The tremendous increases in production of plastic materials have led to an accumulation of plastic pollution worldwide. From 1950 to 2015, the sum total of all types of plastics produced worldwide was calculated in the amount of 5.4 billion tons.Many studies have addressed the physical effects of large-sized plastics on sea bird, turtle and fishes, whereas few have focused on chemicals derived from debris plastic. To clarify the chemicals produced by debris polystyrene (PS) decomposition to give rise to pollution surrounding Japan. From the year 2000 to 2013, 1,500 samples were obtained from all coast lines taken in this study to be comprised of ten isolated islands. All samples were detected styrene oligomer (SO: means theses mixture of styrene monomer, dimer and trimer). Mean SO contamination values surround Japan coastlines were 3.0 µg/L in the water and 500.0 µg/kg in sand. SO contamination in sand was 160 times that in coastal water. The results clearly indicate that, not only does debris PS form micro-size (micro-plastic) potsherd on beaches but also that PS decomposes into SO which subsequently disseminates throughout the ocean. SO causing worldwide ocean pollution has increased by 30,000 times as much in the past 60 years. The basic structural units of plastic pose significantly high risks to marine organism life, ecosystems and certainly, human health as well.<br/>

Styrene oligomer contamination surround Japan in water and sand

255th National Meeting (2018)

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