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This data layer represents beach monitoring survey locations of balloon and other plastic litter on remote beaches in the Mid-Atlantic. Surveys were initiated in each of the five MARCO states in 2016.
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| summary:
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This data layer represents beach monitoring survey locations of balloon and other plastic litter on remote beaches in the Mid-Atlantic. Surveys were initiated in each of the five MARCO states in 2016.
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| extent:
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[[-75.9802246689999,37.0890610000001],[-73.5558739419999,40.5808079930001]]
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| accessInformation:
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Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program and other state contributors; Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO); web service published by the MARCO Ocean Data Portal
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| thumbnail:
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thumbnail/thumbnail.png
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| typeKeywords:
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["Data","Service","Map Service","ArcGIS Server"]
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| description:
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Mid-Atlantic Balloon and Other Debris Beach Monitoring Surveys: NY, NJ, DE, MD, VA; Source: Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program and other state contributors. Originally published in June-July 2021 and revised (this version), July 2024. This update includes the spring 2024 debris numbers for NY, NJ, DE, and MD, and the March 2024 numbers for Virginia. <br></br>
This data layer represents beach monitoring survey locations of balloon and other plastic litter on remote beaches in the Mid-Atlantic. Surveys were initiated in each of the five MARCO states in 2016 along beach transects in the following locations: <br></br>
New York: Jones Beach State Park<br>
New Jersey: Island Beach State Park<br>
Delaware: Kitts Hummock Beach and Delaware Seashore State Park<br>
Maryland: Assateague Island<br>
Virginia: Fisherman Island<br>
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The survey lines contain attributes representing total counts by season and year of balloon and other plastic debris. Portal users can click on the line to return the attributes of the survey transect. <br></br>
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More Information: Story Map
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A scrollable 'story map' was created by the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program in cooperation with the participating states in support of the monitoring surveys in the Mid-Atlantic, and explores the issue of balloon litter in the coastal and marine environment, as well as providing an in-depth look at each of the survey locations.
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To access the story map directly: <a href="https://gaia.vcu.edu/portal/apps/storymaps/stories/83154e32217a4c15b4c29aaa2c82c966">Balloons on the Beach</a>
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To access the story map from the Portal viewer:<br></br>
1) Display the survey lines in the Portal (Water Quality > Balloon and Other Debris Mid-Atlantic Beach Monitoring Surveys);<br>
2) Zoom in to one of the survey locations;<br>
3) Click on the line and the attributes will appear in the Portal viewer;<br>
4) In the attribute window, scroll to the 'story map' attribute and click on the link.
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Notes:
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From 2016-2019, volunteers participating in the International Coastal Cleanup reported more than 29,800 littered balloons in Mid-Atlantic states and data indicated that balloon litter accumulated more on ocean beaches than on inland cleanup sites. This is likely because prevailing winds carry balloons from west to east out over the ocean and then ocean tides move the balloons onto beaches. The number of balloons found per volunteer was significantly higher on remote ocean beaches. The higher numbers for remote beaches likely provide a more accurate picture of balloon litter on beaches, as remote beaches are not cleaned on a regular basis as more accessible beaches are.
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To better understand the true nature of balloon litter as marine debris, Mid-Atlantic States have been surveying remote beaches to track abundance, distribution, accumulation, and fate of balloon-related litter in the marine environment.
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By documenting these details on balloon litter, it may be possible to identify sources of balloon debris. For example, logos or messages may still be legible on littered balloons that help identify events and occasions. That information can be used to determine which occasions are most likely to result in balloon litter. Documenting the condition of each balloon reveals how many balloons are released with ribbons, how many are reaching an altitude that causes them to burst, how many balloons made of which materials are being released, and more. It is important to note that while some balloons may be considered “biodegradable” such as latex balloons, they do not biodegrade quickly enough to prevent harm to wildlife. This information is critical when educating the public and policy makers about the problems caused by releasing balloons.
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| licenseInfo:
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Intended for display on the MARCO Portal
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| catalogPath:
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| title:
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BalloonOtherDebris_MidAtlBeachMonitoring_202407
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| type:
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Map Service
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| url:
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| tags:
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["marine debris"]
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| culture:
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en-US
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| name:
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BalloonOtherDebris_MidAtlBeachMonitoring_202407
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| guid:
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70F39134-E28A-4CB0-B671-5CD5085629E9
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| spatialReference:
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GCS_WGS_1984
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