NAME:

CHILAKA DIEPREYE

MATRIC NO:

FMEM/MEP/18/19/012

COUERSE:

MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

AND POLUTION CONTROL

 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Plastics are synthetic organic polymers prepared by the polymerization of monomers derived

from oil or gas. About 8% of global oil production goes towards the production of plastics

(Andrady, Neal, 2021). Different types of plastics are made by the addition of various chemical

additives to the polymers. The most commonly used plastics are low-density polyethylene

(LDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene

(PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), nylon, teflon and thermoplastic polyurethane

(TPU). The diversity of polymers and the versatility of their properties (low cost, excellent

oxygen/moisture barrier properties, electrical and thermal insulation properties, bio-inertness,

light weight, etc.) enabled them to be used in variety of applications to improve resource use

efficiency in sectors ranging from packaging, appliance, agriculture, construction, automobile to

healthcare and hygiene. Thus, plastics find an important role in transforming everyday human

life and the usage is increasing markedly. The increase in the use of plastics has created waste

management issues with the discarded end-of-life plastics accumulating in landfills and in

natural habitats (Thompson, Moore, Saal, Swan, 2022).

The very same versatile properties such as durability, bio-inertness, light weight and buoyancy

are the major culprits for causing problems in the environment. As the plastics are made durable

by adding different additives to the petrochemical compounds extracted from oil, the

microorganisms do not recognize plastics as their food and do not degrade them. Physical forces

such as winds, waves and ultraviolet radiation can disintegrate larger plastics to smaller

fragments and monomers in the marine environment. The longevity of plastics is a matter for
some debate, and estimates range from hundreds to thousands of years. It is considered that (with

the exception of materials that have been incinerated) all of the conventional plastic that has ever

been introduced into the environment still remains to date un-mineralized either as whole items

or as fragments (Thompson, et.al. 2021) . Highly buoyant nature of most of the plastic debris

aids in transport of these debris along with the currents for thousands of miles, affecting the

global environment, and can be rightly called as a trans-boundary pollutant.

The global plastic consumption has been estimated at 260 million tonnes in 2008, and the

consumption is to reach 297.5 million tons by 2015 (Global Industry Analysts, 2019). The

increasing demand for plastics is due to production of goods and its usage in packaging of

various items. At present, plastic is the material of choice in nearly half of all the packaged goods

and packaging represents largest single sector accounting for about 35 per cent of total plastic

consumption. The demand potential for plastics in India is likely to double from current levels of

about 10 million metric tonnes (MMT) to about 20 MMT by 2015. In terms of waste generated,

plastics account for approximately nine per cent of 1.2 lakh tonnes per day of municipal solid

wastes in India.

Plastics are dumped into the environment intentionally or unintentionally. Thus, the quantity of

plastic debris entering the marine environment is almost parallel to their level of production over

the last half century . Such plastic debris composed of fragments of manufactured plastic

products (user plastic) and pre-production plastic pellets (industrial pellets, virgin pellets, plastic

resin beads or nurdles). Plastic debris on beaches and in coastal waters originates from a wide

and diverse range of sources. The sources of plastic debris can be broadly classified into land-

based sources and sea-based sources. The land-based plastics include tourism-related and

sewage-related debris. The tourism-related debris, mainly consists of direct discard by beach
users such as food and beverage packaging material, beach toys and recreational articles. The

sewage-related debris includes the garbage from domestic and street discards that enter the sewer

or drains. Land-based debris can enter the beach and coastal environment through drains, or can

be blown, washed or discharged directly from the land. The sea-based debris include fishing-

related, and ship or boatrelated. Fishing lines, nets and ropes, floats and bait packaging material,

those are lost accidentally or dumped intentionally into the ocean, constitute fishing-related

debris. The ship- or boat-related plastic debris includes the garbage such as food and beverage

packaging, toiletries, etc. used in the ship or boat. However, the study intends to examine the

implication of plastic debris on mangrove in some selected region.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Plastic debris pollution is a significant environmental issue that threatens marine and coastal

ecosystems worldwide. Mangroves, which are complex and productive ecosystems found in

intertidal areas, are particularly vulnerable to plastic debris pollution due to their proximity to

human activities (Duke et al., 2013). Plastic debris can have a range of negative impacts on

mangrove ecosystems, including physical damage to the mangrove plants and entanglement of

animals, which can ultimately lead to declines in biodiversity and ecosystem services (Nelms et

al., 2018).

Despite growing concerns about the implications of plastic debris on mangroves, there is still a

lack of comprehensive research on this topic, particularly in selected regions. Previous studies

have focused primarily on plastic debris accumulation and its impact on biodiversity and

ecosystem functions in general, but few have examined the implications of plastic debris on

mangrove ecosystems specifically. For example, a study by Chua et al. (2020) found that plastic

debris accumulation in mangrove forests in Singapore was significantly higher than in adjacent
coastal areas, but the study did not examine the effects of this accumulation on mangrove

biodiversity or ecosystem functions.

Several key research questions will guide this study, including: What are the sources and types of

plastic debris in mangrove ecosystems in selected regions? What is the extent of plastic debris

pollution in mangrove ecosystems, and how does it vary across different regions and habitats?

What are the impacts of plastic debris on mangrove biodiversity and ecosystem services, and

how do these impacts vary across different regions and habitats

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main objective of this study is to examine the implications of plastic debris on mangrove in

selected region.

Specific objectives include;

i. To determine the types and sources of plastic debris in selected mangrove regions

ii. To assess the extent and distribution of plastic debris in mangroves

iii. To evaluate the ecological and economic implications of plastic debris on mangroves

1.4 Research Questions

i. What are the different types of plastic debris present in the selected mangrove

regions?

ii. What is the distribution of plastic debris within the mangrove ecosystems?

iii. What are the economic consequences of plastic debris pollution in mangrove

ecosystems?
1.6 Significance of the Study

This study will contribute to our understanding of the implications of plastic debris on mangrove

ecosystems in selected regions. The findings of this study will provide important information for

managers and policymakers to develop effective strategies to mitigate plastic debris pollution in

mangrove ecosystems. Additionally, the study will raise awareness among the public about the

harmful effects of plastic debris on coastal ecosystems and the need for responsible waste

management practices..

1.7 Scope of the Study

This study will focus on the implications of plastic debris on mangrove ecosystems in three

selected communities, namely Kurutie, Okerenkoko, and Oporoza in Delta State, Nigeria. The

study will examine the types and sources of plastic debris, as well as the extent and distribution

of plastic debris within the mangrove ecosystems of these communities. The ecological and

economic implications of plastic debris pollution will also be evaluated, with a focus on the

impacts on mangrove biodiversity and ecosystem services in the selected communities.

While this study will provide important insights into the implications of plastic debris on

mangrove ecosystems in these three communities, it is not intended to be a comprehensive

assessment of all mangrove ecosystems in Delta State or Nigeria. Additionally, the study will not

address broader social and cultural factors that may influence plastic debris pollution and waste

management practices in these communities.

.
1.8 Limitations of the study

Financial constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in

sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection

(internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint: The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic

work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

Finally, the researcher is restricted only to the evidence provided by the participants in the

research and therefore cannot determine the reliability and accuracy of the information provided.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Plastic Debris: Plastic debris refers to any human-made plastic material that has been discarded

or lost in the environment, including but not limited to packaging, single-use products, fishing

gear, and microplastics. Plastic debris can vary in size, shape, and composition, and can persist in

the environment for years or even centuries, posing a threat to wildlife and ecosystems.

Mangrove: Mangrove refers to a group of salt-tolerant trees and shrubs that grow in intertidal

zones of tropical and subtropical coastlines. Mangroves are characterized by their ability to adapt

to harsh environmental conditions, including fluctuating water levels, high salinity, and low

oxygen levels. They form dense, interwoven root systems that help stabilize coastlines, prevent

erosion, and provide important habitat for a variety of marine and terrestrial species. The term

mangrove can also refer to the unique ecosystems that are dominated by these tree species.
Implication: Implication refers to the consequences or effects of plastic debris pollution on the

ecological and socio-economic aspects of mangrove ecosystems.

1.8. Organization of the study

The study comprises of five chapters which are chapter one; background to the study, the

statement of the problem, the research questions, research objectives, research hypotheses,

significance of the study, the scope and the organization of the study. The chapter two comprises

of the literature review, conceptual clarification, theoretical review and empirical review. The

chapter three is on the methodology and chapter four is on presentation and analyst the final

chapter is the summary, conclusion and recommendation.

References

Andrady A.L. Neal M.A (2021). Applications and societal benefits of plastics. Phil Trans Roy

Soc B 2021; 364:1977-1984

Duke, N. C., Kovacs, J. M., Griffiths, A. D., Preece, L., Hill, D. J., & Van Oosterzee, P. (2013).

Large-scale dieback of mangroves in Australia’s Gulf of Carpentaria: a severe ecosystem

response, coincidental with an unusually extreme weather event. Marine and Freshwater

Research, 64(8), 690-699.

Global Industry Analysts (2019) Plastics: A Global Outlook. Global Industry Analysts, San Jose,

California. http://www.strategyr.com/Plastics_Industry_Market_Repo rt.asp. 2019.

Nelms, S. E., Duncan, E. M., Broderick, A. C., Galloway, T. S., & Godley, B. J. (2018). Ghosts

of the coast: global patterns in the occurrence of ghost fishing gear in marine ecosystems.

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plastic debris. Science 2021; 310:1117.

Thompson, R.C., Moore, C.J., Saal, F.S., Swan, S.H. (2022). Plastics, the environment and

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