Palavras-chave: lixo marinho; padrão de contaminação; praias tropicais; linha do deixa. ABSTRACTThe quantity, diversity and composition of solid waste found along a developed coastline in Northeast Brazil are described. Small to medium-scale temporal and spatial variations in marine debris deposited over strandline in a period of three years were examined. Sampling was conducted during the dry (January, February, March) and rainy (June, July, August) seasons of 2005 to 2007. Samples were collected once a month for counting and sorting all visible items within a 1 m wide belt transect centered at the strandline. The very small plastic fragments (<1 cm) were not recorded in the sample because it was very difficult to spot and quantify them in a reliable manner during this sort of survey. Significant differences were found in diversity and quantity of marine debris along two seasons at Boa Viagem beach. Large numbers of solid waste items were counted in each year along three years. A total amount of 165.882 items was counted at the beach of Boa Viagem. The plastic category was the most important type of solid waste found at Boa Viagem. This category represented 74,3% of all solid waste found at Boa Viagem beach. Plastic waste was significantly greater (p<0,05) than organic matter and wood. Significant differences (p< 0,05) were observed in marine debris diversity along El-Niño events. These analyses highlight problems that should be addressed in future management of sandy beaches.