Science for the People’s Beach Debris Clearance and Analysis
This ongoing citizen science project involves a monthly gathering located at Campo Mar Azul to gather all anthropogenic waste down to the size of .5 cm2 from the beach along a designated 212m long stretch of the beach of Lengüetta Arenosa. After the debris is collected it is categorized and cataloged. The monthly gathering occurs within three days of the 15th of each month. Please see La Alianza’s calendar page for the next date.
Led by Dr. Omar Clay
action@scienceforthepeople.net
Background on this study and marine debris
Researchers have found that nearly 90% of seabirds had plastic in their systems, with projections suggesting that by 2050, this figure could reach 99%. These plastics, often mistaken for food, lead to internal injuries, starvation, and death. Sea turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals are particularly vulnerable to entanglement and ingestion. Between 1997 and 2009, over 1,000 sea turtles were found stranded in Florida due to entanglement in fishing gear. Derelict fishing nets and lines continue to “ghost fish,” trapping and killing marine life long after they’ve been abandoned.
Additionally, microplastics, which are tiny plastic fragments less than 5 mm in size—are now ubiquitous in marine environments. They not only affect wildlife but also pose risks to human health through seafood consumption. These particles can absorb toxic chemicals, which then bioaccumulate up the food chain, potentially impacting neurological and reproductive health in humans.
Garbage patches, formed by ocean gyres, are not visible islands of trash but vast zones where debris accumulates from the surface to the seabed. These patches disrupt marine navigation, degrade habitats, and threaten human health through contaminated seafood
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provides a useful and easily understandable website with in-depth information on marine pollution, and actions that can be taken to combat marine pollution. See Ocean pollution and marine debris | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Additional information can be found at these links:
https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1502108112
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X24006647
https://www.noaa.gov/education/resource-collections/ocean-coasts/ocean-pollution
https://www.doi.gov/ocl/marine-debris-impacts
A key aspect of reducing marine debris is to get a better understanding of the types and sources of debris on local beaches. Omar Clay’s long-term beach study is an important part of gaining a better understanding of marine debris in our local area. Thank you for your participation! – El Berryman
