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Assessment of microplastics particles (0.3–5 mm) in sandy beaches of Cuba
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Researchers conducted the first assessment of microplastic pollution on sandy beaches in Cuba, sampling four beaches with different characteristics on the island's north and south coasts. They found microplastics at three of four sites, with the highest abundance of 95 particles per square meter at a beach inside Cienfuegos Bay. Polyethylene was the most common polymer, followed by polypropylene and polystyrene, with fragments being the dominant shape.
Microplastics (MPs) are considered one of the main pollution issues on the planet. This study constitutes the initial assessment of MPs on sandy beaches in Cuba. Four beaches with different characteristics and anthropogenic activities were selected on the north and south coasts of the island's central region. MPs (0.3-5 mm) were identified at three out of four beaches studied, with 0-196 MPs m (0-47 MPs kg). The MPs found on the south coast, Tetas de Tomasa Beach in Cienfuegos Bay, exhibited the highest average abundance, 95 ± 61 MPs m, followed by Rancho Luna with 3 ± 4 MPs m. On the north coast, Las Gaviotas Beach showed an average abundance of 2 ± 4 MPs m, and no MPs were found at Cañón Beach. Fragments were the main morphology (55 %), while the most prevalent colors were white/transparent (65.2 %) and blue (19.4 %). Polyethylene was the predominant synthetic polymer (52 %), followed by polypropylene (32 %) and polystyrene (14 %).
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.