Search Results (72)

This study investigated the presence and distribution of macrolitter along four beach sites on the Ferrara coast, North-eastern Italy. At each site, monitoring campaigns were conducted from summer 2023 to summer 2024 to assess seasonal and cross-shore fluctuations of litter items and their relations with local geomorphological features. Following the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, 5627 litter items were collected, with an average density of 0.61 ± 0.23 items/m². Plastic was the dominant material, representing 94% of the total. The Clean Coast Index (CCI) was applied to evaluate beach cleanliness, seasonal patterns, and cross-shore litter distribution. Although the sites were generally classified as “Clean”, CCI values revealed a progressive decline in cleanliness from summer to spring. Litter was especially accumulated in the upper backshore and at the dune foot. All macrolitter items were classified by material, typology, and usage category to identify potential sources of release, following the Joint List of Litter Categories for Marine Macrolitter Monitoring. The “Top 10” of the most collected items was compiled per each site, season, and geomorphological zone. The results underscore the relevance of high-resolution monitoring programs to support the development of targeted management strategies for effective beach litter mitigation. Full article

With coastal tourism depending on clean beaches and litter surveys remaining manual, sparse, and costly, this study coupled centimeter-resolution UAV imagery with a Grid R-CNN detector to automate debris mapping on five beaches of Wonsan Island, Korea. Thirty-one Phantom 4 flights (0.83 cm GSD) produced 31,841 orthoimages, while 11 debris classes from the AI Hub dataset trained the model. The network reached 74.9% mAP and 78%/84.7% precision–recall while processing 2.87 images s⁻¹ on a single RTX 3060 Ti, enabling a 6 km shoreline to be surveyed in under one hour. Georeferenced detections aggregated to 25 m grids showed that 57% of high-density cells lay within 100 m of the beach entrances or landward edges, and 86% within 200 m. These micro-patterns, which are difficult to detect in meter-scale imagery, suggest that entrance-focused cleanup strategies could reduce annual maintenance costs by approximately one-fifth. This highlights the potential of centimeter-scale GeoAI in supporting sustainable beach management. Full article

Luxury beach hotels in tropical climates are large consumers of electricity, negatively impacting the environment and their profit margins. Energy efficiency and the incorporation of clean energy are among the main actions contributing to reducing this problem, but the implementation of this second solution is minimal among these types of hotels. A case study was conducted, and it was found that this is primarily due to a lack of space in their facilities. Solutions are proposed by implementing agrivoltaics farms in the areas adjacent to the destination studied. The project is technically, economically, and legally feasible, and the proposed agrivoltaics farms could supply nearly 580 million kWh annually, mitigating emissions of just over 390,000 tCO₂e/year and making Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta a “Green Destination”, thus contributing to meeting international GHG mitigation targets. Full article

The existing management strategies of macrophyte beach wrack are not always environmentally sound. In this study, we tried to assess the impact of the presence or absence of macrophyte beach wrack on the CO₂ flux and the possibility of creating an environmentally sound recycling of macrophyte beach wrack based on their removal from the beach and processing into biochar. The study was conducted on the coast of the Sea of Japan in the bay of Kievka. The Picarro G4301 portable laser gas analyzer was used to measure CO₂ fluxes in areas with and without macrophyte beach wrack. The CO₂ flux was 23 times higher at plots with macrophyte beach wrack, compared with plots without macrophyte beach wrack. In the plots after manual removal of the macrophyte beach wrack, on average, there was a 1.6-fold decrease in flow values compared to the plots with the macrophyte beach wrack. Considering the frequency of emissions in the study area, which is associated with frequent cyclones and storms, it is possible to organize the systematic cleaning of macrophyte beach wrack for the production of biochar. Creating projects based on the conversion of macrophyte beach wrack into biochar can have both environmental and economic benefits. The environmental benefits include the reduction of CO₂ flux at plots after manual removal of macrophyte beach wrack; the long-term storage of carbon from macrophyte beach wrack biomass in the form of biochar; and the reduction of CO₂ flux from soils (carbon sequestration) with the correct technology of introducing biochar into the soil. However, for a more accurate assessment, monitoring seasonal measurements and economic calculations of the entire technological chain of production, risks, and footprint are necessary. Full article

Some stretches of the Brazilian coast are regularly subject to a natural process of macroalgae deposition. In urban beach areas, public institutions responsible for cleaning collect this biomass and dispose of it in landfills. When this biomass is exposed to the sun for a long time in the littoral area, a decomposition process begins and causes greenhouse gas emission into the atmosphere. Macroalgae biomass is a natural resource that could be used for renewable energy, contributing to meeting the growing demand for low environmental impacts of energy, indicating the possibility of participating in sustainable development. The objective of this research was to evaluate the energetic potential of macroalgae biomass deposited on the Maceió coast; specifically, the combustion capacity of aggregate biomass and pellet biofuel produced with macroalgae. The research, which analysed 13 species, proceeded using a calorimetric pump methodology to determine the power heating value and a mass spectrophotometer to determine the available energetic chemical elements. The result of 8.82 MJ/Kg was similar to the main biomass used in Brazil, the sugarcane bagasse, evaluated at 8.91 MJ/Kg. Aggregated macroalgae biomass in condensed pellets with energetic composites obtained a value of 4823 Kcal/Kg, 1.2% more than the average of terrestrial biomass pellets. Therefore, these results show possibilities to produce biofuel using thermal energy from marine macroalgae biomass. Full article

Anthropogenic development has historically concentrated in coastal areas to exploit resources from fishing and commercial navigation. In recent centuries, intensive tourism has added pressure on sandy shorelines, leading to their modification. This development model has led to the disappearance of most coastal sand dunes and their rich biodiversity, which includes specialized plant and animal species adapted to sandy substrates, harsh arid conditions, and variable levels of salinity. The European Community’s conservation policies, particularly the Habitats Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC), have facilitated the preservation and restoration of the few remaining dune systems. However, these policies have unfortunately overlooked the protection of the adjacent beaches, which are integral to the coastal ecosystem. The loss of biodiversity typical of the beach–dune ecosystems is examined in relation to the anthropogenic disturbance factors, with particular attention to mechanical beach cleaning. Indeed, the metabolizable energy generated by this decomposer biomass is crucial for supporting a diverse trophic network of predators, ranging from insects to birds. The rapid disappearance of the specialized beetle fauna is examined, and some essential criteria for defining standard biotic indices suitable for monitoring these ecosystems are suggested. This approach aims to support more effective conservation programs for these fragile environments. We recommend revising the regulatory framework for safeguarding beach–dune ecosystems, while also proposing some key management principles to be incorporated into the protection guidelines. Full article

Marine litter is a critical environmental issue, with beach litter being its most visible indicator. Despite severe pollution on Mediterranean beaches, Tunisia currently lacks a national beach litter monitoring program. To address this gap and support the development of such a program, particularly at pollution hotspots like urban beaches, we conducted a one-year study on six Tunisian beaches. We employed an innovative, accelerated multiple 10 m transect method tailored to highly polluted beaches, focusing on macro-litter (>2.5 cm). This method significantly reduces survey time compared to the standard 100 m approach while maintaining comparable pollution metrics, offering a practical and efficient solution for areas with high litter density. Our findings reveal an average litter density of 1.01 ± 1.08 pieces/m², with higher pollution in urban areas. Based on the Clean Coast Index (CCI), two beaches were classified as extremely dirty, one as dirty, two as moderately clean, and one as clean. Plastics (59.2%) and cigarette butts (21.1%) were the most prevalent pollutants, with single-use plastics comprising 52.5% ± 5.3% of total litter. Most of the litter (60.6%) originated from shoreline activities and poor waste management. These findings underscore the urgent need for a long-term national beach litter monitoring program. The integration of our accelerated transect method would enable efficient, effective surveys on highly polluted beaches, providing critical data to address litter sources and support targeted strategies for mitigating pollution and protecting Tunisia’s coastal ecosystems. Full article

The increase in tourism economic benefits is the most common purpose along the Mediterranean coastal regions but, very often, conflicts of interest arise between short-term benefits and long-term conservation goals. This is particularly the case of Albania, a very popular emerging “Sun, Sea and Sand” (3S) destination characterized by massive fluxes of national/international visitors during the summer period. Among beach users’ preferences, global studies show that five parameters of greater importance stand out from the rest, i.e., safety, facilities, water quality, no litter, and scenery, and the latter is the main concern of this study. Albania is well known for its outstanding natural coastal beauty which was assessed at 40 sites by using the Coastal Scenic Evaluation System (CSES) method. Based on the evaluation of 26 physical/human parameters and using weighting matrix parameters and fuzzy logic mathematics, the technique enables one to obtain an Evaluation Index (D) that allows one to classify each investigated site into five scenic classes, from Class I (extremely attractive natural sites; D ≥ 0.85) to Class V (very unattractive developed urban/industrial sites; D < 0.00). Pragmatically, the higher the “D” value is, the better the site scenery is. After a long process of field testing along the whole Albanian coastline (ca. 523 km in length), selected sites were chosen in rural/remote environments (22), villages (6), and urban (4) and resort areas (8) to reflect the Albanian coastal typicity and characterize the scenic impact of human activities. Most sites belonged to Class III (14), Class IV (13), Class II (8), and Class I (1). Several sites could be upgraded to Class I or Class II with slight management efforts, e.g., by carrying out cleaning operations or by reducing intrusive beach facilities. Full article

The alarming increase in single-use plastic (SUP) consumption, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and its detrimental effects on environmental and public health, underscores the urgent need for the public to adopt more environmentally responsible behaviours. This study presents citizen science (CS) initiatives undertaken two years after the onset of the pandemic as an effective means to engage and mobilise citizens in reducing plastic consumption. It combines an inventory of CS actions targeting SUP with a self-designed and implemented CS project. Unlike the predominantly technical focus of existing initiatives, our ‘Plastic Detective’ project was designed to collect behavioural data related to SUP use. The majority of completed and ongoing CS projects addressing SUPs focused on beach clean-ups, which primarily involved reporting the distribution and composition of plastic litter. However, no initiatives were found to address consumer behaviour. CS activities were predominantly initiated in a bottom-up manner, largely coordinated by non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and were mostly confined to the Northern Hemisphere. In our project, volunteers were asked to observe, sample and categorise behaviours in their surroundings using a model that distinguished between SUP use and the adoption of alternative materials or practices. Additionally, participants’ perceptions of SUP were assessed through pre- and post-surveys. Our findings reveal that young people, in particular, are eager to participate in CS initiatives. Regardless of age, gender or location, all respondents—despite acknowledging the need to reduce SUP consumption—identified producers as the key group responsible for addressing plastic pollution. We conclude that CS can act as an effective knowledge broker between research and non-research communities, fostering behavioural change towards more sustainable practices. Moreover, CS initiatives can play a vital role in popularising scientific findings and influencing policy-making processes to promote environmentally friendly alternatives to SUPs. Full article

Since 2015, the invasive seaweed Rugulopteryx okamurae has triggered the most serious marine macrophyte invasion in Europe. Its huge coastal biomass dumped on beaches generates health problems, strong odors, impacts on tourism, and high clean-up costs, but it also constitutes a new potential marine resource that offers significant prospects for exploitation. In this sense, as a circular economy strategy, seaweed bioremediation with isopods (Isopoda, Crustacea, Arthropoda) was experimented on for the first time. Specimens of Porcellio laevis (native terrestrial isopod) were obtained from urban parks and kept in terrariums with adequate humidity and temperature control. A sample of 150 adult specimens was divided into six batches of 25 animals. Three batches were fed with 100 g of mulch of Quercus pyrenaica leaves (control) and three with a diet composed of 100 g of mulch of algae (treatment). P. laevis consumed up to 1.5 times their weight per day on the algae diet, with little or no weight loss and adequate reproduction rates. The weight of the isopods averaged 1.6 g in the seaweed group and 2.5 g in the control group. However, high mortality was observed in both mancas and adults in the treatment group. In this sense, the average number of mancas per cm² was 0 in the algae group and 325 in the control group. Despite this, the results are promising, and consequently, we propose to encourage research with isopods due to their high voracity, high prolificacy, and resistance to invasive algal recycling. Future work should explore what percentage of R. okamurae prevents diterpene mortality of isopods and other invertebrates. This is a preliminary step towards the massive bioremediation of spring and summer blooms of R. okamurae. This work contributes to highlighting this abundant marine resource. Full article

This paper deals with beach litter presence on the Ionian coast of Albania, i.e., at Vlora Bay and the Albanian Riviera, which is the most famous coastal tourist destination in the country. Along 16 beaches surveyed in November–December 2022 was found a total amount of 6621 litter items (or 416 kg) belonging to 114 categories of the EU J−code list. Most of these were plastic fragments and items (82%), mainly linked to local tourist activities. Wastewaters were responsible for bringing different litter items to the urban beaches of Vlora Bay. The most commonly observed litter items were cigarette butts, plastic caps/lids, and medium-sized plastic fragments of non-foamed plastic. The cleanest beaches, quite often, were the ones where beach clubs implemented clean-up programs during and at the end of the summer season. The results of this paper constitute a baseline of the beach litter amount and content along the study coast, which has never been investigated before. Municipalities and beach clubs have to implement more frequent and efficient clean-up activities and educational initiatives to reduce beach pollution, with special attention paid to the presence of cigarette butts and other small plastic items. Full article

In the past fifteen years, the contamination of the Italian marine coastal environments by asbestos cement materials (ACMs) represents a known crux mostly reported or denounced by mass media and environmental associations. A recent research reporting compositional and textural data related to ACMs found in the beach deposits of a protected natural reserve (Cape Peloro, Messina, Italy) induced the author to perform new petrographic and textural analyses on the Cape Peloro beach sands, pebbles, cobbles (BSPC), and technofossils (bricks, tails, slab, concrete), associated with the previously studied ACMs, in order to compare the data with those of the ACMs previously reported in the literature. The petrographic investigations allowed the author to determine that beach sands and weakly gravelly sands were characterized by a quartzo–lithic signature, being mainly composed of metamorphic grains of quartz (50–60%) and metamorphic lithics (40–50%, mainly composed of polymineral quartz + microcline, quartz + plagioclase, quartz + biotite, quartz + muscovite grains, and monomineral opaque minerals, plagioclase, k-feldspar, and almandine garnet grains), whereas the pebbles and cobbles were made of acid intrusive (granitoids) and metamorphic rocks (gneiss, augen gneiss prevailing). Pebbles and cobbles made up of porphyroids could derive from the cannibalization of the underlying lower to middle Pleistocene siliciclastic deposits of the Messina Formation. Differently, the gneiss, augen gneiss, and granitoids forming the beach pebbles and cobbles, being present both in the crystalline rocks of the Aspromonte Unit and in the clasts of the SGMF, could originate from both of them. Textural investigations allowed the author to characterize grain size, shape parameters, and roundness in the beach deposits. These were mostly composed of sands and weakly gravelly sands with medium grains. Parameters, such as elongation and flatness, showed higher values in the BSPC than in the technofossils. The shapes of the BSPC were mostly from oblate to equant, whereas the shapes of the technofossils were mostly from bladed to oblate. The main differences depended on the original shape of the technofossils, being mostly platy, and their softer composition. The roundness was from angular to sub-rounded. In the Ionian coast of the Cape Peloro peninsula, the source areas for the well-rounded ACM found on the beach and in the beach deposits could have at least four different origins: (i) Possible landfills widespread since the 1970s in the intensively urbanized coastal areas. (ii) Direct abandonment in the coastal area. (iii) Direct abandonment in the streams. (iv) Activities to counteract the erosion/lack of sediment using non-conforming materials. Considering the diffused damage caused by the coastal erosion affecting most of the Italian coast and the obvious increasing dispersion of the asbestos fibers from the ACMs over time, effectual counter actions to prevent further contamination and guidelines for clean-up efforts are necessary. Full article

This paper explores the application of Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) and Sim2Real strategies to enhance the autonomy of beach-cleaning robots. Experiments demonstrate that DRL agents, initially refined in simulations, effectively transfer their navigation skills to real-world scenarios, achieving precise and efficient operation in complex natural environments. This method provides a scalable and effective solution for beach conservation, establishing a significant precedent for the use of autonomous robots in environmental management. The key advancements include the ability of robots to adhere to predefined routes and dynamically avoid obstacles. Additionally, a newly developed platform validates the Sim2Real strategy, proving its capability to bridge the gap between simulated training and practical application, thus offering a robust methodology for addressing real-life environmental challenges. Full article

The aim of this paper is to identify and develop key indicators related to beach and marine litter using land and coastal areas as sources to diagnose the current situation in Tunisia. Based on the results, recommendations have been developed to support the decision-making process. In this study, three main indicators and twelve sub-indicators were developed and classified into driving factors and resulting situations. These were developed based on (1) a large literature and participative approach and (2) beach litter monitoring campaigns carried out on five beaches from the north to the south during three years and different seasons using the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR) method for beach litter monitoring on 100 m. The results show that plastic represented the main littered item in coastal areas and beaches in Tunisia (ranging between 54% and 70%). In addition, another one of the most littered items was packaging, which ranged between 54% and 74% of the total waste. The findings highlight that tourism and recreational activities represent the main source of items identified (between 89% and 95%). Furthermore, the amount of litter identified was relatively important during a low tourism period in comparison to the period from the preseason preparation to the end of the high season when cleaning operations can have a great impact. Finally, the findings indicate that the average quantities of plastic per kilometer in Gammarth, Hammamet, and Sousse tourism areas were much lower than in Sfax and Gabès. Full article

The threat of microplastics to marine animals and habitats is increasing, which may affect sea turtle nesting grounds. The Qilianyu Islands are the largest remaining green turtle (Chelonia mydas) nesting grounds in China. Despite being far from the mainland, microplastic pollution cannot be ignored. In this study, the level of microplastic pollution in surface sediments from three different zones, namely, the bottom, intertidal, and supratidal zone, was investigated on North Island, Qilianyu Islands. The results showed that the abundance of microplastics in the supratidal zone was significantly higher than that in the bottom zone and intertidal zone (r = 3.65, p = 0.011), with the highest average abundance of microplastics located on the southwest coast of North Island. In the bottom zone, only plastic blocks (88%) and fibers (12%) were found. The main types of microplastics in the intertidal and supratidal zones were plastic blocks (48%) and foam (42%), with polyethylene (PE) (40%) and polystyrene (PS) (34%) being the predominant components. These types and components of microplastics differed from those in the surrounding seawater, but corresponding types and components were found in the plastic debris on the beach. Meanwhile, it was also observed that there were multiple instances of fragmented plastic on the beach. Thus, we suggest that the microplastics on the beach in North Island were mainly derived from the fragmentation of microplastic debris, indicating secondary microplastics. It is recommended to further strengthen the regular cleaning of plastic debris on the beach, especially the removal of small plastic debris, in order to reduce the pollution from secondary microplastics generated by the fragmentation of beach plastic debris and to better protect China’s most important sea turtle nesting site in the South China Sea. Full article