Microplastics pollution on Colombian Central Caribbean beaches

The growing literature on microplastics (MPs) in coastal and marine environs reflects the seriousness of this pollutant category. Diverse litter studies on Colombia's Central Caribbean Coast have not presented detailed study of MPs' typology, magnitude or distribution. This baseline study presents for first time the MPs problem on 23 beaches in 75 km coastal reach between Punta Roca and Galerazamba, on the central Colombian Caribbean Coast. The Microplastics Pollution Index (MPPI) and Coefficient of Microplastic Impact (CMPI) were developed and applied along with the Environmental Status Index (ESI) and their integration through sector analysis, and mapping using Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering and Multidimensional Scaling, and Principal Components Analysis. Microplastics abundances (densities) ranged from 2457 to 557 MPs/kg, similar to other global beaches and bays. The MPs Index for the 23 beaches classified 8 beaches as Moderate, 10 beaches as High and 5 as Very High. Microplastic fibers were the dominant typology at 83% of the combined beaches total (ranging from Moderate to Very High for individual beaches).

Automated summary

The study highlights the seriousness of microplastic pollution in coastal and marine environments, focusing on 23 beaches on the central Colombian Caribbean Coast. It reveals high densities of microplastics, mainly in the form of microplastic fibers.