Search

Abstract Analyses of thermotolerant coliform and heterotrophic bacteria as well as Escherichia coli and Vibrio species were carried out on plastic samples and in the surrounding waters of Guanabara Bay to evaluate plastic debris as vehicles of bacterial dispersal. Chemical characterizations of plastics were performed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Plastic debris with high coliform contents were found, while their respective water samples had only low titers. No correlations were observed, however, between the amounts of bacteria and the chemical compositions of the plastic debris. Forty-four bacterial strains were PCR-confirmed as E. coli pathotypes, and 59 strains of Vibrio spp. (with 12 being identified as Vibrio cholerae [6], Vibrio vulnificus [5], and Vibrio mimicus [1]). These findings suggest these plastics can function as a substrate for bacterial biofilms (including pathogens). These debris, in turn, can be dispersed in aquatic environments not otherwise showing recent fecal bacterial contamination. Highlights • First study that relates plastic and microorganisms in the Bay of Guanabara, Brazil. • Escherichia coli were confirmed by PCR as EHEC or EPEC, EIEC, EAEC and EHEC in waste and water. • One Vibrio mimicus , 6 Vibrio cholerae , and 5 Vibrio vulnnificus were found in waste water. • Some plastic wastes presented strains not detected in the surrounding water. • The results indicate that plastic wastes can disperse potentially pathogenic bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of plastic debris in the stomach contents of two commercially important species Ethmidium maculatum and Mugil cephalus from Peru and relate their characteristics to their diet. The contents of 1820 stomachs were analyzed visually to detect the presence of plastics and prey. Of the analyzed samples, 0.3% contained nine microplastic fragments (0.72–4.54 mm) and one mesoplastic fragment (6.65 mm). Green and blue plastics of polyethylene and polypropylene were the most common. In E. maculatum , copepods were the main prey, followed by diatoms and decapods, and they exhibited the highest amount of plastics. In M. cephalus , the main prey were diatoms, copepods, and dinoflagellates, and they exhibited only one type of microplastic. Although the characteristics of the plastics and the prey of these species may be related (sizes–colors), more research is required to understand this problem in commercially important fishery resources in Peru. • This is the first record of plastic debris in Ethmidium maculatum from the South Pacific. • 506 individuals of E. maculatum and 1314 individuals of Mugil cephalus from Peru were analyzed. • The analyzed fish species exhibited low occurrence of plastic ingestion (0.3%). • Species with a preference for copepods as prey exhibited a higher level of plastic ingestion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic pollution is a global problem that poses a threat to coastal and marine ecosystems and human livelihoods and requires effective solutions adaptable to local conditions. In Colombia, the knowledge about marine plastic pollution is still limited and the development of effective strategies for managing marine and coastal environments is crucial. Therefore, plastic pollution was assessed on 43 Colombian sandy beaches on the Caribbean and Pacific coasts. Amounts of macroplastic ranged from 35 ± 15 to 81 ± 23 items 100 m−1, being product's packaging the most common. Microplastic densities ranged from 3 to 1387 items m−2. The highest microplastic concentrations were found on the beaches from Caribbean cities and in rural areas of Pacific municipalities. Fragments and polyethylene were the most commonly observed shape and polymer categories, respectively. Tourism and poor waste management practices are the primary plastic sources on the studied beaches. Plastic litter on Colombian beaches are a problem that requires prevention, mitigation, and control actions to help conserve this ecosystem. Image 1 • Plastic pollution was assessed on 43 Colombian Caribbean and Pacific beaches. • The most common macroplastic items are packaging and containers. • Tourism and poor waste management are the main plastic sources on the beaches. • Microplastics ranged between 3 and 1387 items m−2 of the beach. • Fragment and polyethylene were the most common shape and polymer, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tourism is an important socioeconomic activity in coastal communities, which deteriorates marine-coastal ecosystem quality when poorly managed, increasing litter pollution on beaches during the main tourist seasons. This study aims to assess the tourism impact on litter pollution on eleven Santa Marta beaches, Colombian Caribbean. During high and low tourist seasons, people on the beaches were counted, macrolitter and microplastics were sampled, and perception surveys about litter on beaches were conducted. During the high tourist season, the number of people and macrolitter pollution increased, compared to the low tourist season. Plastics accounted for 30%–77% of macrolitter and microplastics ranged from 1 to 355 items/m2. Respondents identified tourism as a main litter source and plastics as the most common litter type. All assessed beaches are impacted by tourism causing litter pollution, therefore, stronger controls, educational, and awareness strategies are needed to reduce litter pollution and prevent ecological and socioeconomic impacts. • Tourism impact on marine litter pollution was evaluated on 11 Santa Marta beaches. • Samplings were done in high and low tourist seasons on three beaches typologies. • Litter and user quantities on beaches had strong positive significant correlation. • Users perceived tourism as main litter source and plastic as most common material. • Tourism impacts Santa Marta beaches, causing marine litter pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Guatemala, assessment of the impacts of microplastic pollution in marine and coastal protected areas has not yet been carried out. Therefore, the main goal of this paper was to evaluate the abundance, composition, physical forms, and the possible sources of plastic debris in the El Quetzalito Beach. The area was intended for biodiversity conservation but has been excessively contaminated by plastic materials from land-based activities. The results state that plastic debris negatively impact the Caribbean coast of Guatemala and are released by storm water and riverine transport from the Motagua River. With a high abundance of 279 items/m2 (30 items/kg d.w.), composed mainly of polystyrene foam beads (66.8%) and polypropylene fragments (25.8%), the microplastic sources are the deterioration of large plastics. As these plastics are commonly used in industrial, commercial, fishing, and household activities, these findings reinforce the need to improve effective sustainable management actions of solid waste treatment and disposal in the Guatemalan cities. • Microplastic pollution on the sand of the El Quetzalito beach was characterized. • Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy technique were applied. • A high concentration of 279 items/m2 (composed mainly by secondary MPs) were found. • Foam was the most abundant form observed (64.5%). • Polystyrene, polypropylene and polyethylene were the main polymers found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]