First evidence of plastic pollution in beach sediments of the Skikda coast (northeast of Algeria)

Abstract

This study is the first attempt to provide original data on plastics debris occurrence in beach sediments of the Gulf of Skikda in Algeria (southwestern Mediterranean). Sediment samples from seven beaches were collected to extract, quantify and characterize mesoplastics and microplastics. Particles were classified by size into mesoplastics (5-25 mm) and large microplastics (1-5 mm). Overall, microplastics were the most abundant size fraction in terms of number of items. The average mass of mesoplastics was twice that of microplastics, revealing a notable reservoir of plastics that is scarcely ever reported in the literature. The predominant types were fragments and pellets, white/transparent in color. The average concentrations of total plastic were 1067.19 ± 625.62 items/m², 106.98 ± 62.39 items/kg, and 50.65 ± 9.82 g/m², showing variability between beaches and within sampling sites. Thus, the Skikda coast has high levels of pollution compared to other areas of the Mediterranean Sea.

Keywords: Beach sediments; Mediterranean Sea; Plastic pollution; Skikda.