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Semi-enclosed estuarine beaches as hotspots of marine litter accumulation: integrating seasonal assessment and hydrodynamic modeling
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Researchers found that beaches in a river-and-bay area on India's west coast get flooded with trash—over 90% of it plastic—especially during monsoon season, when rain washes litter from cities into the water. This matters because much of that plastic breaks down into microplastics that can end up in seafood and drinking water, and the study shows poor waste management on land is the main culprit, meaning better trash systems in cities could directly reduce the plastic pollution people are exposed to through the coastal environment and food chain.
Anthropogenic marine litter has emerged as one of the most pervasive environmental problems worldwide, exerting multifaceted ecological, economic, and social impacts. This study assessed the seasonal dynamics and composition of beached litter on urbanized tropical beaches located within a semi-enclosed estuarine bay system along the west coast of India. A total of 5695 litter items were recorded, with the highest abundance observed during the monsoon season (N = 3571; 14.28 ± 0.54 items. m), followed by post-monsoon (N = 1080; 4.32 ± 0.80 items m) and pre-monsoon (N = 1044; 4.17 ± 0.79 items m). Across all seasons, plastics consistently dominated the litter composition, representing more than 90% of the total litter items. Seasonal differences in litter density were statistically significant, with litter densities during the monsoon season being markedly higher than those recorded during the pre- and post-monsoon periods, indicating the important role of enhanced river discharge, surface runoff, and hydrodynamic transport processes in driving litter accumulation along estuarine beaches. Beach environmental quality was evaluated using multiple environmental indices, including the Clean Coast Index (CCI), Clean Environment Index (CEI), Plastic Abundance Index (PAI), Hazardous Item Index (HII), Pollution Load Index (PLI), and Environmental Status Index (ESI), which consistently revealed the poor environmental quality and elevated pollution risk, particularly during the monsoon. The Delft3D FM modeling framework demonstrated that local hydrodynamic processes govern the advection, retention, and redistribution of anthropogenic litter. Source apportionment analysis revealed that land-based activities contributed more than 75% of total litter across all seasons, driven by urban runoff, tourism, and inadequate waste management. The study underscores the urgent need for comprehensive waste management strategies and seasonal intervention measures to mitigate litter impacts on tropical coastal systems.
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Researchers tracked plastic litter on two beaches in Ratnagiri, India for a year and found that pollution nearly doubled during monsoon season, mostly from plastic bags and packaging washed in by rivers. While these beaches are cleaner than famous tourist spots like Goa and Mumbai, the trend signals that fast-growing coastal towns need better waste management now—before plastic buildup worsens and breaks down into microplastics that can enter seafood and, ultimately, our bodies.
Spatial and seasonal variation of microplastics and possible sources in the estuarine system from central west coast of India
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Researchers collected samples from an estuarine system on India's west coast across two seasons, finding significant spatial and seasonal variation in microplastic abundance — with monsoon season delivering higher loads — and identifying local fishing activities and urban runoff as primary sources.
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Scientists used computer modeling to track how plastic waste moves through Lamong Bay in Indonesia, finding that ocean currents and seasonal wind patterns push floating plastic debris toward river mouths and different parts of the bay depending on the time of year. This matters because that plastic breaks down into microplastics that can enter the food chain through fish and shellfish harvested from these waters, and this kind of pollution-tracking research helps identify where cleanup efforts would have the biggest impact.
Source Apportionment of Marine Microplastics: First Step Towards Managing Microplastic Pollution
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Monthly beach sediment sampling in India identified the sources of microplastics deposited on the coast, finding higher plastic loads during monsoon seasons. Identifying specific pollution sources is essential for targeting interventions to reduce microplastic input to marine environments.
A particle tracking model approach to determine the dispersal of riverine plastic debris released into the Indian Ocean
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Researchers developed a particle tracking model to simulate the dispersal of riverine plastic debris released into the Indian Ocean from surrounding landmasses. The study found that plastic accumulation on beaches peaked during monsoon seasons, with ocean currents, wind, and wave action driving distinct transport patterns, providing valuable data for identifying high-risk coastal areas and informing cleanup strategies.
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