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Abundance, Characterization, and Distribution of Marine Litter in Samar, Philippines: A Comparison Between Mainland and Island Beaches
Summary
A systematic beach litter survey in Samar, Philippines found plastic comprising 86% of mainland beach litter and 60% on island beaches, with shoreline recreational activities as the dominant source, revealing significant differences in contamination between coastal typologies. This study is directly relevant to microplastic research as high plastic litter density on Philippine beaches represents a major source of secondary microplastic generation through UV-driven fragmentation and mechanical weathering in the marine environment.
Marine litter is a growing global environmental issue that poses a significant threat to ecosystems, marine life, and human health. Although awareness of marine pollution has grown in the Philippines in recent years, knowledge of its impacts remains limited in some parts of the country. This study assesses the composition, sources, and clean-coast index (CCI) of marine litter on both mainland and island beaches in Samar. Marine litter was assessed by delineating a 100-meter transect and randomly selecting ten 2 m x 2 m quadrats for analysis. Results revealed higher litter densities on mainland beaches (1.14 items/m²) than on island beaches (1.00 items/m²), with plastics comprising 86% of the litter on mainland beaches and 60% on island beaches. Cleanliness ratings showed a wide range for mainland beaches, from clean to extremely dirty, while island beaches were rated as dirty to extremely dirty. The primary sources of litter were shoreline and recreational activities, contributing 75% of the total waste. These findings highlight differences in litter composition and density, underscoring the need for improved waste management, public education, and continuous monitoring. To effectively mitigate marine litter, coordinated efforts between communities and government agencies are crucial, with a focus on sustainable waste reduction.