Macro-, meso- and microplastic debris in three sandy beaches of north-eastern Tunisian coasts

• Published in: Regional studies in marine science Vol. 67; p. 103229
• Main Authors: Abdelkader, Nada, Ben Ismail, Sana, Zakhama-Sraieb, Rym
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 20.12.2023
• Subjects: Beach Plastic; cigarettes; Clean Coast Index; coasts; FTIR-ATR; marine science; microplastics; Pollution; protocols; social welfare; spectroscopy; Tunisia; Tunisia; FTIR-ATR; Clean Coast Index; Pollution; Beach Plastic
• ISSN: 2352-4855; 2352-4855
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rsma.2023.103229

Beaches are social-ecological systems, which offer various kinds of services that improve human well-being. However, as one of the main coastal connections, they are subject to plastic pollution, which is currently one of the most critical worldwide environmental problems. This study investigates the spatial distribution, types and characteristics of macroplastics (size≥2.5cm), mesoplastics (5 mm-2.5cm) and microplastics (≤5mm) using OSPAR protocol at three sandy beaches of the north-eastern coast of Tunisia. The mean density ±SD of macroplastics at three beaches was 2.57±1.71 items m-2, while the mean density ±SD of mesoplastics was 36.26±49.67 items m-² and 37.33±34.56 items m-2 for microplastics. Cigarette butts were the most dominant macroplastics collected at the beaches. Regarding meso and microplastics, “fragments” shapes were predominant. The colours of the meso and microplastics particles varied. Chemical characterisation of the meso and microplastics utilized FTIR-ATR spectroscopy andthe majority of both the meso and microplastics HDPE polymers. This preliminary assessment aims to present a scientific baseline for better management of plastic litter on Tunisian beaches. [Display omitted] •OSPAR protocol was used for a homogenic national litter monitoring in terms of debris categorization and quantification•7737 macrodebris items were collected in three Tunisian beaches,totaling 42.75kg and plastic represent 94.62% of the total litter items.•Cigarette butts are the major plastic category in all three beaches.•Meso and microplastics show a large variability in colour, shape and type of polymer•To address environmental challenges, large-scale behavioral, economic, and political changes are required.