Spatio-temporal variation of plastic pellets dispersion in the coastline of Sri Lanka: An assessment of pellets originated from the X-Press Pearl incident during the Southwest monsoon in 2021

Jayathilaka, R.M.R.M.; Weerakoon, W.R.W.M.A.P.; Indika, K.W.; Arulananthan, K.; Kithsiri, H.M.P.

Spatio-temporal variation of plastic pellets dispersion in the coastline of Sri Lanka: An assessment of pellets originated from the X-Press Pearl incident during the Southwest monsoon in 2021

2022

Jayathilaka, R.M.R.M. | Weerakoon, W.R.W.M.A.P. | Indika, K.W. | Arulananthan, K. | Kithsiri, H.M.P.

The objective of the research was to assess the spatio-temporal variation of plastic pellets dispersion in the coastline of Sri Lanka concerning the most tragic maritime accident of the cargo vessel; MV X-Press Pearl. Field sampling was carried in three intensive surveys during May and July 2021. A dry sieving procedure was employed to separate pellets followed by a chemical characterization using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis. A pellet pollution index (PPI) was determined to compare the degree of pellet pollution. The dispersion peaked two weeks after the spill, with severe pollution levels (PPI: Extreme) found in about 40 % of the coastal stretch from Matara to Kalpitiya. The occurrence of pellets was lower on the Northeast coast of the island compared to the South-west coast. No pellets were recorded from the Northern coast (PPI: Very low). The connection between pollution levels and upper ocean dynamics were explored, with the findings being utilized to track plastic pellets for future spills.

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