Accumulation of plastic litter on beaches of Amchitka Island, Alaska

摘要: Abstract Between 1972 and 1974 plastic marine litter on ten 1-km beaches at Amchitka Island increased from 2,221 to 5,367 items—a 2·4 x increase in a two-year period. Most originated Japanese Soviet fishing vessels, but some items were the Asian coast, least 1,150 km distant. In there 345 kg of common per kilometre beach. 1972, an estimated 1,664 metric tons was lost or dumped vessels Bering Sea North Pacific Ocean. Stranded persists indefinitely rapidly becomes buried beach material is blown inland covered with vegetation. The most serious environmental impact probably entanglement mammals birds types litter. accelerating accumulation could be reduced through unilateral action by countries that regulate coastal privileges if these make control condition for permission fish.