Current status of plastic waste distribution in the intertidal ecosystem and fishing port in Nha Trang marine protected area, Khanh Hoa province

Abstract

By surveying and collecting samples, this study examined the distribution and status of plastic waste in the intertidal ecosystem and fishing port of the Nha Trang marine protected area. The results show that, in the fishing port, the average mass of plastic waste is 50.5 g/m², of which PP is collected the most in the morning with a total weight of 2.05 kg, averaging 20.5 g/m². Next is LDPE with a weight of 0.5 kg, with an average of 5 g/m², PS with a weight of 4 g/m², PET with a weight of 2 g/m², PVC with a weight of 2.5 g/m² and finally HDPE with a weight of 1 g/m². In the intertidal habitat, plastic waste has an average weight of 56 g/m², PP dominates with a total weight of 2.9 kg, and an average of 29 g/m². LDPE follows the list with an average of 3.5 g/m², PS 5 g/m², PET 1 g/m². Other plastic waste was not found in both habitats. Research shows that the dimension of plastic waste has a large fluctuation, the longest is in the PP group (rope) up to 150 cm and the shortest is PET (food wrap) with 1 cm long. The largest width is LDPE up to 48 cm, including plastic bottles and the shortest width is 1 cm belonging to the PP group represented by fishing nets. Differences in the mass and composition of plastic waste were also found for two different sampling times per day. The results of this study provide information for stakeholders to assess the presence of plastic waste in the intertidal ecosystems, which are contiguous and contribute to the increase in plastic waste in the marine environment.