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The impact of tourism on marine litter pollution on Santa Marta beaches, Colombian Caribbean
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Tourism significantly increased litter pollution on beaches in Santa Marta, Colombia, with plastics making up 30-77% of macroplastic waste and microplastics ranging from 1 to 355 items per square meter during peak tourist season. Local residents identified tourism as the primary source, highlighting the need for better waste management and public education at coastal destinations.
Tourism is an important socioeconomic activity in coastal communities, which deteriorates marine-coastal ecosystem quality when poorly managed, increasing litter pollution on beaches during the main tourist seasons. This study aims to assess the tourism impact on litter pollution on eleven Santa Marta beaches, Colombian Caribbean. During high and low tourist seasons, people on the beaches were counted, macrolitter and microplastics were sampled, and perception surveys about litter on beaches were conducted. During the high tourist season, the number of people and macrolitter pollution increased, compared to the low tourist season. Plastics accounted for 30%-77% of macrolitter and microplastics ranged from 1 to 355 items/m. Respondents identified tourism as a main litter source and plastics as the most common litter type. All assessed beaches are impacted by tourism causing litter pollution, therefore, stronger controls, educational, and awareness strategies are needed to reduce litter pollution and prevent ecological and socioeconomic impacts.
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Temporal variability of plastic litter in two sand beaches of San Andres Island, Colombian Caribbean
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Beach surveys on San Andres Island in the Colombian Caribbean over three seasons found that microplastic fragments dominated plastic litter across both beaches, with the highest totals occurring during the dry season. The seasonal and spatial patterns suggest that ocean currents and tourism activity both contribute to contamination, and the findings highlight ongoing plastic pollution pressures on a biodiverse Caribbean island ecosystem.
Plastic litter pollution along sandy beaches in the Caribbean and Pacific coast of Colombia
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Researchers surveyed plastic litter pollution on 43 beaches along Colombia's Caribbean and Pacific coasts, documenting the types and quantities present and calling for locally adapted management strategies.
Marine litter and microplastic pollution on mangrove soils of the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta, Colombian Caribbean
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Researchers assessed marine litter and microplastic contamination in mangrove soils of Colombia's largest coastal lagoon system for the first time. They found significantly higher litter concentrations near populated areas, with plastics comprising up to 96% of all debris, and microplastic levels varying widely across sampling sites. The study highlights the link between inadequate waste management in coastal communities and microplastic accumulation in ecologically important mangrove habitats.
Microplastics pollution on Colombian Central Caribbean beaches
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Researchers conducted a baseline survey of microplastic contamination on Colombia's Central Caribbean Coast beaches, documenting MP types, sizes, and polymer compositions for the first time in that region and finding primarily secondary microplastics from fragmented larger debris.
Coastal populations and river discharges as sources of microplastic pollution of the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta, Colombian Caribbean
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Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in surface waters of the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta coastal lagoon in Colombia and assessed the contribution of coastal populations and river discharges as pollution sources. MPs were detected throughout this internationally protected Ramsar site, with proximity to populated areas and river inputs driving spatial variation in contamination.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.