Effects of seafloor macrolitter on marine organisms and its ecological impacts

Abstract:

Seafloor macrolitter has been recognized as a major part of marine litter, while it is the least investigated fraction of marine litter.Seafloor macrolitter is not biodegradable and transferable. Therefore, it can directly alter the marine environment and bottom sediment, and indirectly threat the health of marine ecosystem by impacting the survival and growth of marine organisms. This study retrospected the studies on the ecological impacts of seafloor macrolitter from the perspective of colonization, entanglement,encirclement and ingestion, and pointed to future developments that are required to address the estimation of seafloor macrolitter. Knowledge of this study could provide scientific support for the evaluation of potential impacts on marine biodiversity, as well as the monitor and management of seafloor macrolitter.