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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.
Marine litter pollution has become a complex global problem, because of the negative ecological and socioeconomic impacts as well as the human health risks that it represents. In Colombia, mangroves are affected by inadequate solid waste management, which results in litter accumulation. Additionally, the information related to this problem is limited avoiding the development of prevention and reduction strategies. For the first time, pollution by marine litter and microplastics were evaluated in mangrove soils of the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta, where 540 ± 137 and 31 ± 23 items/ha of marine litter were determined in mangroves near and away from populated centers respectively. Plastics represented between 73 and 96% of litter, and microplastic quantity oscillated between 31 and 2,863 items/kg finding the highest concentrations in mangroves near to the population. This study contributes to the knowledge of the marine litter problem in mangroves of the Colombian Caribbean, becoming a help for their conservation.
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Impacts of marine debris contamination in the mangrove ecosystem of the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta, Colombian Caribbean
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This study assessed the impacts of marine debris, including plastic, on the mangrove ecosystem of Colombia's Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta, finding widespread contamination with negative effects on both ecology and local communities. Mangroves are important coastal filters but are being overwhelmed by plastic inputs.
Assessment of marine litter in the mangrove forest in the Ciénaga de Mallorquín, Colombian Caribbean region
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This paper is not directly about microplastics; it assesses macro marine litter (including plastic debris) in a Colombian mangrove lagoon, finding that plastics dominate the waste but focusing on litter at scales larger than the microplastic size range.
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.
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.
Impactos de la contaminación por basura marina en el ecosistema de manglar de la Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta, Caribe colombiano
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Researchers identified and assessed the negative impacts of marine debris pollution on the mangrove ecosystem of the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta in the Colombian Caribbean, documenting observed and potential impacts through field surveys conducted in February 2018.
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.