Amount Of Debris Research Articles

Occurrence of macroplastic debris in the long-term plastic film-mulched agricultural soil: A case study of Northwest China

Widespread presence of plastic mulch has led to macroplastic (MaP) pollution. While this issue is widely explored in aquatic ecosystems, MaP pollution on land has been neglected. In 2019, we conducted a large-scale survey of MaPs in Northwest China in 0–30 cm soil with long-term mulching. Samples of MaP debris were collected from 67 sites across Gansu, east Qinghai, and north Shannxi Provinces. All visible MaP pieces for each site were separated and weighed. The mass of each MaP piece was calibrated by size measured in digital images. The MaP mass averaged 47.2 kg ha−1, and the number of MaPs averaged 266.2 pieces ha−1. The mass and number of MaPs varied from site to site. The mean size of MaPs was 19.5 cm2 piece−1 or 28.0 mg piece−1. More importantly, the number of small MaP pieces (<5 and 5–20 cm2 piece−1) accounted for 76.7% of the total number of MaPs detected, and small-sized plastic debris (<10 and 10–25 mg piece−1) were detected in 70.1% of the sampling sites. The percentage of small fragments increased before 15-year of mulching and then declined. However, the amount of medium-large debris (20–50 and >50 cm2 piece−1) showed a trend opposite to that of small fragments. The percentage of MaPs was greater in the small size group than in the medium-large size group. The arid to semi-arid area exhibited higher MaP contamination compared with the semi-arid to the semi-humid area. These observations indicate that plastic debris residing in soil tend to be fragmented, making plastic film recovery more challenging and causing severe soil pollution. Further studies are required to regulate plastic mulch methods and explore the degradation process.

Potential of space science technology for water infrastructure management

This article examines the potential of space science technology for water infrastructure (WI) management. It defines space technology in detail, and when South Africa (SA) started using it as a tool. To explain the context, the different types of orbits, altitudes, and functions of satellites are given, as well as the challenges that satellites encounter in orbit, including the quantity and sizes of orbital debris also known as space junk. The article articulates the international and local challenges to WI and further introduces space technology as a tool that can assist to overcome the challenges. Legislation governing the application of space technology in SA is discussed and the different satellites owned by the various space agencies of Africa are outlined. A discussion on how space technology has boosted the economies and employment in Africa and South Africa is provided. How the various applications of the technology, such as remote sensing (RS), Earth observation (Eo), Geo-Information sciences, navigation, communication, safety, and security can assist WI management are discussed. Details about the involvement of various African and SA universities and colleges in space science programmes that benefit the communities are explained. Also outlined are some experiments performed on the International Space Station (ISS) that benefit the Earth and that could be useful to WI management.

The Estimated Carbon Cost of Concrete Building Demolitions following the Canterbury Earthquake Sequence

The 2010/2011 Canterbury Earthquake Sequence caused severe economic impacts and community disruption in Christchurch, New Zealand due to damage from liquefaction and strong shaking. Following the earthquake, approximately 7500 dwellings and 1400 commercial properties were demolished, resulting in 4 million tons of building debris. Using the Canterbury event, and the subsequent building demolitions in Christchurch as a case study, this research quantifies the embodied carbon and energy costs associated with the post-earthquake demolition of buildings prior to the end of their intended design life. A building data set consisting of 142 reinforced concrete buildings that were demolished following the event was used to estimate the total amount of structural and non-structural debris resulting from the demolitions. A framework was developed to calculate the global warming potential of the demolished buildings considering embodied CO2 and energy in the building materials, impacts of the processes used in construction of the building, and CO2 emissions of the transport and waste management processes. A life cycle assessment tool was used to calculate the environmental costs in the production and transport module, the spatial distribution of the waste based on the building locations was calculated to determine transport distances to disposal facilities, and the waste disposal and recycling benefits were calculated using values from a life cycle inventory database. The results of the research revealed the demolition of concrete buildings had staggering environmental costs in terms of embodied CO2 and energy, which make the case for both resilient design strategies that reduce waste and pollution following earthquakes, and incorporating environmental impacts into demolition decisions.

Predominant climate control on green leaf decomposition across subtropical rain and dry forests following hurricane disturbances

Hurricanes defoliate canopy and break tree branches and stems, generating large amount of plant debris in forest ecosystems. Forest recovery after hurricane disturbances relies heavily on the decomposition of these plant debris. Here we addressed the “tropical hierarchy of factors” hypothesis that substrate quality replaces climate as the predominant control on plant litter decomposition in tropical forests. We compared leaf decomposition between subtropical rain and dry forests on the island of Puerto Rico by reciprocally transplanting green-leaf litter between rain (Eugenia borinquensis leaves with higher C/N) and dry (Bucida buceras leaves with lower C/N) forests following hurricanes Irma and Maria. We show that leaf decomposed substantially faster in subtropical rain than dry forests, and for high-than low-quality substrates. Over a period of 536 days of field incubation, loss of leaf ash-free dry mass was 51.8% for B. buceras and 26.6% for E. borinquensis in the rainforest, 15.7% for B. buceras and near zero for E. borinquensis in the dry forest. We also found that soil arthropod density was more than 10-folds greater in the rainforest than in the dry forest and was only more than 2-folds greater in the low C/N litterbags than the high C/N litterbags. Analyses of structural equation model revealed that leaf decomposition rate correlated positively with total arthropod abundance in the rainforest and only with Oribatida abundance in the dry forest. The number of effective linkages among leaf C/N, precipitation and arthropods was greater in the subtropical rainforest (19) than in the dry forest (4), but did not vary between B. buceras (12) and E. borinquensis (11) substrates in the rainforest. We conclude that climate, rather than substrate quality, remains to be the predominant control on leaf decomposition across subtropical rain and dry forests following hurricane disturbances, and the controls of substrate quality on leaf decomposition is inferior and climate dependent.

Influence of ultrasound‐assisted extraction techniques on the valorization of agro‐based industrial organic waste – A review

AbstractOne of the world's promising sectors is food processing. A huge amount of waste is generated during the handling and value addition of agricultural commodities. So researches focus on extracting valuable compounds from organic waste to increase the economical value. On the other hand, the amount of debris is also reduced, which helps sustainable development and carbon footprints. Extractable compounds can be used as an alternative to synthetic compounds in food applications. For this, Ultrasound‐Assisted Extraction (UAE) captures the researcher's attention because of its advantages like less solvent utilization, low‐temperature operation, and eco‐friendly end products. This review recapitulates the mechanism and the factors affecting the extraction and possibility of compounds extracted from waste. The green separation ultrasound‐aided technique has been proven to provide higher extractable compounds. Usage of water as a solvent further reduces environmental and economic problems. By considering all of these advantages, this article discusses the mechanism, elements affecting the extraction, and the effect of combination treatment on properties and the outcome of extraction. It presents the details about the application of the UAE in the valorization of waste compounds.Practical applicationFood processing is one of the most promising sectors globally; the agricultural organic waste created by this sector plays a significant part in waste generation. Extracting valuable active compounds from this waste can improve the utilization of natural compounds in other foods, help obtain extra income, and help reuse industrial waste. Ultrasound‐assisted extraction is a suitable technology for extracting valuable compounds from organic waste. Optimum process conditions must be identified, which vary based on process conditions and extractable material nature to obtain the maximum extraction.

Weapons Reviews for ASATs: Assessing Distinction, Proportionality, and Effects on the Natural Environment of Space

Kinetic anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons are increasingly being developed and tested in the twentyfirst century. A Chinese ground-to-space missile test in 2007 hastened a new form of ‘space race’ involving other superpowers kinetically destroying their own satellites: in 2008, the USA; in 2019, India; and in 2021, Russia. These tests created large amounts of space debris. Some of this is still orbiting the Earth, some has already collided with other satellites, and some will probably do so in the future. International humanitarian law (IHL) imposes obligations on states to consider whether using newly developed, acquired, or adopted weapons is (or would be) consistent with IHL. This article evaluates whether ASAT tests conducted in peacetime are legitimate in terms of IHL peacetime obligations, and whether kinetic attacks on satellites during armed conflict would also conform with IHL obligations, especially the preservation of the natural environment.

뉴 스페이스 시대의 우주무기화에 대한 국제법적 고찰: 국제인도법 원칙을 중심으로

Space development, which started in earnest from the Cold War between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, has now entered the so-called New-Space era. Private entities are playing a more leading role in the development of the outer space than the militaries and governments. This New-Space will bring more convenience and benefits to our lives. Meanwhile, as we has become more dependent on space, our vulnerability to the space environment is getting bigger. Low-Earth orbit is experiencing unprecedented congestion due to the increase in the number of newly launched satellites and junk satellites that do not work any more. This vulnerability will be further exacerbated by the space-weaponization movements where states seek to gain space superiority by using space militarily. Under these circumstances, if an armed conflict take place in the outer space, collateral damage to the civilian sector is highly likely to occur. Therefore, a careful approach is required in selecting the target, means, and method of attack in an armed conflict in the outer space. We should consider the most important norms under international humanitarian law. These are the principle of distinction, the principle of proportionality, the principle of prevention, and the principle of prohibition of indiscriminate attacks. A person planning an armed attack should make a clear distinction between military satellites and commercial satellites in determining the target of the attack and can attack only on military objectives that makes an effective contribution to military activities in nature, location, purpose, and use, and that bring definite advantages to the armed forces. In addition, in case of attacking a dual-use space object which serves as commercial and military purposes, a person planning the attack should consider the damage to the civilian sector. Furthermore, all practicable measures should be taken to avoid and minimize such collateral damage, and indiscriminate attack is also prohibited. In terms of methods of attack, various attack methods such as directed energy weapons, electromagnetic pulse attack weapons, electronic attack weapons, and cyber attacks have been developed to be used in the outer space as well as the kinetic ASAT weapons. Kinetic ASAT attacks that generate a large amount of space debris should be avoided because the damage to civilians and civilian objects by space debris can be huge. Therefore, an attack in the outer space should be conducted in a non-kinetic method. Even among the non-kinetic methods, only those methods that temporarily disrupt or disable the function of a satellite should be permitted in order to minimize the damage to civilians while achieving military objectives.

Ingestion and characterization of plastic debris by loggerhead sea turtle, Caretta caretta, in the Balearic Islands

Plastic waste has become ubiquitous pollutants in seas and oceans and can affect a wide range of species. For some marine species, plastic debris could pose a considerable threat through entanglement, ingestion, and habitat degradation and loss. Sea turtles are one of the most sensitive species, as their migratory behaviour and multifaceted life cycles make these reptiles especially vulnerable to the negative effects of plastic debris. The present study aimed to assess the amount and composition of plastic debris ingested by loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta, Linnaeus, 1758) in the Balearic Islands Sea, thusly providing new information to complete the knowledge for this topic. In this work, 45 stranded dead C. caretta specimens were necropsied, and their digestive tract content analysed for the presence of plastic debris. Plastic objects were observed in 27 individuals (60.0%), with an average of 12.7 ± 4.7 plastic items per turtle. Litter in the faecal pellet was also monitored in 67 living individuals, observing plastic elements in 46 (68.7%) of the specimens, reporting an average of 9.7 ± 3.3 plastic elements per individual. Overall, 785 plastic items were found, measured, weighed and categorized according to size, colour, shape, and type of polymer. The main elements ingested were plastic sheets that were found in 65.3% of the turtles analysed, being white (42.7%) and transparent (29.2%) the most predominant colours. Most elements were macroplastics (59.3%), while microplastics were not found. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FT-IR) analysis showed that high-density polyethylene and polypropylene were the main polymer plastics, representing 42.3% and 33.8% of the total, respectively. In conclusion, the high occurrence of plastic debris determined in the present study evidenced for the first time plastic ingestion in loggerhead turtles in the Balearic Islands, and highlights C. caretta as a bioindicator organism for marine pollution.

Taper Material Loss in Total Hip Replacements: Is It Affected by Joint Friction?

Metal debris and corrosion products generated from the taper junctions of modular joint replacements have been recognized as contributors to failure. Therefore, understanding the factors associated with increased taper wear and corrosion is fundamental to improving implant performance. A cohort of 85 large-diameter metal-on-metal heads and cups retrieved at revision surgery, after 10 to 96 months of service, was evaluated. First, metrology was conducted to quantify head taper material loss and implant articular surface wear. Then, joint frictional moments for each retrieved head-and-cup pair were measured during 10 cycles of simulated physiological gait in a biomechanical model. Taper material loss was evaluated for correlations with frictional moments, articular wear, head diameter, head-cup clearance, and time in vivo. Peak resultant frictional moments ranged from 9.1 to 26.3 Nm, averaging 17.3 ± 2.7 Nm. Fretting and corrosion damage during in vivo service resulted in material loss from the head tapers ranging between 0.04 and 25.57 mm3, compared with combined head and cup articular wear of 0.80 to 351.75 mm3 in this cohort. Taper material loss was not correlated with higher frictional moments (R = -0.20 to 0.11, p = 0.07 to 0.81). Higher frictional moments from axial rotation were correlated with higher head and cup wear (R = 0.33, p < 0.01). The correlation between taper material loss and head diameter was weak and did not reach statistical significance (R = 0.20, p = 0.07). Taper material loss was not correlated with nominal head-cup clearance (R = 0.06, p = 0.6). Finally, taper material loss increased significantly over time (R = 0.34, p < 0.01). Despite serious concerns regarding trunnionosis, volumes of head taper wear were generally lower than those of articular surface wear. There was no statistical correlation between taper wear and frictional moments. Therefore, the results suggest that high friction in metal-on-metal implants does not contribute to higher material loss at the head taper, despite high bending moments. The amount of metal debris and corrosion products from taper junctions of the joint arthroplasties, widely recognized as an insidious cause of failure, was not correlated with joint frictional moments. Multiple factors affect taper wear: implant design, material, size, surface finish, and patient weight and activity level. However, in the present cohort, high friction of metal-on-metal total hip replacements likely did not contribute to increased volume of material loss at taper interfaces, despite increased moments at the locations of taper material loss.

N-3 PUFA Deficiency Affects the Ultrastructural Organization and Density of White Matter Microglia in the Developing Brain of Male Mice.

Over the last century, westernization of dietary habits has led to a dramatic reduction in dietary intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs). In particular, low maternal intake of n-3 PUFAs throughout gestation and lactation causes defects in brain myelination. Microglia are recognized for their critical contribution to neurodevelopmental processes, such as myelination. These cells invade the white matter in the first weeks of the post-natal period, where they participate in oligodendrocyte maturation and myelin production. Therefore, we investigated whether an alteration of white matter microglia accompanies the myelination deficits observed in the brain of n-3 PUFA-deficient animals. Macroscopic imaging analysis shows that maternal n-3 PUFA deficiency decreases the density of white matter microglia around post-natal day 10. Microscopic electron microscopy analyses also revealed alterations of microglial ultrastructure, a decrease in the number of contacts between microglia and myelin sheet, and a decreased amount of myelin debris in their cell body. White matter microglia further displayed increased mitochondrial abundance and network area under perinatal n-3 PUFA deficiency. Overall, our data suggest that maternal n-3 PUFA deficiency alters the structure and function of microglial cells located in the white matter of pups early in life, and this could be the key to understand myelination deficits during neurodevelopment.

Wear debris recognition and quantification in ferrography images by instance segmentation

ABSTRACT Due to the diversity of debris morphologies and their states in the images, automatic wear debris analysis is still a challenge. Instance segmentation is an advanced technique of deep learning used for computer vision tasks. It can detect and delineate each distinct object of interest appearing in an image. An instance segmentation model using a modified mask branch with larger feature map and dilated convolution is proposed and applied to the ferrography images, so that five typical types of wear debris corresponding to different wear conditions can be located, segmented and recognized, even if they are small, blurred or overlapped. The mean average accuracy on the test set is about 88% when the intersection over union threshold is 0.5. This method realizes an end-to-end process of wear debris identification, which can eliminate the error caused by the intermediate steps. And it obtains accurate quantitative debris information, i.e., the type, quantity and size of debris, which provides a solution for intelligent wear debris analysis and automatic wear detection.

International Legal Regulations Concerning Launching of Russian Anti-Satellite Weapon Missiles Reviewed in Space Law Perspective

The development of weapons technology is currently very advanced and competitive, one of which is the Anti-Satellite weapon (ASAT) technology. ASAT has become a real threat to the sustainability of the space environment, this is because ASAT has the potential to damage international peace and security, trigger an arms race, and increase the amount of space debris orbiting the earth. The absence of regulations that specifically regulate ASAT makes countries feel free to conduct anti-satellite missile test launches. For example, in 2021 Russia conducted an ASAT test targeting the Cosmos-1408 satellite. Using normative juridical research and research approaches with statute approach, case approach, and analytical approach, the author wants to study and analyze international legal arrangements regarding the launch of Anti-Satellite Weapon (ASAT) missiles and the legal consequences against Russia as the country that launches Anti-Satellite Weapon (ASAT) missiles. Based on the results of the study, the researchers found that there were no regulations specifically limiting ASAT, but the regulation in question should have been contained in the Outer Space Treaty 1967 as the basis for regulating all activities related to space, then further legal consequences against Russia for launching anti-missile missiles. -satellite, namely Russia is obliged to be responsible in terms of responsibility and liability in terms of liability and is strengthened by the principle of liability based on fault as stated in the Liability Convention 1972.

Quantity and type of coastal debris pollution in Taiwan: A rapid assessment with trained citizen scientists using a visual estimation method

Ongoing monitoring of the distribution and composition of coastal debris is a prerequisite for efficient management and cleanups. Therefore, we conducted a rapid assessment of coastal debris along the 1210 km coastline of Taiwan using a visual estimation method. Forty-nine citizen scientists were intensively trained to correctly identify the volume and types of debris. At 121 sampling locations randomly placed along Taiwan's coastline, the citizen scientists recorded the pollution level and the three most abundant debris types within a 100-m transect during four surveys in 2018–2019. Averaging over the four surveys, the mean amount of coastal debris was estimated to be 406.6 kg/km, and the three most abundant debris types were plastic bottles, foamed plastics, and fishing nets and ropes. Using a statistical test which avoids spatial pseudoreplication, we showed that north-facing coastlines had significantly higher pollution levels than the other coastlines, which we suggest is deposited there during strong winter winds. We also showed that fishery-related debris was a much more important part of coastal debris when the volume of it was determined instead of just the number of items. Mean pollution levels were further associated with wind speed, coastline type, and the distance to presumed pollution sources. Our results compare well with similar surveys conducted in Japan and South Korea. In each country, the debris was highly aggregated, which means it was concentrated in a few highly polluted localities. Therefore, the visual estimation method can effectively guide cleanup efforts to the most polluted areas and also reliably generate long-term monitoring data.

The Environmental Effects of the Innovative Ejectors Plant Technology for the Eco-Friendly Sediment Management in Harbors

A sediment bypassing plant based on innovative jet pump, ejectors, has been tested in the first-of-a-kind demo application at the harbor of Cervia (Italy, Northern Adriatic Sea). The ejector is a jet pump aimed to reduce sediment accumulation in navigation channels and coastal areas. Herein we present results of the first study assessing the potential ecological effects of the ejectors plant. Sediment characteristics, benthic, and fish assemblages before and after the plant activation have been analyzed in the putatively impacted (the sediment removal and discharge) areas and four control locations, one time before and two times after plant activation. Ejectors plant operation resulted in a reduction of the mud and organic matter content in the sediment, as well as in changes in shell debris amount in the impacted areas. Abundance and species richness of benthic macroinvertebrates, initially reduced in the impacted areas, probably due to the previous repeated dredging, returned to higher values during demo plant continuous operation. Higher diversity of fish fauna was observed in the study area during plant operation period. Observed dynamics of the ecological status of the marine habitat suggest that an ejectors plant could represent an eco-friendly solution alternative to dredging operations to solve harbor siltation problems.

Debridement Ability of TruNatomy, S-One Plus, and Other Single File Systems

BACKGROUND: Rotary nickel titanium instrument are an essential part of endodontic treatment, it is important to compare the root canal cleaning ability of these instruments. AIM: This study aimed to compare the amount of smear and debris layer remained following the use of four rotary instruments with an irrigant solution: TruNatomy (TRN), Protaper Next (PTN), S-One Plus and Wave One Gold (WOG). METHODS: A total of 80 extracted mandibular premolars were used and decoronated to the cemento-enamel junction. The roots were randomly divided into four groups of 20 specimens each. The roots were instrumented according to the manufacturer’s instructions of each file, the root canals were irrigated with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), Ethylene-diaminete-traacetic acid (EDTA) and Normal saline with each file use, two grooves were prepared on the buccal and lingual surfaces by disc to facilitate vertical splitting with a chisel. The presence of the smear layer and the debris layer were evaluated under Scanning Electron Microscope. RESULTS: Trunatomy remove the smear layer substantially better than PTN and S-one Plus. Wave one gold significantly removes smear layer better PTN. The amount of debris remained in TruNatomy group was significantly lower than other groups, all experimental files significantly removes the smear layer and debris layer better in the middle and coronal thirds compared to apical third. CONCLUSION: TruNatomy showed better cleaning capacity than all other experimental groups and all experimental groups demonstrated better cleanliness at the coronal and middle third of the roots.

Root Canal Cleaning after Different Irrigation Techniques: An Ex Vivo Analysis.

Background and Objectives: The endodontic space is a complex area on both micro and macro levels; therefore, traditional irrigation techniques may not guarantee a complete cleaning of such a complicated tridimensional system. The presented ex vivo study aimed to evaluate root canal cleanliness, obtained through an equal volume of traditionally applied sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), compared to ultrasonically activated NaOCl and ultrasonically activated NaOCl that had undergone intracanal heating NaOCl. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 freshly extracted human mandibular premolars underwent root sample length standardization (18 mm), root canal preparation and, based on the irrigation method employed, were randomly and equally assigned to three study groups, composed of root samples treated with ultrasonically activated NaOCl, ultrasonically activated NaOCl that had undergone intracanal heating and traditionally applied NaOCl. The root specimens were subsequently fixated with 4% buffered formalin solution and decalcified in Morse liquid. A total often 6-micron-thick serial cross-sections were obtained, dyed using hematoxylin and eosin and examined through an optical microscope at 40×, 100×, and 200×. Results: Ultrasonically activated NaOCl that had undergone intracanal heating showed a significantly smaller amount of debris compared to ultrasonically activated and traditionally applied NaOCl groups (p value < 0.05). Conclusions: Root canal cleanliness saw significant enhancements by ultrasonically activated NaOCl that had undergone intracanal heating.

Analysis of persistent geotropic and apogeotropic positional nystagmus of the lateral canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

ObjectiveThis study aims to analyze the clinical characteristics of persistent geotropic and apogeotropic positional nystagmus of LC-BPPV in view of light and heavy cupula discussion. Material and methodThe study group includes 184 patients with LC BPPV (98 apogeotropic, 86 geotropic type) who have been examined between 2009 and 2020. Ninety-nine females and 85 males, aged between 16 and 92 years were included (Ageotropic 49.32 ± 14.12, geotropic 44.49 ± 13.90 years). Average slow phase velocity (SPV) of positional nystagmus was documented and those with persistent direction-changing positional nystagmus lasting more than a minute were grouped separately. Age, gender difference, side of involvement, and recurrence pattern were particularly reviewed. Chi-square and One way ANOVA tests were used to compare the difference between groups. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. ResultsThirty-seven patients with apogeotropic nystagmus (30.7%; 37/98) and 18 patients with geotropic nystagmus (20.9%; 18/86) had persistent nystagmus (p ˂0.05). Comparison of slow phase velocity (SPV) of persistent and non-persistent geotropic and apogeotropic positional nystagmus of the affected side was significant (p ˂0.05). Comparison of average age, male to female ratio, side of involvement, and the recurrence rate in patients with persistent and non-persistent geotropic and apogeotropic type positional nystagmus groups were not significant (p = 0.177, p = 0.521, p = 0.891, p = 0.702). ConclusionPersistent geotropic and apogeotropic positional nystagmus is mostly correlated with the size, amount, and position of otoconial debris. It is difficult to justify the light cupula as a new geotropic variant of cupular pathology. Patients with persistent positional nystagmus present similar therapeutic outcomes and recurrence rates.

What type of plastic do sea turtles in Korean waters mainly ingest? Quantity, shape, color, size, polymer composition, and original usage

Globally, sea turtles are at high risk of ingesting plastic. However, research on plastic ingestion by sea turtles in East Asia is scant, and no quantitative or qualitative investigation has been conducted in Korean waters. This study examined the plastic ingestion of sea turtles stranded, floating, or incidentally captured in Korean waters between 2012 and 2018. The quantity, shape, color, size, polymer type, and original usage of plastic debris (>1 mm) ingested by sea turtles were analyzed after being sorted from the gastrointestinal tracts of 34 turtles (21 loggerheads (Caretta caretta), 9 green turtles (Chelonia mydas), 2 leatherbacks (Dermochelys coriacea), and 2 olive ridleys (Lepidochelys olivacea)). The ingestion frequencies of greens, loggerheads, olive ridleys, and leatherbacks were 100%, 81%, 50%, and 50%, respectively. The mean amount of plastic ingested was 108 ± 253 mg/kg (38 ± 61 n/ind.). The ingested debris tended to be films and fibers (>80%), light in color (white and transparent; 65%), and light polymers (polyethylene, polypropylene, polypropylene [poly (ethylene:propylene)], expanded polystyrene; 93%). The original uses were identified for 187 pieces; single-use plastics (e.g., plastic bag and packaging) and fishing and aquaculture items (e.g., twine and net) were found to dominate. Green turtles (264 ± 433 mg/kg) ingested significantly higher amounts of plastic than loggerheads (72.8 ± 156 mg/kg). Green turtles ingested mostly fibers (51%), such as rope, twine, and net, while loggerheads ingested largely films (61%), such as plastic bags and packaging. Interspecies differences in quantities and shapes of ingested debris may be related to their distinct feeding habits and geographical range of movement. The present study demonstrates that sea turtles foraging in Korean waters are considerably affected by marine plastic debris, and indicates that proper waste management of single-use plastics and fishing gears is urgently needed to mitigate the damage that plastic debris causes to marine wildlife.

Robotic Cyst Gastrostomy and Roux-en-Y Cyst Jejunostomy for a Bilobed Walled-Off Pancreatic Necroma

BackgroundWalled-off pancreatic necrosis (WON) represents delayed sequelae of necrotizing pancreatitis, generally developing in 5–15% of cases 4 weeks after the initial attack (Boškoski and Costamagna Ann Gastroenterol 27(2):93-94, 2014). They are characterized by a well-circumscribed, encapsulated collection of necrotic parenchyma with variable degree of gland liquefaction (Boškoski and Costamagna Ann Gastroenterol 27(2):93-94, 2014, Khreiss et al. J Gastrointest Surg 19(8):1441-1448, 2015). Although a significant number of WONs are asymptomatic and resolve spontaneously, some will ultimately require endoscopic or surgical intervention (Costa et al. Br J Surg 101(1):e65-e79, 2014). In this video, we demonstrate a robotic cyst gastrostomy and Roux-en-Y cyst jejunostomy performed for two simultaneous and complex WONs. MethodsA 71-year-old female presented with a history of drug-induced necrotizing pancreatitis 2 years prior to surgical referral. This was complicated by the development of two separate WONs in the head and the body of the pancreas measuring 6.5 × 6.5 cm and 9.7 × 7.3 cm respectively, with significant necrotic debris. Due to the continued growth of both WONs and progressive discomfort, the decision was made to pursue simultaneous internal surgical drainage of both lesions using a minimally invasive approach. The procedure was performed using the DaVinci Si HD robotic Surgical System (Intuitive Surgical Inc.) and lasted 180 min with a total blood loss of approximately 25 ml. A cyst gastrostomy and a Roux-en-Y cyst jejunostomy were performed for the body and head WONs respectively following debridement of the necrotic tissue. The patient tolerated the procedure well, had an uneventful postoperative course, and was discharged on post-operative day 7. ConclusionThis case demonstrates that the robotic approach can be a safe and effective modality for the management of technically challenging and complex WONs. Although endoscopic or video-assisted retroperitoneal drainage procedures are alternative treatment modalities for WON, the complexity and size of this bilobed WON, coupled to the significant amount of necrotic debris and the need for a concomitant cholecystectomy, made this case ideal for internal surgical drainage via the robotic approach, since it allowed for definitive treatment with fewer reinterventions (Khreiss et al. J Gastrointest Surg 19(8):1441-1448, 2015).

Plastics in the Indian Ocean – sources, transport, distribution, and impacts

Abstract. Plastic debris is the most common and exponentially increasing human pollutant in the world's ocean. The distribution and impact of plastic in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans have been the subject of many publications but not so the Indian Ocean (IO). Some of the IO rim countries have the highest population densities globally and mismanagement of plastic waste is of concern in many of these rim states. Some of the most plastic-polluted rivers empty into the IO, with all this suggesting that the IO receives a tremendous amount of plastic debris each year. However, the concentration, distribution, and impacts of plastics in the IO are poorly understood as the region is under-sampled compared to other oceans. In this review, we discuss sources and sinks, which are specific to the IO. We also discuss unique atmospheric, oceanographic, and topographic features of the IO that control plastic distribution, such as reversing wind directions due to the monsoon, fronts, and upwelling regions. We identify hotspots of possible plastic accumulation in the IO, which differ between the two hemispheres. In the southern IO, plastics accumulate in a garbage patch in the subtropical gyre. However, this garbage patch is not well defined, and plastics may leak into the southern Atlantic or the Pacific Ocean. There is no subtropical gyre and associated garbage in the northern IO due to the presence of landmasses. Instead, the majority of buoyant plastics most likely end up on coastlines. Finally, we identify the vast knowledge gaps concerning plastics in the IO and point to the most pressing topics for future investigation.