A temporal assessment of microplastics distribution on the beaches of three remote islands of the Yasawa archipelago, Fiji

Al Nabhani, Khadija; Salzman, Scott; Shimeta, Jeff; Dansie, Andrew; Allinson, Graeme

A temporal assessment of microplastics distribution on the beaches of three remote islands of the Yasawa archipelago, Fiji

2022

Al Nabhani, Khadija | Salzman, Scott | Shimeta, Jeff | Dansie, Andrew | Allinson, Graeme

This is the first study that investigated the presence, distribution, and composition of microplastics, MPs (1-5 mm) on beaches in the Yasawa Islands, Fiji. A temporal assessment over three years on six beaches was undertaken to investigate different beach traits on MP abundance. Average MP concentration was 4.5 ± 11.1 MPs·m⁻² with significantly higher concentrations were found on east-facing beaches than west (p < 0.001), and higher on the storm line compared to the high tide line (p < 0.001). No difference was found between tourist and local beaches (p = 0.21). These results demonstrate the role of current-driven ocean transport of plastic pollution in this part of The South Pacific. ATR FT-IR analysis showed that across all sites 34 % of MPs were polypropylene (PP), 33 % polystyrene (PS), 25 % polyethylene (PE), and 8 % other polymer types. Further studies are needed to assess the potential impacts of MPs on Fiji's coral reefs and marine life.

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