Students Help Drive New Research On Global Marine Debris

Graduate and undergraduate students took the lead in reviewing global studies on marine debris, uncovering overlooked sources of ocean trash and pointing toward actionable remedies.

Undergraduate and graduate students took a lead role in a Virginia Tech study that analyzed global research on marine debris, uncovering surprising sources of ocean trash and pointing out solutions for a growing environmental crisis.

From plastic bottles to fishing nets to ink cartridges, trash is piling up in the world’s oceans and coastlines. Marine debris costs billions of dollars each year, harms more than 800 species, and affects human health. The new study takes a closer look at the issue and highlights what is needed to address it.

Jennifer Russell, associate professor in the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials, and Eranga Galappaththi, assistant professor in the Department of Geography, combined their expertise for the project. Galappaththi brought years of experience working with coastal systems and local communities, while Russell brought her background in circular economy and sustainability.

With a small grant from the Virginia Tech Coastal Collaborator, which evolved from the Center for Coastal Studies, dedicated to student assistantships, the two researchers trained undergraduate and graduate students to collect data, review global research, and draft the manuscript.

Marine debris is defined as:

• General waste: Mixed items, often including macroplastics
• Microplastics: Tiny plastic fragments and particles
• Fishing-related debris: Discarded or lost nets, lines, traps, and other gear
• Ink cartridges: From cargo spills
• Petroleum waxes: Linked to shipping operations

While the first two authors on the paper were Galappaththi and Russell, undergraduates and graduate students contributed to data analysis and writing. Their weekly “teatime” meetings gave the team research experience and helped chart the course of the study.

“This kind of collaboration gave students the chance to do more than assist,” Galappaththi said. “They were leading the work and interpreting the results.”

The study found that while the public often pictures a single plastic bottle floating in the ocean, the reality is broader and more surprising. Impacts are felt around the world, such as fishers in the Arctic reporting their boat motors being clogged with plastic marine debris. According to the study, debris has been documented everywhere, from beaches and mangroves to deep seabeds and even remote places such as Antarctica.

The study was published in Global Environmental Change: Human and Policy Dimensions.

The study identified several key findings:

• Natural forces shape where debris ends up. Winds, ocean currents, and coastal geography often determine where trash gathers more than direct human activity.
• Most research measures the amount of debris. Much of the existing work is focused on how much trash is present, with everyday waste items being the most common category studied.
• The problem is spreading. Debris is not only increasing in volume but also showing up in new regions around the world.
• Better tools are needed. There are major gaps in monitoring systems. Technologies such as satellites, specialized databases, and computer models could help track debris more effectively.
• Sources of waste and trash are wide-ranging. Waste management system challenges, shipping, fisheries, aquaculture, urban runoff, consumer culture, and tourism all contribute to the problem.

“This project was valuable to my undergraduate studies because it exposed me to the rigors of the academic process,” said Mitch Dolby ’22, who earned a degree geography. “It gave me a better understanding of what it takes to conduct quality research, and I now feel more confident to work on impactful projects in the future.”

Along with building collaboration skills, the project pushed graduate students to think critically about the global scale of the problem.

“Marine debris is a pressing global concern, touching every coastline and ecosystem,” said Sithuni Mimasha, a graduate student in the Department of Geography. “Our study provides evidence of its impact on a worldwide scale, reminding us that we have a responsibility to be environmental stewards. The findings call for a future where humans, animals, plants, and entire ecosystems can thrive together.”

The study emphasized that individuals have a role to play. Following the “R” principles can make a difference: Refuse and reduce plastic use whenever possible, reuse items such as printer cartridges, redirect wastes into the proper containment system, and recycle responsibly. Many debris problems come from poor management, such as uncovered trucks, open landfills, or litter that gets blown into waterways, the study found.

“This kind of research shows that everyday products can end up in unexpected places, like the ocean,” Russell said. “By understanding where debris comes from and how it moves, we can make smarter choices and better policies.”