Macro-, meso- and microplastic abundance in sandy beaches and factors influencing their distribution in an SW Atlantic resort

HINES, EMILIANO; JAUBET, MARÍA L.; CUELLO, GRACIELA V.; ELÍAS, RODOLFO; GARAFFO, GRISELDA V.

MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH

ELSEVIER SCI LTD

Año: 2023 vol. 190

0141-1136

The present study recorded the abundance of plastic debris in marine sediments of tourist beaches in the Southwest Atlantic (Argentina). We aimed to determine theabundance of macro-, meso- and microplastics in different beaches, considering different anthropogenic and natural factors. Generalized Linear Mixed Models(GLMMs) were performed and the explanatory factors were: Beach Morphology; Grain Size; Recreational Use Level; Continental Water Discharge, Location, DistanceUrban Centre and Season. The Continental Water Discharge was the factor responsible for the highest abundance of plastic debris on the beach surface. Beaches withfine granulometry, between groins, with high to very high intensity of recreational use, tend to accumulate and/or retain greater amounts of plastic debris. Theseasonal factor influences the abundance of plastic waste in the central zone between the pre-summer and post-summer seasons, despite the cleaning effect of the citygoverment. In beaches with greater anthropogenic pressure, the influence of this factor on the abundance of litter is altered.