Marine macrolitter and cigarette butts hazard multiple-use marine protected area and fishing community at Brazil

Author(s)

Ribeiro, Victor Vasques ; Garcia, Yonara ; Cavalcante, Eduardo dos Reis ; Castro, Italo Braga

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Marine Pollution Bulletin; v. 208, p. 10-pg., 2024-09-25.

Abstract

Wide marine litter (ML) contamination impacts human health and economic sectors including fishing, navigation, and tourism. Pereque beach, Brazil, is an authentic fishing community within a touristic multiple-use marine protected area. However, no ML contamination monitoring were so far performed in the region. This study evaluated the spatiotemporal abundance, composition, sources, and associated ML hazards at Pereque beach using a multi-index approach. The 2579 items (0.64 +/- 0.72 items.m(-2)) yielded a high contamination level (CCI = 12.6 +/- 14.4) with plastic (44.6-50.9 %) and cigarette butts (20.6-28.4 %) prevalence, while primary sources were smoking (cigarette butts, lighters, others-21.2-30.1 %) and packaging (17.8-22.8 %). Levels of pollutants leaked from cigarette butts (CBPI = 30.5 +/- 47.5) and hazardous items (HALI = 3.06 +/- 2.64) were among the highest globally. Heightened levels occurred in summer, at dry sand strip, where short-term buoyant items prevailed. Multi-indexing approaches offer valuable insights for local authorities to implement mitigation programs, while contributing to global discussions, promoting awareness, and facilitating replicability. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 22/08669-6 - Bivalve molluscs as contemporary and historical sentinels of microplastic contamination
• Grantee: Victor Vasques Ribeiro
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate