Hong et al. (2014) Evaluation of Beach Pollution by Aquaculture Styrofoam Buoys in Tongyeong
Evaluation of Beach Pollution by Aquaculture Styrofoam Buoys in Tongyeong, Korea
Su Yeon Hong, Chan Won Lee, Sunwook Hong, Jongmyoung Lee and Yong Chang Jang
Abundance and composition of marine debris on 13 beaches of Tongyeong City, South Korea were surveyed in 2013 Autumn. The average quantity of macro debris (>25 mm) was about 30 particle/m2 and that of micro debris (1 mm-25 mm) was about 26,971 particle/m2. This is a very high level compared with other areas of South Korea and the other countries. Among the 7 material types of debris (styrofoam, hard plastic, fiber, metal, glass, wood and others), styrofoam composed a large portion: 75% of macro debris and 98% of micro debris. And among the ‘whole’ styrofoam debris items whose original volume is remained more than 50%, styrofoam buoy debris composed 93%. This result suggests that the beaches surveyed are seriously contaminated by marine debris, and most of its sources are aquaculture styrofoam buoys. Management of styrofoam buoy debris used for oyster aquaculture in Tongyeong City is important not only for Tongyeong city, but also for other areas, because Tongyeong city hosts the biggest number of oyster aquaculture areas in South Korea.