Work

Marine debris induced by the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami: A multi-sensor remote sensing assessment

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Using satellite remote sensing , we show the distribution, dominant type, and amounts of marine debris off the northeast coast of Japan after the Great East Japan Earthquake on 11 March 2011 and subsequent tsunami. Extensive marine debris was found on March 12, with the maximal amount found on March 13. The debris was found to be mainly wood (possibly lumber wood), with an estimated 1.5 million metric tons in an elongated water area of 6800 km 2 (18 km E-W and 380 km N-S) near parallel to the coast between 36.75°N and 40.25°N. The amount decreased rapidly with time, with scattered debris patches captured in high-resolution satellite images up to April 6. These results provide new insights on the initial distribution of the Japanese Tsunami Marine Debris, which may be used to help find bottom deposition of debris and help refine numerical models to predict the debris trajectory and fate. Synopsis Marine debris induced by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami is found to be mainly composed of wood and possibly lumber wood from constructions, with maximum amount on 13 March 2011 distributed within a narrow band of ∼18 km near parallel to the northeast coast of Japan between 36.75°N and 40.25°N.

Source: Marine Pollution Bulletin

DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116888

Authors: Lin Qi, Menghua Wang, Chuanmin Hu, Junnan Jiao, Young-Je Park

Institutions: NOAA Center for Satellite Applications and Research, University of South Florida, University of South Florida St. Petersburg

Language: English

Topic: Microplastics and Plastic Pollution

Subfield: Pollution

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Life below water

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,630