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Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Marine & Wildlife Sign in to save

Microplastics in tourist beaches of Huatulco Bay, Pacific coast of southern Mexico

Marine Pollution Bulletin 2016 162 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count.
I. Retama, M.P. Jonathan, M.P. Jonathan, V.C. Shruti, V.C. Shruti, S. Velumani, S.K. Sarkar, Priyadarsi D. Roy, P. F. Rodríguez-Espinosa

Summary

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.

Study Type Environmental

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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