Pollution Research Paper

Vol 40, Issue 2, 2021; Page No.(407-412 )

QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF PLASTIC POLYMERIC POLLUTION AT THE SHORE OF THE SHATT AL-ARAB RIVER IN SOUTHERN IRAQ

ALAA K. JASIM

Abstract

Five stations (Al-Fao, Al-Seeba, Abu-Al-Kasieb, Basrah Center, Garmatt-Ali) along the Shatt Al- Arab River were selected for analysis of mesoplastics debris and macroplastics debris. The average density of shoreline plastic debris of the Shatt Al-Arab River was 170.552 g/m3 at the shore. Al- Seeba station represents the least polluted shoreline (107.93 g/m3), while the Basrah Center station (242.53 g/m3) was higher in pollution. The quantitative of plastic items found in Garmatt-Ali station was (116.46 g/m3), Abu-Al-Kasieb (164.98 g/m3), and Al-Faw (220.71 g/m3) stations. The shoreline mesoplastic debris items were composed of bags (film) Pieces (35%), Single-use plastic or polystyrene cups (20%), Pieces of drinking Bottles (15%), fishing lines (19.64g, 5%), Female sanitary protection (2.5%), takeaway or food container (1.5%), cigarettes filters (1.5%), bottles covers (2%), plastic straws (,0.5%) and other types of polymers (17%). The shoreline macroplastic debris was classified into seven types; Plastic bottles of all types (40.51%) as larges, Single-use plastic carrier bag (35.46%), polystyrene takeaway or food container (6%), Single-use plastic or polystyrene cups(3%), Female sanitary protection, nappies and wet wipes (1.39%), Smoking-related packaging makes (2%), plastic straws, stirrers, and cutlery make ( 1%) and other types of polymers (11%). Also the shoreline plastic debris was classified depending on the type of polymers in to: polyethylene Terephthalate (40.51%), high-density and low-density polyethylene (35.46%), polystyrene (6.53%), polystyrene (9.94%), polypropylene (3.34%), dry polyamide (5.22%) and other types of polymers (5.53%). The salinity of tap water is considered the main reason for use of small and medium-sized water plastic bottles significantly is the main contributor to plastic pollution in the Shatt al-Arab River, in addition to the presence of restaurants and tourist areas that throw the plastic waste in the Shatt al-Arab in addition to fishing activities.