SFS Annual Meeting

6/06/2024  |   15:30 - 15:45   |  Independence Ballroom C

Contribution of mountain tourism to transport and storage of plastic pollution in riparian-stream ecosystems High-mountain freshwater environments are commonly considered pristine areas where anthropogenic impact is low. However, the intensification of human tourist activities in these regions has led to the spread of plastic pollution. Our study explores and quantifies the influence of mountain tourism on plastic transport and storage in riparian headwater stream ecosystems as they are the sources to downstream ecosystem exports. The study areas are located in the Pyrenees of Andorra and Catalonia, which show different levels of human pressure, associated with presence of touristic villages, ski resorts and hiking areas, and encompass different pollution management strategies. To approach the objective, we developed survey protocols for plastic quantification and identification in the riparian area, stream water column, streambed sediments and epilithic biofilms. We will present the results of macro- (> 5 cm) and mesoplastic (50 – 5 mm) presence in riparian areas, which are indicative of the link between tourism activities and stream plastic pollution. Results indicate that riparian areas act as transient storage zones of larger plastics, with higher values around the influence area of ski resorts (531 MacP ha-1 ± 209) than around urban areas (328 MacP ha-1 ± 249) in both countries. In contrast, the chemical composition of plastics did not reflect differences among the different tourism pressure. The holistic approach of this study demonstrates how mountain tourism can contribute to plastic pollution and confirms that fluvial ecosystems, even those located in headwaters at high elevations, are remarkable sources of plastic pollution that eventually will be transported downstream.

Delfina Cornejo (Primary Presenter/Author), Center for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Spain, dcornejo@ceab.csic.es;

Eugènia Martí (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Center for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), eugenia@ceab.csic.es;

Henar Margenat (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Laboratoire écologie fonctionnelle et environnement, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse, France, henar.margenat-hervas@univ-tlse3.fr;

Joaquim Serra (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Department of Materials Science and Physical Chemistry. Faculty of Chemistry. Universitat de Barcelona, joaquimserra@ub.edu;

Mònica Martínez (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Department of Materials Science and Physical Chemistry. Faculty of Chemistry. Universitat de Barcelona, monicamartinez@ub.edu;

Helena Guasch (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Center for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Spain, helena.guasch@ceab.csic.es;

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6/06/2024  |   15:45 - 16:00   |  Independence Ballroom C

Spatial distribution of anthropogenic litter within a large urban river Anthropogenic litter (i.e., trash; AL) is persistent, mobile, and interacts with the physical and chemical components of aquatic ecosystems. Rivers are considered a major source of AL to downstream ecosystems; however, AL movement and distribution within rivers have not been well studied. In particular, the distribution of AL assessments in large rivers (i.e., non-wadable sites) is challenging to measure. We used community science datasets, combined with direct measurements of AL by scientists, to assess the distribution of AL across distinct habitats in a large river: floating island, seawall, riparian vegetation, rocky shore, and dock. All data was collected in the North Branch Chicago River in Chicago, IL, USA. In 2020, 2021, and 2022, community scientists (i.e., volunteers) collected AL within marked reaches of the river habitats. In 2023, scientists conducted the same analysis at a similar site ~5 km upstream of the volunteer study reaches. Scientists and volunteers used kayaks for manual AL collection and categorized AL with identical datasheets. We expected complex habitats would have more AL, and that most AL would be plastic fragments and food packaging. We also expected to see more AL collected per unit effort during the scientist-run collection relative to the volunteers. Results will show how AL is distributed in a large urban river according to habitat type. In addition, these data will inform how community science datasets can best be used to quantify AL dynamics in urban rivers, thereby informing improved watershed models and prevention efforts.

Emily Johnson (Primary Presenter/Author), Loyola University Chicago, ejohnson33@luc.edu;

Phil Nicodemus (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Urban Rivers, phil@urbanriv.org;

Maggie Cooper (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Shedd Aquarium, mcooper@sheddaquarium.org;

Jaclyn Wegner (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Shedd Aquarium, JWEGNER@sheddaquarium.org;

Timothy Hoellein (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Loyola University Chicago, thoellein@luc.edu;

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6/06/2024  |   16:00 - 16:15   |  Independence Ballroom C

FLOOD EVENTS INFLUENCE MACROPLASTIC INPUTS AND OUTPUTS AT THE WATERSHED SCALE Rivers are a major source of plastic to oceans. Plastic movement in rivers is likely timed with flooding, but the influence of individual flood events on plastic inputs and outputs are not well quantified. We studied macroplastic (i.e., > 5mm) transport in 3 watersheds, each with 4 study sites. At each site (N=12), we established six reaches (50-80 m): three designated ‘leave’ and three ‘collect’. In leave reaches, we visually recorded all macroplastics before and after a flood. In collect reaches, we removed all macroplastics before and after the flood. The differences in macroplastic in leave reaches before and after the flood was net macroplastic flux, and in collect reaches the material that appeared after the flood was macroplastic input. We calculated macroplastic output as the difference between net flux and input. Net macroplastic flux was variable among sites; however, all floods generated input and output of macroplastics at the study reaches. Input and output were positively correlated with watershed population density and urban land use, while net flux was not correlated with watershed characteristics. Results suggest that even when macroplastic density does not appear to fluctuate with floods (i.e., low net flux), the assemblage of items changes. Thus, total macroplastic movement (i.e., input and output) is not captured by comparisons of before- and after-flood abundance alone. These data will directly contribute to improved models of plastic flux according to hydrologic variation at the watershed-scale, and thereby refine global models of the plastic cycle.

Timothy Hoellein (Primary Presenter/Author), Loyola University Chicago, thoellein@luc.edu;

Bailey Schwenk (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Loyola University Chicago, bschwenk@luc.edu;

Olivia Schaul (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Loyola University Chicago, oschaul@luc.edu;

Elizabeth Kazmierczak (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Loyola University Chicago, ekaz0103@gmail.com;

Fritz Petersen (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Case Western Reserve University, fxp120@case.edu;

Emily Lever (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), University of New Hampshire, Emily.Lever@unh.edu;

Shan Zuidema (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), University of New Hampshire, shan.zuidema@unh.edu;

Xia Zhu (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), University of Toronto, alicexia.zhu@mail.utoronto.ca;

Jacob Haney (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), University of Toronto, jacob.haney@utoronto.ca;

Richard Lammers (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), University of New Hampshire, Richard.Lammers@unh.edu;

Chelsea Rochman (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), University of Toronto, chelsearochman@gmail.com;

Wilfred M. Wollheim (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), University of New Hampshire, wil.wollheim@unh.edu;

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6/06/2024  |   16:15 - 16:30   |  Independence Ballroom C

Delineating the source of macroplastics and litter in suburban and urban first order streams Aquatic plastic pollution can have a wide range of negative ecological impacts, including harming the digestive health of aquatic organisms and increasing the potential bioaccumulation of heavy metals. Few studies have investigated the distribution of macroplastics in riverine environments, with even fewer studies focused in upstream areas, despite its substantial role in the delivery of plastics to the ocean. Yet, understanding the sources of plastics to headwater systems could help society take meaningful measures to prevent its introduction to waterways. We collected and categorized litter, including macroplastics (>4mm in diameter), from 20 suburban and urban headwater streams in southeastern Pennsylvania to gain greater insight into its abundance and potential ecosystem impacts. Litter was collected from both the stream channel and banks along a 50-m longitudinal transect immediately downstream of stormwater outlets where streams daylighted over 4 temporal intervals: Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring. Litter was categorized in accordance with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris Shoreline Survey Field Guide. In total, over 2,000 macroplastics were collected. Plastic film fragments, plastic bags, and food wrappers were the three most commonly identified items. Subcategory and absolute totals of macroplastics were compared to potential controlling parameters such as relative land cover, population density, and socioeconomic variables in the upstream area. The effectiveness of recently passed plastic bag ordinances is also explored. Collectively, the data suggest the need for public education campaigns, additional municipal plastic ordinances, and other litter prevention measures to protect the ecosystem health of suburban and urban riverine ecosystems.

Steven T. Goldsmith (Primary Presenter/Author), Villanova University, steven.goldsmith@villanova.edu;

Mikaela R. Anthony (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Villanova University, mantho03@villanova.edu;

Lisa J. Rodrigues (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Villanova University, lisa.rodrigues@villanova.edu;

Hannah Z. Feldman (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Villanova University, hfeldm01@villanova.edu;

Emma H. Spangler (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Villanova University, espang01@villanova.edu;

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6/06/2024  |   16:30 - 16:45   |  Independence Ballroom C

Enhancing Sustainable Freshwater Fisheries Management in Tropical Regions: Critical Review This review critically examines the urgent need to enhance sustainable freshwater fisheries management in the tropical regions amidst escalating pressures on aquatic ecosystems from population growth, climate change, and anthropogenic activities. Unique challenges faced by tropical freshwater environments underscore the necessity for targeted management strategies. The review meticulously explores the intricate dynamics of fish populations, habitat conditions, and socio-economic factors that significantly shape the outcomes of fisheries management initiatives. Key areas of focus encompass the implementation of science-based approaches for unraveling fish population dynamics, assessing the repercussions of climate change on tropical freshwater ecosystems, and innovatively addressing the impacts of human activities on aquatic habitats. The review also delves into the socioeconomic dimensions, emphasizing the reliance of local communities on freshwater fisheries for sustenance and livelihoods. In its pursuit of sustainability enhancement, the review strives to identify and propose adaptive management practices harmonizing with the ecological and socio-economic context of tropical freshwater environments. This involves a critical evaluation of existing regulatory frameworks, exploration of community-based management approaches, and advocacy for policy measures conducive to the enduring health and resilience of freshwater fisheries in tropical regions. By synthesizing scientific insights with considerations of community engagement and policy formulation, this review aspires to present an integrative framework for advancing the sustainable management of freshwater fisheries in tropical regions. The overarching goal is to ensure the preservation of biodiversity while securing the well-being of communities reliant on these essential aquatic resources.

Ibrahim` Muhammad Magami (Primary Presenter/Author), Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. Department of Biology. PMB, ibrahim.magami@udusok.edu.ng;

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