Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Polymer debris was collected at seven locations along the Chennai Coastline (between
January to February 2007) along its entire length of 25 km (between 80° 17´ 3´´ E −
80° 15´ 12´´ E and 13° 3´ 13´´ N − 12° 47´ 24´´ N). These locations have commercial
signiicance and they are also densely populated areas. Some of these locations are
popular tourist spots (namely the Marina and Chinna Neelankari). The high amount
of plastic waste per kilogram of sediment (0.5-2.5 g/kg) indicates the alarming
accumulation of plastic debris along Chennai beaches (see Figure 1.2 ). The number is
as high as 10.5 pieces per m 2 . These indings fall within the range of results reported
by UNEP from other parts of the world namely, Edinburgh (UK): 0.8 per m 2 , Croatia:
6.4 per m 2 , Sicily: 9−231 per m 2 , and the Gulf of Aqaba: 3 per m 2 .
3.5
16
14
3
polymer weight
12
2.5
number of pieces
10
2
8
1.5
6
1
4
0.5
2
0
0
Figure 1.2 Details of polymer debris collected at seven locations along the Chennai
coastline, India
1.8 Coastal Clean-up
International and local non-proit organisations organise the clean-up of beaches,
which generally consist of volunteers and researchers. The latter community
 
 
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