Seasonal Distribution, Composition, and Inventory of Plastic Debris on the Yugang Park Beach in Zhanjiang Bay, South China Sea

Abstract

Plastic debris contamination in marine environments is a global problem that poses a considerable threat to the sustainability and health of coastal ecosystems. Marine beaches, as the key zones where terrestrial plastic debris reach coastal waters, are faced with the increasing pressures of human activities. In this study, we explored the distribution, composition, and inventory of plastic debris over seasonal and tidal zones at the Yugang Park Beach (YPB) in Zhanjiang Bay, South China Sea, to provide a baseline for plastic debris on a marine beach. The results showed mean abundance of plastic debris in summer (6.00 ± 2.10 items/m2) was significantly greater than that in winter (3.75 ± 2.12 items/m2). In addition, the composition of plastic debris ranged in size mainly from 1 to 5 mm and 0.5 to 2.5 cm in winter and summer, respectively. In terms of composition, white plastic debris was the most common (81.1%), and foam was the most abundant (64.4%). Moreover, there was a significant relationship between the abundance of plastic debris and sand grain size fraction (p < 0.05), implying the abundances of microplastic debris were more easily impacted by sand grain size (>2 mm). In total inventory, there were about 1.18 × 105 and 2.95 × 105 items of plastic debris on the YPB in winter and summer, respectively. The tidal variation and human activities are responsible for the plastic debris accumulation. This study provided a method to quantify the inventory of plastic debris on a beach and could be helpful to consider regional tidal variations and critical source areas for effective plastic debris clean-up.

Distribution Characteristics and Pollution Sources Analysis of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Phthalate Esters in the Seawater of Land-Based Outlets around Zhanjiang Bay in Spring

“…According to relevant statistics [48], there are about 27 rubber and plastic products enterprises in the Zhanjiang area, with an annual production of 85,000 tons of plastic products, 411,700 tons of primary plastic products, and 2643 tons of agricultural plastic film. Zhang et al [52] demonstrated that microplastics found on the beaches of ZJB Yugang Park can originate from plastic products such as polyethylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride resin, and polypropylene. Therefore, the sources of PAEs in ZJB are likely derived from plastic products as well as the manufacturing processes of plastic products enterprises.…”

Identifikasi Jenis Dan Kepadatan Sampah Laut Di Pantai Mutiara Indah Dan Pelangi Kabupaten Kutai Kartanegara

“…Selain dari aktivitas pengunjung, sampah yang tertinggal di ke tiga zona ini juga disebabkan adanya proses pasang surut air laut. Pada saat pasang tertinggi terjadi, sampah plastik yang yang memiliki massa yang ringan dapat terbawa dari perairan kemudian tertinggal saat surut terendah (Zhang et al, 2022).…”

Marine plastic pollution in Morocco: state of the knowledge on origin, occurrence, fate, and management

“…In the Mediterranean sea, UNEP indicated that marine litter is mainly linked to summer tourism (UNEP 2009). In this sense, studies have evaluated the seasonal evolution of plastic waste on the beach during summer tourism and found that plastic items volume is higher during the summer compared to other seasons (Pervez et al 2020 ; Gómez et al 2020 ; Zhang et al 2022 ). Indeed, Ariza et al ( 2008 ) reported that 13% of collected litter and waste from the Lloret Centre beach during summer tourism on the Catalan coast was discarded and left on the sand by visitors.…”