Solid waste and microplastics on the beaches of Holbox island, Mexico

Abstract

Solid waste (SW) and microplastics (MP) are present in different parts of the marine and coastal environment, including remote areas such as islands. In the Mexican Caribbean, there are around 87 islands that are characterized by their white sand beaches, blue sea, and vast diversity of flora and fauna; protected natural areas have been established in some of these islands to preserve ecosystems and their integral functions. This research aimed to study the presence of MP, SW, and plastic containers (PC) on the Mexican island “Holbox”, which is part of the Yum Balam protected area. The MP were studied in three beach areas of the urban area with different tourist influx, SW was studied in a beach area with high tourist influx, and the PC were studied in a virgin beach. The mean concentration of MP and SW was 49.37 ± 45.55 MP/m2 and 0.116 ± 0.023 pieces/m2, respectively. On the virgin beach of the island, 72 plastic containers were found, 28 of which came from other countries, mainly from the Caribbean islands. The results provide information on marine pollution by SW, MP, and PC on Holbox island; all these kinds of waste can come from unsuitable waste management in the island (in the dumpsite) or be transported to the island by marine currents.