Comparative analysis of macro, meso and micro waste at two tropical beaches, Southwest, Brazil

Abstract

The present study aimed to analyze the presence of macro, meso and micro waste at Baleia and As Ilhas beach, Southwest, Brazil. The protocol proposed in 2013 by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), was used to carry out the assessment of marine litter. Besides identifying the chemical composition of the polymer of the plastic items found, through Raman spectroscopy. The predominance of plastic at the studied beaches was evidenced in this study, corroborating with the findings in the scientific literature, for macro waste plastics represented 51 % at As Ilhas and 48 % at Baleia beach and 65 % at As Ilhas and 89 % at Baleia beach for micro waste. The most common compounds found were Polypropylene (PP) and Polystyrene (PS). It can be inferred that the users of the beaches in question are directly linked to the presence of trash in these environments, especially due to its inadequate disposal.