Journal article

Litter Content of Colombian Beaches and Mangrove Forests: Results from the Caribbean and Pacific Coasts


Authors listBolivar-Anillo, Hernando Jose; Asensio-Montesinos, Francisco; Almeida, Giovanna Reyes; Llanos, Nataly Solano; Moreno, Hernando Sanchez; Orozco-Sanchez, Christian J.; Daza, Diego Andres Villate; Iglesias-Navas, Maria Auxiliadora; Anfuso, Giorgio

Publication year2023

JournalJournal of Marine Science and Engineering

Volume number11

Issue number2

eISSN2077-1312

Open access statusGold

DOI Linkhttps://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11020250

PublisherMDPI


Abstract
Litter abundance and typology were investigated at different beaches and mangrove forests at nine sites on the Colombian Caribbean and Pacific coasts. Average litter abundance on the Caribbean Sea beaches (1.42 items/m(2)-12.21 g/m(2)) and in mangrove forests (1.29 items/m(2)-28.72 g/m(2)) were greater than that of the Pacific Ocean beaches (0 items/m(2)-0 g/m(2)) and mangrove forests (1.13 items/m(2)-79.41 g/m(2)). The most abundant litter material was plastic, which represented 93.61% of the total litter content. According to the Clean Coast Index, the sites analyzed in the Caribbean Sea were "Moderate" to "Extremely Dirty", while those in the Pacific Ocean were "Clean" to "Moderate Dirty". The Magdalena River is considered the main source of litter on the Caribbean Sea coast, while on the Pacific Ocean coast, litter is essentially associated with the mismanagement of solid wastes. This study constitutes a baseline on the litter content of beaches and mangrove forests, and is useful for establishing sound strategies for their protection, restoration and conservation.



Citation Styles

Harvard Citation styleBolivar-Anillo, H., Asensio-Montesinos, F., Almeida, G., Llanos, N., Moreno, H., Orozco-Sanchez, C., et al. (2023) Litter Content of Colombian Beaches and Mangrove Forests: Results from the Caribbean and Pacific Coasts, Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 11(2), Article 250. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11020250

APA Citation styleBolivar-Anillo, H., Asensio-Montesinos, F., Almeida, G., Llanos, N., Moreno, H., Orozco-Sanchez, C., Daza, D., Iglesias-Navas, M., & Anfuso, G. (2023). Litter Content of Colombian Beaches and Mangrove Forests: Results from the Caribbean and Pacific Coasts. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering. 11(2), Article 250. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11020250



Keywords


3S tourismATLANTICOClean Coast Index (CCI)coastal contaminationDEBRIS ACCUMULATIONdepartment of AtlanticoMAGDALENA RIVERMARINE LITTERPLASTIC DEBRISplastic pollutionSERVICESPATIAL-DISTRIBUTIONTumaco municipality

Last updated on 2025-10-06 at 11:50