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Marine litter is increasingly recognised as a vector for the spread of non-native species (NNS). However, our understanding of its role in the propagation of NNS in UK waters remains limited. As part of the Clean Seas Environmental Monitoring Programme, we opportunistically analysed seafloor macrolitter items trawled from various locations around the coast of England and Wales and examined each for the presence of NNS. Of the 41 litter items analysed, we identified a total of 133 taxa, including two non-native and four cryptogenic species. This confirms that NNS are settling on seafloor macrolitter in UK waters and that these can be detected using morphological taxonomic analysis. Furthermore, we propose a methodology to classify litter based on size, rugosity and polymer/material type to explore whether there were detectable patterns governing community composition and litter characteristics. This exploratory investigation provides evidence to inform future risk assessments of NNS vectors and pathways. • We analysed seafloor litter samples for the presence of non-native species • We found two non-native species on seafloor litter from around the UK • We found four cryptogenic species on seafloor litter from around the UK • We describe a methodology for analysing the litter, by looking at the material composition (e.g., polymers), surface texture and size • We discuss some of the major groups we have found on the litter and how it relates to previous studies [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To inform risk assessments, reliable, time efficient and affordable quantification methods are required for creating a microplastic (MP) pollution baseline in the world's oceans. To facilitate this, MP abundance was investigated in sediments of three contrasting areas of the UK continental shelf: North West of Jones Bank, the Canyons in the Celtic Sea and Dogger Bank in the North Sea, utilising the Nile Red tagging method to assess its time efficiency and cost. Average MP abundance in the top 10 cm was 1050–2700 MP kg−1. MP abundance decreased with increasing sediment depth and increased with increasing water depth. The findings emphasise the extent of MP pollution and illustrate the value of Nile Red for large scale mapping at relatively low cost. [Display omitted] • Three different areas of the UK continental-shelf were investigated for microplastics. • Microplastic abundance increases with water depth and decreases with depth into the sediment. • Microplastic abundance in UK sediments could be as high as 2700 MP kg−1. • Nile Red offers a rapid and low-cost approach to monitoring microplastics on a large scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing abundance of marine litter is impacting the environment, human health and economies in the South Pacific. Small Islands Developing States are particularly affected by marine litter, primarily due to insufficient waste management systems. For the first time, marine litter was quantified and characterised on 13 beaches in Solomon Islands and Vanuatu in the South Pacific region using the OSPAR beach litter monitoring guidelines. A total of 1053 (±1017) and 974 (±745) items of litter per 100 m beach were recorded in Solomon Islands and Vanuatu respectively. Litter composition and distribution show that the majority of the litter comes from local land-based sources and large quantities of fragments and single use plastics were found by cities and river mouths. Actions to reduce single use plastic, improve collection, reuse and recycling, together with outreach campaigns would reduce marine litter significantly in these countries. Furthermore, there is great potential to develop a more circular economy to manage the substantial quantities of recyclable items that were found stranded on the beaches. • The OSPAR protocol was used for the first time in the Pacific Region. • The amount of litter is in the range expected for the South Pacific SIDS. • High numbers of plastic fragments and single use items were found in both countries. • Marine litter includes substantial amounts of recyclables (metal cans, glass bottles). • Marine litter comes from local and land-based sources linked to waste mismanagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whilst Sediment Profile Imaging (SPI) is a very widely used technique in the regulatory assessment of seabed environmental health, and in the study of seafloor sediment-biology interactions, the potential for SPI images to be used in a geochemical context has not been rigorously assessed. Here we have examined relationships between colour and geochemistry in a sediment core collected from the Celtic Sea, North West European Shelf, that was digitally imaged and on which detailed geochemical analyses were also performed. Average oxygen penetration depth was 4.08 ± 0.72 mm, (n = 5), whilst the apparent redox potential discontinuity (aRPD) as determined by sediment colour change was at 78 mm. As iron (oxyhydr)oxides decreased with depth, black sulfide phases increased, and the aRPD most closely correlated with this geochemical change rather than the oxygen penetration depth. Colour analysis of the image showed a clear correlation of brightness with black FeS (acid volatile sulfide). There was a general correlation of iron oxide phases with orange colour in the upper part of the sediment profile, whilst.in the lower part of the core the orange oxide phases appeared to be obscured by the black FeS present. The sulfide-brightness relationship indicates colour analysis can provide an estimate of FeS, and potentially the carrying capacity for toxic metals such as cadmium, zinc and copper as sulfides in this type of sediment. Additionally, detailed geochemical analyses of SPI cores may provide new insights into the activity and impacts of infauna and the link with sediment biogeochemical cycles of carbon and nutrients. • Sediment Profile Image directly linked to geochemical analyses. • Colour of image related to iron phases in this core. • Apparent Redox Potential Discontinuity (aRPD) not coincident with oxygen disappearance. • Caution needed in use of aRPD in benthic sediment quality assessment indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]