Differentiating macroplastic and mesoplastic pollution on relatively clean beaches of central Philippines

Abstract

Marine plastic litter exposed to different environmental conditions have the tendency to break and produce smaller plastic debris that threatens marine organism, tourism, livelihood, and health. However, our understanding on the distribution of different sizes of marine plastic litter in marine environments is still limited. This study assessed macroplastic and mesoplastic pollution in eleven residential and five non-residential beaches in Isabel and Merida, Leyte, Philippines. Macroplastics were collected within four quadrats in a delineated 100-m transect line parallel to the shoreline. Sampled litter was then counted, weighed, and sorted into categories. Subsequently, mesoplastic particles were collected from the same quadrats where macroplastic were collected. A total of 562 macroplastic litter and 38 mesoplastics were obtained. Residential sites recorded higher macroplastic and mesoplastic density compared to non-residential sites; however, this is not statistically significant. Dominant macroplastics were sando bags (26.69 %), while mesoplastics are fragmented (50 %), white and green (58 %), and mainly composed of polypropylene (PP) (34 %) as confirmed by FTIR-ATR. The brand audit revealed that Rebisco and PT Mayora Indah TBK were the largest food packaging plastic contributors on the site. Clean-Coast Index classified 75 % of the study sites as clean to moderately clean. Contamination Factors also classified sites having considerable to moderate contamination of mesoplastics. Macroplastic and mesoplastic are not correlated in the area. The result of this study signifies the need to create strategies and strengthen policies to combat plastic pollution. Furthermore, there is a need for industry intervention to produce less packaging and collective effort to achieve plastic net zero.