title: POPs monitoring in Australia and New Zealand using plastic resin pellets, and International Pellet Watch as a tool for education and raising public awareness on plastic debris and POPs.
abstract: Persistent organic pollutants (i.e. PCBs, DDTs, and HCHs) were analyzed along Australia and New Zealand North Island coastlines. PCB concentrations were high in urban areas (107-294 ng/g-pellet), with Sydney Harbour the most polluted. Hepta-chlorinated PCB was abundant, with ~30% in urban areas suggesting legacy pollution. DDT concentrations showed similar pattern except in rural agricultural sites, Taupo Bay and Ahipara, New Zealand (23 and 47 ng/g-pellet). p,p'-DDE predominance at these 2 sites suggested historical input; they also had high HCH concentrations (17 and 29 ng/g-pellet). The role of International Pellet Watch (IPW) in science communication was studied through feedbacks from IPW volunteers, case studies and examples. IPW data were categorized into understandable terms and tailored reports based on volunteers' backgrounds complemented with pollution maps. The effectiveness of IPW science communication has led to its use in awareness and education activities focusing on both POPs and plastic debris issues.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry (LOG), Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan.
authors.forename: Bee Geok
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Yeo
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry (LOG), Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan. Electronic address: shige@cc.tuat.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Hideshige
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Takada
authors.affiliation: Tangaroa Blue Foundation, PO Box 757, Port Douglas, QLD 4877, Australia.
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry (LOG), Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan.
authors.forename: Maki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry (LOG), Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan.
authors.forename: Junki
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hosoda
authors.affiliation: CAPIM: Centre for Aquatic Pollution Identification and Management, School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne, Grattan St, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Mayumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Allinson
authors.affiliation: 10A Ernest St, Balgowlah Heights, NSW 2093, Australia.
authors.forename: Sharnie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Connell
authors.affiliation: Sustainable Coastlines, Level 1, 54 Upper Queen St., Eden Terrace, Auckland 1010, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Greaves
authors.affiliation: Surfrider Capricorn Coast Branch, 7 Raymond Tce, Yeppoon, QLD 4703, Australia.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McGrath
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D002947:Cities; D003633:Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene / Q000032:analysis; D004463:Ecology / Q000193:education; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D009520:New Zealand; D010969:Plastics / Q000032:analysis*; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis; D011639:Public Opinion; D012424:Rural Population; D014838:Volunteers; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D010969:Plastics; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D003633:Dichlorodiphenyl Dichloroethylene; D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls
keywords: Citizen science; DDTs; HCHs; PCBs; Plastic; Science communication