Marine Anthropogenic Litter

Marine anthropogenic litter has been recognized as a major threat to marine wildlife. Together with the rising industrial production of consumables the amount of solid waste products, which ends up in the oceans is increasing continuously. Numerous illustrative reports on marine organisms that have been injured or killed by litter have raised public awareness and stimulated policy to develop strategies for solving this growing environmental problem. In addition, reduced levels of litter would increase aesthetic values and possibilities for coastal recreation and tourism. International legislative frameworks require sound scientific knowledge on the quality and quantity of anthropogenic litter in the world s oceans, its role in marine biology and ecology and possible technical solutions. Since the publication of a first comprehensive volume on marine anthropogenic litter by Springer in 1997 research effort on this topic has been grown substantially: new habitats such as the deep ocean floor and beaches of remote oceanic islands have been investigated in terms of litter pollution. Both environmental monitoring programmes and more specific case studies have enhanced our understanding of the deleterious impacts of marine litter on marine organisms considerably. Furthermore, the discovery of micro plastics in all compartments of the marine environment has contributed to a more comprehensive image of the pollution of the oceans by marine anthropogenic litter. and on novel technical solutions and management strategies for this global environmental problem.