Cleaning efficiency in a Southwestern Atlantic sandy beach

Abstract

Although the assessment of beach cleaning efficiency evaluation would be desirable for management purposes, the practice is not common. This evaluation is crucial for the safety of beachgoers, conservation efforts aiming to preserve ecological services, and the sustainable development of the oceans. The main goal of this work was to assess the efficiency of the beach cleaning method adopted in a Southwestern Atlantic beach, and assess the richness, abundance, and composition of anthropogenic debris in areas of the beach with kiosks or without them. 5,584 debris items distributed in 22 garbage categories were found. Both richness and abundance of debris were higher in the kiosks areas compared to areas with no kiosks, and debris types differed in areas with and with no kiosks. The richness and abundance of debris did not change before and after beach cleaning. Our results highlight the inefficiency of the cleaning operation in the studied beach and point towards an urgent need of change in the cleaning strategy at Camboinhas beach and similarly cleaned beaches to achieve proper beach cleaning.