Impact of multiple beach activities on litter and microplastic composition, distribution, and characterization along the southeast coast of India
2022; Elsevier BV; Volume: 223; Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2022.106177
ISSN1873-524X
AutoresThanamegam Kaviarasan, K. Dhineka, M. Sambandam, Sanitha K. Sivadas, D. B. Sivyer, Danja Hoehn, Umakanta Pradhan, Pravakar Mishra, M. V. Ramana Murthy,
Tópico(s)Recycling and Waste Management Techniques
ResumoA regional understanding of beach litter abundance, distribution, and composition is fundamental to formulate strategies to manage litter pollution in a particular area. The present study aimed to quantify and characterize the macro (2.5 cm to 1m), meso (5 mm–2.5 cm), and micro litter (≤5 mm) in the intertidal and backshore area of six sandy beaches utilized for various activities along the southeast coast of India. Macro litter was collected within 100m transects, while meso and micro litter was collected within 1 m2 quadrats (n = 5) from each beach's intertidal and backshore regions. In this study, the average beach litter concentrations were 0.24 ± 0.14 items/m2 (macro), 8.2 ± 5.6 items/m2 (meso), and micro litter was 505 ± 121 particles/kg of dry sediment. The backshore had a higher litter concentration than the intertidal area. Beaches closer to urban centers and multiple activities had higher litter abundance than more remote beaches. Using the Clean Coast Index (CCI), four beaches i.e., Neelankarai, Kovalam, Auroville, and Paradise are characterized as moderately clean beaches, whereas, the other two beaches i.e., Nemmeli and Palar are clean and very clean, respectively. Even though the beaches were found to be moderately clean, there is an urgent need to improve local waste management of beach litter. We suggest regular cleaning of river banks, a strict ban of single-use plastic in the beach area, and raising awareness e.g., by involving school and college students adopting a local beach.
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