Sampling and quantification methodology for floating solid wastes in beaches

Abstract

The suggested methodology aims to typify the solid waste found on the aquatic surface of the touristic beaches in Cartagena de Indias. In addition, it was designed and implemented water samplers for floating solid waste to evaluate, in a wide swath, the composition of the waste that is cast into the seawaters and affects the quality of the beach as a touristic attraction as well as disturbing a healthy aquatic ecosystem. Such developed methodology comprises both the optimal samplers size based on information from the waste accumulation curves, plus the samples size standardization for estimations of total waste content through statistical sampling techniques such as MAS and MSL. This sampling was performed in parallel and perpendicular to the coastline by using devices with specifications of 1.0 m, 0.75 m and 0.5 m width; therefore the 0.75 m width device came to be the most efficient one, whereas the movement is perpendicular due to the variety of solid waste collected. The results, along with the process of the Project implementation, provide valuable information for the development of protocols and new parameters according to environmental quality index for touristic beaches up-to-date; thus abiding by the environmental quality program framework for beaches in the Colombian Northern Caribbean area.