[논문 #4_SCI] Heo et al. (2013). Distribution of small plastic debris in cross-section and high strandline on Heungnam Beach, South Korea. Ocean Science Journal 48(2): 225-233.

The spatial distribution of small plastic debris on Heungnam beach in February 2011 was investigated. The abundances of small plastic debris over 2 mm in size along the high-stranded and cross-sectional lines of the beach were determined. The mean abundances of small plastics were 976±405 particles/m2 at the high-stranded line in the upper tidal zone along the shoreline and 473±866 particles/m2 at the cross-section perpendicular to the shoreline. Specifically, styrofoam (expanded polystyrene) spherules accounted for 90.7% of the total plastic abundance in the highstranded line and 96.3% in the cross-section. The spatial distribution patterns of small plastic debris differed between the high-stranded and cross-sectional lines. The cross-sectional distribution of small plastic abundance differed among plastic types, indicating that representative sampling of small plastic debris on a beach is necessary. 

Plastic debris, styrofoam, cross-section, high-stranded line, sand beach