Characteristics and distribution of litter, mesolitter and microplastics in Table Bay, Cape Town, South Africa

The marine and coastal environments are facing unprecedented challenges by the presence of litter, mesolitter and microplastics. This study investigated the characteristics and distribution of litter (> 25 mm), mesolitter (5–25 mm) and microplastics (< 5 mm) in Table Bay, Cape Town. Sampling was carried out at two sites, Woodbridge Island (impact site) and Derdesteen (non-impact site) during summer and autumn of 2021. Litter and mesolitter were sampled along 100 meters of beach for 10 consecutive days, from the water’s edge to the backline. Water and sediment samples were also collected for microplastics (MPs) extraction. Plastic was the most abundant litter and mesolitter recorded, accounting for 90.22% by count and 47.98% by weight for litter, with foam (mainly polystyrene) being the most abundant plastic type found. Plastic pellets were the dominant mesolitter type while fibres were the most dominant type of MPs recorded. All three categories of contaminants (litter, mesolitter and MPs) were higher at Woodbridge Island than Derdesteen, indicating the effects of anthropogenic activities at an impact site.