Microdebris in three Spanish Mediterranean beaches located at a sporadic loggerhead turtles’ (Caretta caretta) nesting area

Abstract

We studied microdebris in three western Mediterranean beaches in East Spain. One of them is urban, while the other two are located in a protected environment. Moreover, one of them is used as hatchery for loggerhead turtles’ (Caretta caretta) sporadic nesting activity. Here, we discuss the amount and type of microdebris in the area in different seasons, as well as at the surface and at 40 cm depth, were loggerhead turtles lay their nests. Total mean ± SD in July was 5.66 ± 3.66 MPs/kg at surface and 12.15 ± 7.76 MPs/kg at depth; while in November values were 6.45 ± 4.42 MPs/kg at surface and 5.51 ± 3.14 MPs/kg at depth. There were no significant differences among beaches, months, depths nor protection regime. Polymers found were, by descent order, polyethylene, rubber, latex, polypropylene and ethylene vinyl alcohol; which are mainly used in consumer goods, tires and food packaging. Overall, microdebris in these beaches are not among the highest in the Mediterranean and do not seem to threaten turtles’ reproductive success, although more detailed studies are needed to determine potential effect on embryonic developmental processes.