Marine debris produces a wide variety of negative environmental, economic, safety, health and cultural impacts. Most marine litter has a very low decomposition rate (as plastics, which are the most abundant type of marine debris), leading to a gradual, but significant accumulation in the coastal and marine environment. Along that time, marine debris is a significant source of chemical contaminants to the marine environment. Once extracted from the water, incineration is the method most widely used to treat marine debris. Other treatment methods have been tested, but they still need some improvement and so far have only been used in some countries. Several extraction and collection programs have been carried out. However, as marine debris keep entering the sea, these programs result insufficient and the problem of marine debris will continue its increase. The present work addresses the environmental impact and social aspects of the marine debris, with a review of the state of the art in the treatments of this kind of waste, together with an estimation of the worldwide occurrence and characteristics.

/pdf/marine-debris-occurrence-and-treatment-a-review-4jxmi43iup.pdf

Marine debris occurrence and treatment: A review

https://rua.ua.es/dspace/bitstream/10045/40237/3/2013_Conesa_etal_Chemosphere.pdf

Decomposition of two types of electric wires considering the effect of the metal in the production of pollutants

http://rua.ua.es/dspace/bitstream/10045/63107/2/2017_Iniguez_etal_MarPolBul_preprint.pdf

Pollutant content in marine debris and characterization by thermal decomposition.

This research was funded by Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness (Spain) grant number CTQ2016-76608-R and Valencian Community Government (Spain) grant number PROMETEOII/2014/007.

/pdf/application-of-subcritical-water-to-dechlorinate-polyvinyl-1ymrt1kxx7.pdf

Application of Subcritical Water to Dechlorinate Polyvinyl Chloride Electric Wires

A review of the treatment options for marine plastic waste in South Africa.

Underground cables form an efficient and environmentally attractive means by which to supply electrical power and transmit information. Cables for both energy and data transmission are designed and manufactured for many years of problem-free operation, normally in the range of 10 to 30 years. However, it is clear that, for a variety of reasons, these cables will reach a point at which they can no longer operate, the so-called end of life (EOL). At this point, actions need to be taken on the fate of these cables. Often the decision may be either leave in situ or remove. This paper focuses on some of the many issues that need to be faced when the remove option is selected. The paper does not explicitly address the issues associated with disposal of paper cables, which have the added complexities of mixed materials: paper and polymer, oil, and lead. However, it should be noted that some of the considerations (separation of metals, the importance of separation, reuse of materials that are no longer approved, and disposal of insulation materials) are likely.

R.N. Hampton

Papers

Disposal of cables at the "end of life"; some of the environmental considerations