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Microplastics in tourist beaches of Huatulco Bay, Pacific coast of southern Mexico
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Researchers conducted the first survey of microplastics on tourist beaches in Huatulco Bay, Mexico, collecting 70 sediment samples across two seasons and finding fibrous microplastics at all sampled beaches, with the highest counts linked to tourism activity and hotel and restaurant effluent discharge.
The presence and impacts of plastic marine debris (PMD) have been documented in the oceans worldwide, and they deserve special attention. This study is the first to report the presence of microplastics in tourist beaches located in Huatulco Bay, southern Mexico. A total of 70 beach sediment samples (for 2 distinct seasons) were collected from Huatulco Bay in April 2013 and December 2014. The samples were subsequently extracted by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to identify the fibrous microplastics (diameter<5mm). The maximum number of fibrous materials was found in April 2013 and December 2014 in the Rincón Sabroso beach (48/30g sediment) and the Cuatunalco beach (69/30g sediment), respectively. Overall, a high amount of microplastics is present in the Conejos, Tangolunda, Santa Cruz, and San Agustin beaches. The microplastics are mainly derived from tourism-based activities and effluents discharged from the hotels and restaurants located along the beaches.
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Microplastics in surface waters surrounding a touristic beach at the Gulf of California, Mexico
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Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in surface waters around a popular tourist beach in Mexico's Gulf of California, finding that particle levels roughly doubled after spring vacation compared to before. Fibers were the most abundant type, and concentrations were highest closest to tourist activity. The results directly link human recreational activity to spikes in coastal microplastic pollution, underscoring the role of tourism in contaminating marine environments.
Microplastic contamination and fluxes in a touristic area at the SE Gulf of California
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Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in beach sands, surface waters, and sediment traps in the tourist city of Mazatlan, Mexico, finding higher concentrations during the rainy season and in urban areas, with polyethylene and polypropylene fragments being the most abundant types.
Identificación y cuantificación de microplásticos en sedimentos de tres playas recreativas de la costa de Campeche
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Researchers identified and quantified microplastics in sediments from three recreational beaches in Campeche, Mexico, comparing concentrations across different seasons and sampling locations. The study found microplastics at all sites, with seasonal variation suggesting that weather patterns influence microplastic distribution on these tourist beaches.
Abundance and composition of microplastics in Tampico beach sediments, Tamaulipas State, southern Gulf of Mexico
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Researchers analyzed beach sediments from Tampico, Mexico, on the Gulf of Mexico coast and found microplastics present in all samples. The most common types were fragments and fibers made of polyethylene and polypropylene, and concentrations ranged from 256 to 2,830 particles per 20 grams of sediment. The study adds to growing evidence that microplastic contamination is widespread along Gulf of Mexico coastlines.
Linking the Tourism Activity to the Occurrence and Distribution of Microplastics
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Researchers assessed microplastic abundance, type, and spatial distribution in coastal water, sediments, and fish across three zones of Gili Trawangan, Indonesia, finding that tourism-related activities concentrated microplastics at recreational beaches with concentrations reaching 19.25 particles/L.
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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.