GIS Mapping of Marine Litter Along Recreational Beaches of Mumbai Coast, Maharashtra

Marine litter is a global environmental issue that deteriorates the marine environment and adversely affects aquatic organisms. Generating more database information and monitoring activities to assess marine litter can reduce the marine litter problem. In this context, mapping the abundance of marine litter in Aksa and Juhu beaches, two important recreational sandy beaches on the Mumbai coast, was carried out from October 2016 to April 2017. Three transects of 50 m in length and varying width were used to sample each beach for litter. All visible pieces of the litter larger than 2.5 cm on each transect were collected and recorded. The spatial variation in marine litter abundance along the Juhu and Aksa beaches has been mapped using the ArcGIS software. The distribution of marine litter on Juhu beach follows a similar pattern from October to April, gradually decreasing from the south zone to the north zone. However, Aksa beach showed an inconsistent distribution of marine litter. It may be due to several factors such as recreational activity, litter transport by the creek, and tides. The findings of the study can be helpful for the decision-makers as well as to create public awareness for the management of marine litter pollution. Locating the hotspots for litter with the aid of GIS mapping makes cleanup efforts more successful.