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SFS Annual Meeting

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ANTHROPOGENIC LITTER ON CHICAGO BEACHES RAUL LAZCANO, LAUREN WISBROCK, ANNA VINCENT, TIMOTHY HOELLEIN

Anthropogenic litter (i.e., trash; AL) accumulates on beaches worldwide, which negative ecological and economic impacts. Previous work examined density and composition of AL on Great Lakes beaches, but factors which drive the spatial distribution of AL are not well known. We predict AL distribution will accumulate in the same patterns as coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM) We measured AL and organic matter on four beaches in Chicago, IL. At each beach we collected data at transect adjacent to a pier/sea wall and a non-pier transect. Each transect location was divided into habitats: upland, beach, and strand line. We collected all CPOM and AL within 1m on either side of each habitat. AL was counted and categorized, and CPOM dried and weighed. Significant positive relationships between CPOM and total AL show sites with enhanced CPOM retention (i.e., strand, pier) also have highest AL density. However, the relationship was not universal across all AL types (e.g., cigarette butts), some of which have even distribution through the beach. The data obtained will inform beach grooming protocols and management efforts to reduce AL pollution.

Raul Lazcano (Primary Presenter/Author), Loyola University Chicago, rlazcanogonzalez@luc.edu;