April.
    8. Alice Guittard & Ebun Akinsete & Elias Demian & Phoebe Koundouri & Lydia Papadaki & Xenia Tombrou, 2022. "Tackling Single-Use-Plastic in small touristic islands to reduce marine litter: co-identifying the best mix of policies," DEOS Working Papers 2236, Athens University of Economics and Business.

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