Keywords
polypropylene
beach sand
How to Cite
Abstract
Microplastic pollution in beach sand is a growing global concern due to its ubiquity and the diversity of shapes, sizes, and polymer composition, which complicates its management. In Venezuela, the significant presence of microplastics in coastal environments has been documented, with potential implications for marine ecosystems and human health due to their persistence and bioaccumulation. This study evaluated the abundance, distribution and characteristics of microplastics in the sand of three tourist beaches in northeastern Venezuela, sampled during dry, transition, and rainy periods, following the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) protocol. The microplastics were separated using a stereoscopic magnifying glass and classified by shape and color, with 511 particles counted during the study period. In terms of spatial variation in density, no significant differences were found at the three beaches studied. However, Venalum Beach showed significant differences in shape and color between the climatic periods. The most abundant microplastics were transparent fibers, chemically composed of nylon, followed by blue and black fibers, and finally white and red fibers, the latter two made of polypropylene. The predominance of nylon and polypropylene suggests possible sources related to fishing and domestic activities, highlighting the need for specific mitigation strategies for the Venezuelan coast.
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