Spatial and temporal patterns of floating litter in shallow habitats: Insights from high-tourism tropical areas in Northeastern Brazil

We investigated the composition, quantity, distribution and potential sources of floating litter in the subtidal zones of tropical beaches. Marine sampling sites were selected based on the presence (protected/sheltered) or absence (non-protected) of reefs. Plastic was the most abundant material, and the presence of floating litter from land-based sources was confirmed, which was likely associated with domestic and tourism-related activities, owing to irregular waste disposal. Marine debris was more abundant during the rainy season, and marine beaches had more floating litter than estuarine beaches. Coastal reefs served as a barrier, impeding the transport of marine litter by coastal currents, explaining the greater abundance of floating litter on protected/sheltered marine beaches. Thus, three mechanisms seemed to drive the amount of floating litter in the subtidal zone of the tropical beaches: 1) the availability of floating litter in the water, 2) coastal hydrodynamics favoring the accumulation of floating litter, and 3) a beach’s capacity to retain floating litter. Our study demonstrates that marine litter is an important pollution source in sensitive areas that play a key role as nurseries for marine life, especially in beaches close to reef formations. [Display omitted] •Domestic and tourism activities were the main sources of floating litter in coastal habitats.•Floating litter abundance was higher in the subtidal zones of marine beaches than in estuarine beaches.•Floating litter abundance was higher in the subtidal zones of protected marine beaches than in unprotected beaches.•Coastal reefs serve as barriers, impeding the transport of marine litter by coastal currents.