Where does Arctic beach debris come from? Analyzing debris composition and provenance on Svalbard aided by citizen scientists

Plastic debris is ubiquitous in all ecosystems and has even reached locations that humans will hardly reach such as the deep ocean floor atmosphere. Research highlighted plastic now pervasive remote Arctic regions. While modeling projections indicated local sources long-distance transport causes, empirical data about its origin are scarce. Data collected by citizen scientists can increase scale of observations, especially Here, we report abundance composition marine on 14 beaches Spitsbergen archipelago. In addition, three large, industrial sized canvas bags (hereafter: big packs), filled with beached debris, which composition, were determined. A total mass 1,620 kg was 38,000 m 2 (total mean = 41.83 g -2 , SEM ± 31.62). terms abundance, 23,000 pieces 25,500 0.37 items 0.17). Although most both mass, fisheries waste, nets, rope, large containers, dominated (87%), general plastics, packaging articles, (80%). Fisheries-related points to sea-based from vessels operating nearby. General plastics could point land- ship based sources, household also used ships be transported north via oceans current. Overall, 1% (206 out 14,707 pieces) two packs (2017 2021), bore imprints or labels allowing an analysis their origin. If categories ‘global’ ‘English language’ excluded, identifiable originated states (65%), Russia (32%) Norway (16%). But almost a third (30%) European provenance, Germany (8%). Five percent more distant (e.g. USA, China, Korea, Brazil). Global measures efficient legally binding treaty improved upstream waste management urgently needed, lower amount entering our environments turn lifting pressure region sensitive biota.