title: Plastics and microplastics on recreational beaches in Punta del Este (Uruguay): Unseen critical residents?
abstract: Beaches are social-ecological systems that provide several services improving human well-being. However, as one of the major coastal interfaces they are subject to plastic pollution, one of the most significant global environmental threats at present. For the first time for Uruguayan beaches, this study assessed and quantified the accumulation of plastic and microplastic debris on sandy beaches of the major touristic destination Punta del Este during the austral spring of 2013. Aiming to provide valuable information for decision-making, we performed a detailed analysis of plastic debris, their eventual transport pathways to the coast (from land and sea), and the associated persistent pollutants. The results indicated that the smallest size fractions (<20 mm) were the dominant size range, with fragments and resin pellets as types with the highest number of items. PAHs and PCBs were found in plastic debris, and their levels did not differ from baseline values reported for similar locations. The abundance of plastic debris was significantly and positively correlated with both the presence of possible land-based sources (e.g. storm-water drains, beach bars, beach access, car parking, and roads), and dissipative beach conditions. The analysis of coastal currents suggested some potential deposition areas along Punta del Este, and particularly for resin pellets, although modeling was not conclusive. From a local management point of view, the development and use of indices that allow predicting trends in the accumulation of plastic debris would be critically useful. The time dimension (e.g. seasonal) should also be considered for this threat, being crucial for locations such as Uruguay, where the use of beaches increases significantly during the summer. This first diagnosis aims to generate scientific baseline, necessary for improved management of plastic litter on beaches and their watersheds.
authors.affiliation: Centro Interdisciplinario de Manejo Costero Integrado del Cono Sur (C-MCISur), Centro Universitario de la Región Este (CURE), Universidad de la República (UDELAR), Tacuarembó entre Av. Artigas y Aparicio Saravia, 20000, Maldonado, Uruguay. Electronic address: jlozoya@cure.edu.uy.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Lozoya
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ecología Teórica y Aplicada (CURE, UDELAR), Tacuarembó entre Av. Artigas y Aparicio Saravia, 20000, Maldonado, Uruguay. Electronic address: frantei@fcien.edu.uy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Teixeira de Mello
authors.affiliation: Centro de Astrobiología (INTA-CSIC), Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial, Ctra de Torrejón a Ajalvir (km 4), 28850, Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: dcarrizo@cab.inta-csic.es.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Carrizo
authors.affiliation: Centro Universitario de la Región Este (CURE-UDELAR), Tacuarembó entre Av. Artigas y Aparicio Saravia, 20000, Maldonado, Uruguay. Electronic address: fedeweinstein7@gmail.com.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Weinstein
authors.affiliation: Centro Universitario de la Región Este (CURE-UDELAR), Tacuarembó entre Av. Artigas y Aparicio Saravia, 20000, Maldonado, Uruguay. Electronic address: yamiliaolivera7@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Olivera
authors.affiliation: Centro Universitario de la Región Este (CURE-UDELAR), Tacuarembó entre Av. Artigas y Aparicio Saravia, 20000, Maldonado, Uruguay. Electronic address: titocedres2@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cedrés
authors.affiliation: Centro Universitario de la Región Este (CURE-UDELAR), Tacuarembó entre Av. Artigas y Aparicio Saravia, 20000, Maldonado, Uruguay. Electronic address: mar.pereira235@gmail.com.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Mecánica de los Fluidos e Ingeniería Ambiental (IMFIA), Facultad de Ingeniería (UDELAR), Julio Herrera y Reissig 565 (1º Subsuelo Ala Norte), 11300, Montevideo, Uruguay. Electronic address: mfossati@fing.edu.uy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fossati
mesh_terms: D001493:Bathing Beaches / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017753:Ecosystem; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000032:analysis*; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010969:Plastics / Q000032:analysis*; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis; D014583:Uruguay; D014866:Waste Products / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D010969:Plastics; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014866:Waste Products; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls
keywords: Beach management; Microplastics; POPs; Plastics; Punta del Este; Uruguay