Global simulations of marine plastic transport show plastic trapping in coastal zones

Abstract Global coastlines potentially contain significant amounts of plastic debris, with harmful implications for marine and coastal ecosystems, fisheries tourism. However, the global amount, distribution origin debris on beaches in waters is currently unknown. Here we analyze beaching resuspension scenarios using a Lagrangian particle transport model. Throughout first 5 years after entering ocean, model indicates that at least 77% positively buoyant (PBMPD) released from land-based sources either beached or floating waters, assuming no further removal ocean surface. The highest concentrations PBMPD are found Southeast Asia, caused by high inputs land limited offshore transport, although absolute generally overestimates compared to field measurements. modeled scale only weakly influenced local variations rates due geomorphology. Furthermore, there striking differences regarding debris. In some exclusive economic zones (EEZ), such as Indonesian Archipelago, originates almost entirely within EEZ while other EEZs, particularly remote islands, all arrives sources. Our results highlight important reservoirs between zone open ocean.