Microplastics in tourist beaches of Huatulco Bay, Pacific coast of southern Mexico.
The presence and impacts of plastic marine debris (PMD) have been documented in the oceans worldwide, and they deserve special attention. This study is the first to report the presence of microplastics in tourist beaches located in Huatulco Bay, southern Mexico. A total of 70 beach sediment samples (for 2 distinct seasons) were collected from Huatulco Bay in April 2013 and December 2014. The samples were subsequently extracted by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to identify the fibrous microplastics (diameter<5mm). The maximum number of fibrous materials was found in April 2013 and December 2014 in the Rincón Sabroso beach (48/30g sediment) and the Cuatunalco beach (69/30g sediment), respectively. Overall, a high amount of microplastics is present in the Conejos, Tangolunda, Santa Cruz, and San Agustin beaches. The microplastics are mainly derived from tourism-based activities and effluents discharged from the hotels and restaurants located along the beaches.
Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones y Estudios sobre Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo (CIIEMAD), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Calle 30 de Junio de 1520, Barrio la Laguna Ticomán, Del. Gustavo A. Madero, C.P. 07340 México DF, Mexico.
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Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones y Estudios sobre Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo (CIIEMAD), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Calle 30 de Junio de 1520, Barrio la Laguna Ticomán, Del. Gustavo A. Madero, C.P. 07340 México DF, Mexico. Electronic address: mpjonathan7@yahoo.com.
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Jonathan
Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones y Estudios sobre Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo (CIIEMAD), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Calle 30 de Junio de 1520, Barrio la Laguna Ticomán, Del. Gustavo A. Madero, C.P. 07340 México DF, Mexico.
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Shruti
Departamento de Ingeniería Eléctrica-SEES, CINVESTAV-IPN, Av IPN 2508, Col. Zacatenco, C.P. 07360 México DF, Mexico.
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Velumani
Department of Marine Science, University of Calcutta, 35, Ballygunge Circular Road, Kolkata 700 019, India.
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Sarkar
Instituto de Geología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad Universitaria, C.P. 04510, Coyoacan, México DF, Mexico.
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Roy
Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones y Estudios sobre Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo (CIIEMAD), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Calle 30 de Junio de 1520, Barrio la Laguna Ticomán, Del. Gustavo A. Madero, C.P. 07340 México DF, Mexico.
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Rodríguez-Espinosa
D001493:Bathing Beaches; D061006:Bays; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D008800:Mexico; D010969:Plastics
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D010969:Plastics
Beach sediment; Huatulco Bay; Mexico; Microplastics; Scanning electron microscope; Tourist