title: Macrodebris and microplastics from beaches in Slovenia.
abstract: The amount of marine debris in the environment is increasing worldwide, which results in an array of negative effects to biota. This study provides the first account of macrodebris on the beach and microplastics in the sediment (shoreline and infralittoral) in relation to tourism activities in Slovenia. The study assessed the quality and quantity of macrodebris and the quality, size and quantity of microplastics at six beaches, contrasting those under the influences of tourism and those that were not. Beach cleanliness was estimated using the Clean Coast Index. Tourism did not seem to have an effect on macrodebris or microplastic quantity at beaches. Over 64% of macrodebris was plastic, and microplastics were ubiquitous, which calls for classification of plastics as hazardous materials. Standard measures for marine debris assessment are needed, especially in the form of an all-encompassing debris index. Recommendations for future assessments are provided for the Adriatic region.
authors.affiliation: Ghent University, Marine Biology Research Group, Krijgslaan 281/S8, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: b.laglbauer@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Betty J L
authors.initials: BJL
authors.lastname: Laglbauer
authors.affiliation: Ghent University, Marine Biology Research Group, Krijgslaan 281/S8, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; Center for Marine Studies, Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Av. Beira Mar, Caixa Postal 61, Pontal do Paraná, PR 83.255-976, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rita Melo
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Franco-Santos
authors.affiliation: Ghent University, Marine Biology Research Group, Krijgslaan 281/S8, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium; Centro de Conservación Marina, Estación Costera de Investigaciones Marinas, Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins 340, C.P 6513667, Chile.
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Andreu-Cazenave
authors.affiliation: Ghent University, Marine Biology Research Group, Krijgslaan 281/S8, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brunelli
authors.affiliation: Ghent University, Marine Biology Research Group, Krijgslaan 281/S8, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Papadatou
authors.affiliation: Institute for Water of the Republic of Slovenia, Hajdrihova 28 c, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Andreja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palatinus
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Biology - Marine Biology Station of Piran, Fornace 41, 6330 Piran, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Mateja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grego
authors.affiliation: Ghent University, Marine Biology Research Group, Krijgslaan 281/S8, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Deprez
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004787:Environmental Pollution; D006801:Humans; D010969:Plastics / Q000032:analysis*; D011998:Recreation; D017524:Slovenia; D014866:Waste Products / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D010969:Plastics; D014866:Waste Products
keywords: Adriatic; Human-impact; Marine debris; Plastic; Pollution; Tourism