Accumulation of stranded plastic objects and other artefacts at Inaccessible Island, Central South Atlantic Ocean.

Abstract

During 1987 a survey of macro-artefacts (>10 mm diameter) was conducted along a 900 m boulder beach at the western point of Inaccessible Island, central South Atlantic Ocean. This repeated the survey made at the same site during 1984, when the highest density of artefacts at the Tristan da Cunha/ Gough and Prince Edward island groups (apart from Tristan settlement) was recorded at Inaccessible Island. The minimum rate of artefact accumulation was 88 objects km-I year-I. Total numbers of artefacts had increased by 47 per cent, with the greatest increase among plastic objects (65 Artefacts attributable to the local fishery were little increased in abundance, whereas those derived from distant sources had increased bv at least 120 per cent. suggesting a recent increase in the density ofartefacts adrift in the South Atlantic Ocean. Gedurende 1987 is 'n opname gemaak van makro-voorwerpe (> 10 rnm deursnee) oor 900 m rotsagtige strand aan die westelike punt van Inaccessible-eiland, sentrale Suid-Atlan{iese Oseaan. Dit was 'n herhaling van die opname wat gedurende 1984 in die selfde gebied, Tristan da Cunha-/Gough-en Prins Edward-eilandgroepe (die Tristan-nedersetting uitgeShift), gemaak is en die grootste hoeveelhefd voorwerpe by 1naccessible-eiland opgeteken is. Die minimum hoeveelheid opgehoopte voorwerpe was 88 stukke km-I jaar-I. Die totale aantal voorwerpe het met 47 persent gestyg, met die grootste (oename in plastiese artikels (65 %). Voorwerpe afkornstig van die plaaslike vissery het min toegeneem, terwyl die wat van verafgelee bronne ajkomstig is met ten minste 120 persent vermeerder het. Daaruit blyk dat daar 'n onlangse (oename is in die hoeveelheid voorwerpe waf in die Suid-Atlantiese Oseaan voorkom.