Abstract
Debris along coastlines is a global issue as it affects ecosystem, human health, tourism and economy; thus, requires more attention from town planners, policy makers and researchers. Various studies have been conducted around the world to identify and quantify the debris, its sources and mitigation strategies; however, it is a pioneer study of its kind in Brunei Darussalam. The current study involves selection of different beaches, debris collection and its physical analysis. Brunei Darussalam has 161 km long coast along South China Sea and the debris was collected from four different beaches in the month of May considering different sources related to anthropogenic, riverine and sea-based activities. The selected areas for study were 110x30 m 2 and collected samples were categorized by number, weight, size and colour. By number, large amount of plastic (91.46%) was found on all four beaches followed by miscellaneous materials. As, the most abundant type of debris was plastic, hence it was further classified on the basis of size and colour. Most of the materials found on these beaches were the result from land based human activities, but the contribution of debris through the waterways is also significant.
Highlights
Marine debris is “any persistent solid material that is manufactured or processed and directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally, disposed of or abandoned into the marine environment of great lakes” [1]
No serious attention was paid on negative impacts of plastic material [6]; it became a serious problem as more research was carried out on its potential health impacts both on aquatic and human lives directly or indirectly[7] [8] [9]
Many studies exist on marine litter [22] [23]; some areas are still not considered for such studies including Brunei Darussalam
Summary
Marine debris is “any persistent solid material that is manufactured or processed and directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally, disposed of or abandoned into the marine environment of great lakes” [1]. Plastic waste is found in coastal zones all over the world [2] It adversely effects marine environment and human life[3]. Many studies exist on marine litter [22] [23]; some areas are still not considered for such studies including Brunei Darussalam. This is one of the pioneer studies of its kind which analyses the debris on four selected beaches of Brunei. Marine debris is one of the growing environmental issues in Brunei Darussalam like many other parts of the world including direct and indirect littering.
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