The Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

2027 Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

January 12-15, 2027

Spatial and seasonal trends of microplastics in beach sediment from Mauritius and Rodrigues Islands, Mascarene region of the Indian Ocean.
ID:518 Oral Presentation

2027-01-13 15:50 (China Standard Time)

Session:Session 15 - Marine Micro- and Nano-Plastics: Novel Methods, Environmental Fate and Ecological Effects

Abstract
The Republic of Mauritius is a big ocean state which has a large exclusive economic zone of 2.1 million Km2 and its population is dependent on its marine environment and resources for local livelihood, tourism, economic growth and well-being. Such small island developing states are vulnerable to local and global stressors, including plastics polltion. The dynamics of microplastics (MPs) in the two islands, namely mainland Mauritius and Rodrigues island, are not understudied and not well understood. This study aimed to characterize the spatial and seasonal trends in the abundance and composition of microplastics (MPs) in beach sediment at windward and leeward sites around both islands, during summer (December 2023 to January 2024) and winter (June to July 2024) seasons. The Western Indian Ocean Marine Science Asscociation (WIOMSA) and Sustainable Seas Trust (SST) African Marine Litter Monitoring protocol (2023) was adated in this study. Belt transects were placed in triplicates (n=3 per site) perpendicular to the beach and from the vegetation line  to the low water mark (LWM). Surface sediment (top 2.5 cm layer) was sampled from quadrats (0.5x0.5 m) placed at three different zones (vegetation line, beach slope and low water mark) along the transect. Results indicated a dominance of MPs in winter season for both islands. In Rodrigues, MPs density was least at St Francois beach (north-east coast) at 27.7±135.9 particles mˉ² and highest at Mourouk beach (south-east coast) at 43.7±10.9 particles mˉ². For Mauritius, highest MPs density was recorded at Belle Mare beach (east coast) at 72.7±16.9 particles mˉ² and lowest density (12.33±2.91 particles mˉ²) at Bel Ombre (south coast). Highest MPs density was recorded at the vegetation line (VL) in both islands, to the exception of Riambel (south coast) and Tamarin (west coast) beach sites in Mauritius, where highest MPs density was at the low water mark zone suggesting a recent oceanic input. Fragments (79.6%) were the most abundant MP shape followed by fibres (17.8%). Blue (49.6%) was the most abundant colour followed by white (29.7%). A PERMANOVA test indicated that there is a significant difference between the two Islands where Mauritius is in fact a subset of Rodrigues Island, and that Rodrigues is the scene of much more spatially heterogeneous pollution than Mauritius despite its lower population size. The results indicated an oceanic input for microplastics on the beaches of Rodrigues island that could be driven by wind and sea currents. The findings provide a baseline for focused clean-ups and strategic directions and policy measures for plastic pollution control and prevention.

 
Speaker
Sushma Mattan Moorgawa Department of Biosciences and Ocean Studies, Faculty of Science, University of Mauritius

Author
Sushma Mattan Moorgawa Department of Biosciences and Ocean Studies, Faculty of Science, University of Mauritius

    Important Dates

    • Jan 30

      2026

      Session / Event proposals open

    • Mar 31

      2026

      Session / Event proposals close
      (Extended to April 7)

    • Apr 30

      2026

      Session acceptance notifications

    • Apr 30

      2026

      Abstract submissions & registration open

    • Jun 30

      2026

      Abstract submissions close
      (Extended to July 21)

    • Aug 31

      2026

      Abstract acceptance notifications

    • Sep 15

      2026

      Scientific program released

    • Oct 15

      2026

      Early bird registration closes

    • Jan 12–15

      2027

      XMAS 2027