Occurrence, characterization, partition, and toxicity of cigarette butts in a highly urbanized coastal area

Author(s)

Lima, Christiane Freire ^[1] ; dos Santos Pinto, Mariana Amaral ^[1] ; Choueri, Rodrigo Brasil ^[1] ; Moreira, Lucas Buruaem ^[1] ; Castro, Italo Braga ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Inst Mar, Santos, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: WASTE MANAGEMENT; v. 131, p. 10-19, JUL 15 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Cigarette butts (CBs) comprise one of the most relevant categories of marine litter worldwide. This study was structured as a case study simultaneously assessing (i) the occurrence of CBs in a highly urbanized coastal area, (ii) their partitioning in two environmental compartments (water column and sediments) by laboratory settling tests, and (iii) the toxicity produced by the CBs leachates (measured as copepod reproduction). Marine litter was sampled in beaches of the city of Santos (SW Brazil) and CBs were collected for analysis. The characterization showed that CBs were one of the most prevalent items (51.5% in summer and 34.4% in winter) and 22 cigarettes brands were identified at different stages of decomposition. Laboratory settling tests showed that CBs remain in the water column between 3 and 20 days, subsequently reaching the sediments. The toxicity results indicated that CBs the leachates extracted from a small amount of CBs was sufficient to affect copepod reproduction (0.1 and 0.01 CBs L-1). Furthermore, the approaches adopted by the present study can serve as a preliminary assessment to estimate local impacts resulting from inadequate disposal of cigarette butts in coastal areas around the world. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/13750-4 - Occurrence, partitioning, toxicity and degradation to cigarette butts in coastal areas
• Grantee: Ítalo Braga de Castro
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants