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Characterization of microplastics in beach sediments and surface water at Corn Island, Nicaraguan Caribbean
Original title: Caracterización de microplásticos en sedimentos de playa y agua superficial en Corn Island, Caribe nicaragüense
Summary
Researchers found tiny plastic bits (mostly broken-down fragments smaller than a grain of rice) piling up in the sand at busy tourist beaches on Corn Island, Nicaragua, especially in the higher, drier areas where waves don't reach as often. While these microplastics weren't found floating in the surrounding water, their buildup in sand matters because they can work their way into the food chain through fish and shellfish, and eventually onto our plates — a reminder that cutting back on single-use plastics at tourist destinations could help protect both beaches and the seafood we eat.
Microplastic pollution represents an emerging problem in marine-coastal ecosystems, particularly in island settings with high tourism pressure. The objective of this study was to assess the abundance, spatial distribution, and morphological characteristics of microplastics in beach sediments and surface water on Corn Island, Nicaragua, considering anthropogenic influences on the coastal environment. The research was conducted using a descriptive–analytical design, employing systematic transects in the high-tide and supralittoral zones of Picnic Center and Long Beach. Sediment samples were collected using 0.5 m² frames, and surface water samples were collected via dredging, following protocols used by Cabrera (2018) for the identification and quantification of microplastics. The results showed a higher accumulation of microplastics in sediments in the supralittoral zone and at Picnic Center Beach, which is characterized by high anthropogenic pressure. Microplastics smaller than 1 mm, with amorphous and fragmented shapes predominated, suggesting advanced plastic degradation processes. No microplastics were detected in the surface water samples, indicating a differential distribution among environmental compartments and highlighting the role of sediments as the primary reservoirs. It is concluded that microplastic pollution is closely associated with the tourist use of beaches and manifests primarily as a process of sedimentary accumulation. The findings underscore the need to strengthen environmental monitoring in the supralittoral zone and to implement solid waste management strategies aimed at reducing the use of single-use plastics in island ecosystems.