The Hidden Cost of Buoyancy: Environmental and Social Consequences of EPS in Marine Aquaculture
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Plastic buoy pollution, particularly from expanded polystyrene (EPS), has emerged as a major environmental threat, impacting marine ecosystems, aquaculture, and human health. This study examines microplastic contamination from EPS buoys, focusing on South Korea’s oyster farms in Tongyeong and Jeju Island’s coastal economy. It highlights bioaccumulation in filter-feeding organisms, disruptions to biodiversity, and the disproportionate burden placed on low-income communities. Institutional inertia and inadequate waste management systems hinder reform, necessitating a transition to biodegradable alternatives. By proposing an eco-friendly buoy design, this research advocates for systemic change in marine infrastructure, governance, and sustainable seafood production.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
[1] GESAMP (Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection). Sources, Fate and Effects of Microplastics in the Marine Environment: A Global Assessment. Rep. No. 90, IMO/FAO/UNESCO-IOC/UNIDO/WMO/IAEA/UN/UNEP/UNDP Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection, 2016.
[2] Kang, Jae-Woo, et al. "Marine Microplastic Pollution in Korean Coastal Waters: Field Observations and Implications for Management." Marine Pollution Bulletin, vol. 96, no. 1-2, 2015, pp. 304–312. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.04.002.
[3] Cho, Young Mi, et al. "Accumulation and Toxicological Effects of Microplastics in Oysters (Crassostrea gigas): Exposure and Histopathological Responses." Environmental Science & Technology, vol. 53, no. 4, 2019, pp. 2310–2320. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.8b05245.
[4] Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2020: Sustainability in Action. FAO, 2020.
[5] Koelmans, Albert A., et al. "Microplastic as a Vector for Chemicals in the Aquatic Environment: Critical Review and Model-Supported Reinterpretation of Empirical Studies." Environmental Science & Technology, vol. 50, no. 7, 2016, pp. 3315–3326. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.5b06069.
[6] Seo, Hyun-Woo, and Ji-Hye Park. “Characterization of Aquaculture-Related Marine Plastic Debris in South Korean Coastal Waters.” Marine Pollution Bulletin, vol. 196, 2024, p. 115706. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.115706.
[7] Lee, Min-Ji, and Eun-Ju Cho. “Detection of Microplastics in Korean Seafood Markets and Their Potential Human Health Risks.” Journal of Environmental Health Sciences, vol. 50, no. 1, 2024, pp. 55–64.
[8] “Plastic Buoy Waste from Aquaculture and Marine Debris Trends.” Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation (KOEM), 2023. www.koem.or.kr.
[9] Cox, Courtney, et al. “Human Consumption of Microplastics.” Environmental Science & Technology, vol. 53, no. 12, 2019, pp. 7068–7074. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.9b01517.
[10] Leslie, Heather A., et al. “Discovery and Quantification of Plastic Particle Pollution in Human Blood.” Environment International, vol. 163, 2022, p. 107199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2022.107199.
[11] Ragusa, Andrea, et al. “Plasticenta: First Evidence of Microplastics in Human Placenta.” Environment International, vol. 146, 2021, p. 106274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2020.106274.
[12] Jenner, Lisa C., et al. “Detection of Microplastics in Human Carotid Arteries and Implications for Cardiovascular Risk.” Nature, vol. 627, no. 7994, 2024, pp. 312–318. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07011-z.
[13] Kim, Soo-Min, et al. “Impacts of Aquaculture-Derived Marine Debris on Benthic Ecosystems in Jeju Coastal Waters.” Marine Environmental Research, vol. 197, 2023, p. 106091. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.106091.
[14] Kim, Hye-Jin, and Jong-Ho Lee. “Detection of Microplastics in Jeju Island Groundwater and Its Environmental Significance.” Journal of Korean Society for Environmental Analysis, vol. 42, no. 4, 2023, pp. 312–319.
[15] “2023 Marine Debris Monitoring Report.” Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation (KOEM), 2023. www.koem.or.kr.
[16] Leslie, Heather A., et al. “Discovery and Quantification of Plastic Particle Pollution in Human Blood.” Environment International, vol. 163, 2022, p. 107199. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2022.107199.
[17] Ragusa, Andrea, et al. “Plasticenta: First Evidence of Microplastics in Human Placenta.” Environment International, vol. 146, 2021, p. 106274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2020.106274.
[18] Save Jeju Bada Youth Club. “Annual Report on Coastal Cleanup and Plastic Reuse Projects in Jeju.” Save Jeju Bada Official Site, 2024. www.savejejubada.org.
[19] Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. “Policy Roadmap for Replacing EPS Aquaculture Buoys with Biodegradable Alternatives by 2025.” Republic of Korea Government Publication, 2023. www.mof.go.kr.
[20] United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Marine Plastic Litter and Microplastics: Global Lessons and Research to Inspire Action and Guide Policy Change. UNEP, 2021.
[21] “Marine Plastic Pollution and Microplastics.” United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), 2021, www.unep.org/resources/marine-plastic-pollution.
[22] Eriksen, Marcus, et al. “Plastic Pollution in the World’s Oceans: More than 5 Trillion Plastic Pieces Weighing over 250,000 Tons Afloat at Sea.” PLOS ONE, vol. 9, no. 12, 2014, e111913. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0111913.
[23] Cole, Matthew, et al. “Microplastics Reduce Fertility and Reproduction in Marine Copepods.” Science, vol. 343, no. 6172, 2014, pp. 91–94. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1241918.
[24] [23]Wilcox, Chris, et al. “Threat of Plastic Pollution to Seabirds Is Global, Pervasive, and Increasing.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 112, no. 38, 2015, pp. 11899–11904. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1502108112.
[25] Lamb, Joleah B., et al. “Plastic Waste Associated with Disease on Coral Reefs.” Science, vol. 359, no. 6374, 2018, pp. 460–462. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aar3320.
[26] Guardian Staff. “Plastic Pollution Threatens Galápagos Islands’ Unique Ecosystem.” The Guardian, 12 Feb. 2024, www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/feb/12/plastic-pollution-galapagos-ecosystem.
[27] van Sebille, Erik, et al. “A Global Inventory of Small Floating Plastic Debris.” Environmental Research Letters, vol. 10, no. 12, 2015, p. 124006. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/10/12/124006.
[28] Jambeck, Jenna R., et al. “Plastic Waste Inputs from Land into the Ocean.” Science, vol. 347, no. 6223, 2015, pp. 768–771. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1260352.
[29] Barboza, Luís Gabriel A., et al. “Microplastics in Wild Fish from North East Atlantic Ocean and Its Potential for Causing Neurotoxic Effects.” Environmental Science and Pollution Research, vol. 27, no. 3, 2020, pp. 3018–3032. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-06915-9.