Plastic Pellets in the Sandy Sediment of Beaches on the Middle Coast of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Purpose: Pellets are plastic granules used in the industry to manufacture many materials and can be lost to the environment throughout the production chain. This study evaluated the number of pellets on beaches, on the middle coast of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, a region with low urban agglomeration, and few studies on this topic. The quantity found in relation to the distance from the port of Rio Grande was also evaluated. Method: The collection of sandy sediment occurred in three seasons of the year and, for each beach, quadrants were sampled at the mark of the last high tide Results and conclusion: 96.26% of the pellets were collected in spring, 3.74% in autumn, and none in summer. Storm events and large amounts of organic matter may explain the result in spring, while strong winds may have influenced the summer collection. The results found did not show a direct relationship with the distance from the Port, since there was no well-defined distribution pattern. Research implications: It is essential to map the loss of pellets in the environment, including in sparsely urbanized areas. Pellets can be lost during transport at sea, where currents and winds can carry them to different regions. Therefore, control and management measures for losses of these materials are necessary. Originality/value: The work is unprecedented and maps pollution by plastic pellets on beaches with little anthropogenic activity in Rio Grande do Sul. The results indicate that is important an integrate coastal management.