preprints.org > environmental and earth sciences > environmental science > doi: 10.20944/preprints202312.1914.v1

Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Version 1 : Received: 25 December 2023 / Approved: 25 December 2023 / Online: 26 December 2023 (10:06:56 CET)

The amount and composition of litter was evaluated, during May and June 2021, at two urban beaches, i.e. La Victoria and La Cortadura, in Cadiz, SW Spain. Surveys were daily carried out in the morning and in the evening during the week−ends to quantify the daily accumulation of beach litter and relate it with the number of beach users, which was assessed at around 1:00 p.m. Litter amount was also related to clean-up operations that very mechanically and manually carried out each day very early in the morning. A total of 8108 items were collected at the two investigated sectors during the study period and beach visitors were quantified in each one of 22 surveys. Plastic was the most common material representing 82% in La Victoria and 68% in La Cortadura. The most common items were cigarette butts and small hard plastic fragments. Some hazardous litter items for beach visitors were identified such as broken glass. The number of visitors has been positively related to the amount of litter. Significant differences were seen in the litter abundance between the morning and afternoon assessments since the beaches are daily cleaned and show bins to facilitate litter disposal. Cleaning operations remove much of the litter items but always leave low quantities of small items uncollected. Efforts to prevent litter on these beaches should focus on informing visitors properly in order to avoid dumping and on improving clean-up operations.

Andalusia; Beach users; Cigarette butts; Cleaning efforts; Coastal management; Plastic pollution; 3S tourism

Environmental and Earth Sciences, Environmental Science

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