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Beach Cleanliness and Marine Debris Characteristics for Sustainable Coastal Tourism in Prigi Bay, Indonesia
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Researchers examined the ingestion of microplastic-sized fluorescent particles by filter-feeding bivalves and their subsequent clearance under different experimental conditions, finding that particle size and concentration influenced retention in gill tissue. The study provides controlled experimental evidence for microplastic retention mechanisms in bivalve filter feeders and informs understanding of dietary exposure dynamics in edible shellfish.
Tourist activity significantly impacts coastal ecosystems, often leading to increased marine debris pollution. This study examines the influence of tourism on beach cleanliness by analyzing marine debris composition, abundance, and Clean Coast Index (CCI) at four recreational beaches in Prigi Bay, Trenggalek, Indonesia (Cengkrong, Prigi, Karanggongso, and Mutiara). Sampling was conducted in March–April 2024, using a 5×5 m quadrat transect method placed at 20 m intervals along the shoreline in the backshore zone. The Mann-Whitney U test was applied to assess differences in debris accumulation between weekdays and weekends. Results indicated that plastic debris was the dominant type across all sites, with debris abundance slightly higher on weekends (54%) than weekdays (46%). Moreover, the mass of accumulated debris was significantly greater on weekends (1.93 items.m⁻², 8.86 g.m⁻²) than on weekdays (1.57 items.m⁻², 4.69 g.m⁻²), primarily due to an increase in larger debris items (10–100 cm), likely associated with tourism-related waste such as food packaging and recreational items. Despite these fluctuations, all beaches exhibited "extremely dirty" CCI scores (>20), indicating persistent pollution beyond tourism activity. Additional contributing factors may include inefficient waste management, fishing-related debris, and marine transport mechanisms. These findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive waste management strategies, including source reduction, regular cleanups, improved waste disposal infrastructure, and public awareness campaigns, to mitigate long-term environmental and socio-economic impacts in Prigi Bay. Furthermore, integrating this measure into sustainable coastal tourism planning is crucial to balance recreational use with environmental preservation.
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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.
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Researchers surveyed the abundance, distribution, and types of marine debris on Thondi coast in southeast India, including the Clean Coast Index as a measure of beach cleanliness. The study found significant marine debris driven by fishing, aquaculture, and poor solid waste management in the area.
Abundance and distribution of anthropogenic marine litter in Hatiya and Nijhum Dwip Island, Bangladesh
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This study surveyed marine litter abundance and distribution on beaches of Hatiya and Nijhum Dwip Islands in Bangladesh, finding plastic as the dominant debris type at 47–61% of items depending on site. The study applied the Clean Coast Index to assess beach quality and recommended both short-term cleanup actions and long-term management frameworks to protect marine biodiversity.
Impacts of Tourism on Marine Debris and Microplastic Detection at Samui Island, Southern Thailand
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This study investigated types, amounts, and sources of marine debris and microplastics at beaches on Samui Island, Thailand with different levels of beach cleanup activity. Researchers found that more frequent beach cleaning significantly reduced debris loads but did not eliminate microplastic contamination.
Sustainable Tourism as the Management Option for Litter Problems in Tasik and Leuweung Sancang Garut Coastal Areas, Indonesia
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Researchers assessed marine debris and plastic litter problems along the Tasikmalaya and Garut coastline in Indonesia and evaluated sustainable tourism as a management strategy. They found that remote beaches had less contamination than village-adjacent beaches, and that tourism development without proper waste management worsened litter accumulation. The study recommends integrating sustainable tourism practices with waste reduction to address coastal plastic pollution.
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