The impact of anthropogenic litter on Colombia's central Caribbean beaches

A total of 7563 anthropogenic litter (AL) items, grouped into twelve different typologies, were collected along 25 beaches located on the central Caribbean coast of Colombia. The average AL abundance was 6.05 items/m², plastic items being the most common reaching a total percentage of 88.9% with an average density of 5.38 items/m². Application of 3 evaluation indices, based on the AL data, placed most of the beaches into the status of unacceptable conditions of cleanness (Dirty to Extremely Dirty), and into mediocre to unsatisfactory environmental status. Hazardous anthropogenic litter (HAL), occurred in considerable amounts with hazardous items reaching a high of 7% (502 items of 7563 total items collected), and an average of 0.40 items/m². Beaches were statistically grouped into four specific types that ranged from beaches in good environmental conditions (Group A) to beaches in extremely adverse environmental conditions (Group D). The typology and magnitudes of AL found along the study area suggest a combination of sources that are associated with the multiple usages developed along this region's coast. Anthropogenic litter is mainly related to land-based sources, and these generating source activities can be found in nearby basins and/or on the same beaches where the litter remains. This paper proposes four key actions to specifically reduce AL, as well as an 8-step agenda to address solutions to the broader management of litter problems.