Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Bioremediation

Bioremediation

Bioremediation is the use of prokaryotes, fungi, or plants to remove pollutants from the environment. This process has been used to remove harmful toxins in groundwater as a byproduct of agricultural run-off and also to clean up oil spills.

Sustainable Development

Sustainable Development

As the human population continues to grow and use resources, we must be mindful of our planet’s natural limits. Sustainable development provides a pathway to maintain and improve human life now while also ensuring that future generations will have the resources that they need. The long-term success of sustainability efforts rests on understanding the interplay between human actions and ecological systems.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

<b>Deep-sea gastropods (Mollusca: Gastropoda) in soft sediments of the Colombian Pacific Ocean: Biodiversity and ecology</b>.

Zootaxa·2026

Same author

What are plastic sinks? A comprehensive framework and functional typology.

Marine pollution bulletin·2026

Same author

From categories to producers: Dual regulatory and Anthropocene-based classification of macrolitter on an uninhabited Caribbean island.

Marine pollution bulletin·2026

Same author

Spatial distribution, abundance, and characterization of emerging plastic forms in binational coastal ecosystems.

Environmental research·2026

Same author

From roads to oceans: Pollution pathways of end-of-life tires in coastal and marine environments.

Marine pollution bulletin·2026

Same author

Protect Uruguay's seas from politics.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 10, 2026

Data Collection on Marine Litter Ingestion in Sea Turtles and Thresholds for Good Environmental Status

Data Collection on Marine Litter Ingestion in Sea Turtles and Thresholds for Good Environmental Status

Published on: May 18, 2019

Remote beaches as plastic hotspots: Pollution patterns and management implications.

Nelson Rangel-Buitrago¹, Adriana Gracia C²

¹Programa de Física, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Atlántico, Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia.

Marine Pollution Bulletin

|November 20, 2025

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Remote Colombian beaches are heavily polluted with plastics, primarily from land-based sources. This plastic pollution, reaching extremely high levels, highlights the urgent need for integrated national monitoring frameworks to manage marine debris.

Keywords:

Caribbean coast of Colombia Marine litter Plastic pollution Remote beaches Source attribution

More Related Videos

Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris

Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris

Published on: July 28, 2018

Extraction of Organochlorine Pesticides from Plastic Pellets and Plastic Type Analysis

Extraction of Organochlorine Pesticides from Plastic Pellets and Plastic Type Analysis

Published on: July 1, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 10, 2026

Data Collection on Marine Litter Ingestion in Sea Turtles and Thresholds for Good Environmental Status

Data Collection on Marine Litter Ingestion in Sea Turtles and Thresholds for Good Environmental Status

Published on: May 18, 2019

Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris

Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris

Published on: July 28, 2018

Extraction of Organochlorine Pesticides from Plastic Pellets and Plastic Type Analysis

Extraction of Organochlorine Pesticides from Plastic Pellets and Plastic Type Analysis

Published on: July 1, 2017

Area of Science:

Marine Biology
Environmental Science
Oceanography

Background:

Remote beaches are often considered pristine but can act as sinks for marine pollution.
Understanding the sources and distribution of marine litter is crucial for effective conservation strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

To comprehensively assess marine litter and plastic pollution on eight remote beach sites in Colombia.
To identify the sources, typologies, and spatial distribution patterns of plastic pollution.
To evaluate the contamination levels using established pollution indices.

Main Methods:

Field surveys to document and quantify litter items.
Plastic typology analysis to determine item categories and origins.
Statistical modeling, including ordination and clustering, to analyze spatial patterns.
Application of the Clean Coast Index and Plastic Abundance Index.

Main Results:

A total of 9620 litter items were recorded, with plastics constituting 91.5%.
Average litter density was 60.1 items/m², with plastics at 54.99 items/m², indicating severe contamination.
Shoreline/recreational items and foamed plastics dominated, suggesting land-based and riverine origins.
All sites were classified as "Extremely Dirty" with "Very High Plastic Abundance."

Conclusions:

Remote Colombian beaches serve as significant passive sinks for marine plastics.
Plastic pollution patterns are influenced by proximity to the Magdalena River, hydrodynamics, and site morphology.
Integrating remote sites into national monitoring frameworks is essential for effective marine litter management.