An Unexpected Consequence of Plastic Litter Clean-Up on Beaches: Too Much Sand Might Be Removed

Abstract

We removed plastic meso- and macro-litter (PML) during a beach clean-up practice on a protected Mediterranean sandy beach in central Italy from the high tide line to a berm half-way up the beach and from the berm to a sand dune the rest of the way up the beach. Plastic fragments, cotton buds, and expanded polystyrene (EPS) fragments were the most common categories constituting about 90% of total abundance. We separated sand from PML and found that the weight of the sand was about 14% of the total weight removed. Although our data may be affected by local factors, they have general implications for management actions. Environmental practitioners who develop projects in beach cleaning should pay attention when removing PML since a significant amount of sand could be unintentionally removed resulting in unnecessary material in landfills or other disposal, and over time potentially could significantly affect sandy beaches.

Acknowledgments

All authors have materially participated in the research and/or article preparation. This work was carried out during the ordinary management actions promoted by the Città Metropolitana di Roma Capitale, the Park Agency that manages the “Palude di Torre Flavia” natural Monument (D.P.G.R. 613/1997). The following students participated in the beach clean-up: A. Profir, A. Fiori, A. Cera, A. Riccieri, A. Di Caro, A. Pira, A. Di Gennaro, D. Alfonsi, A. Ciufo, A. Dassa, C. Bandiera, S. Biondi, C. D'Agostino, G. Cremisini, D. Corda, E. Amanti, E. Cesarani, E. Bottiglieri, F. Oliveti, F. Marzialetti, F. Sorbo, G. Cesaretti, G. Scarparo, C. Iannelli, L. Occhipinti, L. Giorgio, L. Stellati, M. Di Battista, M. Molfini, M.C. De Falco, M.S. Di Blasi, P. Bifano, M.Prosperi, S. Di Giambattista, S. Bersani, S. Fantini, S. De Martini, S. De Salvo. Alessandro Zocchi reviewed the first version of the English language of this article. We want to express special thanks to Peter M. Chapman (Golder Associates Ltd, Fellow SETAC, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Senior Environmental Scientist) who has carefully re-read all the text by providing helpful comments and suggestions: we followed your suggestions (see Chapman, 2014) that largely improved the readability of this manuscript. Finally, we wish to thank also three anonymous reviewers and the Managing Editor (Ruth Gaulke) for your further comments and suggestions.