Transformation of plastic debris to microplastics: An approximate analysis of mangrove environments

Mangrove ecosystems serve as critical natural filters and retention points for continental waste entering the sea, making them primary accumulation sites for solid waste, such as plastics. These plastics undergo transformation from macroplastics to microplastics through weathering. We investigated the resistance and degradation process of plastic waste in the mangrove swamp of the Botanical Garden at the Autonomous University of Carmen, focusing specifically on its transformation into microplastics over time. By quantifying the collected waste and identifying by-products, we evaluated the degradation process of these materials, which impact the environment and become microplastics. Our analysis provided a detailed approximation of this transformation process through the quantification and examination of collected waste and its by-products. We explored the degradation dynamics and their environmental ramifications. Using data derived from collected waste samples, we estimated an annual generation of 12,300 kg of plastic waste and 1,351 kg of microplastics. This latter figure represents 11% of the total annual plastic waste, posing a significant threat to the biodiversity and ecological balance of mangroves. Our findings underscore the urgent need for more effective and sustainable waste management practices within these critical ecosystems. Furthermore, this research emphasizes the importance of continuous monitoring and investigation of degradation processes to better understand the long-term effects of plastic pollution on mangrove environments and to develop effective strategies to mitigate its adverse impacts.