Spatiotemporal variability of solid waste on sandy beaches with different access restrictions

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Marine Biology
• Coastal Management

Background:

• Sandy beaches face significant stress from human activities and coastal development.
• Marine debris pollution is a pervasive global issue impacting beach ecosystems and aesthetics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess marine debris characterization over time on beaches with varying access levels.
• To identify factors influencing marine debris accumulation on urban beaches.

Main Methods:

• Sampling marine debris across nine sandy beaches in Rio de Janeiro over two periods and seasons.
• Grouping beaches based on accessibility levels for comparative analysis.

Main Results:

• Overall marine debris density decreased over time, correlating with improved public cleaning efforts.
• Beach accessibility was the primary predictor for marine debris abundance; restricted access beaches showed significant reductions.
• Even restricted access beaches accumulate substantial debris, indicating their role as sinks for marine litter.

Conclusions:

• While public cleaning has improved, beach accessibility significantly impacts marine debris levels.
• Effective marine debris management requires an integrated approach beyond localized beach cleaning strategies.
• All evaluated beaches are susceptible to marine debris, highlighting the need for broader pollution control measures.