Résumé:
Plastic pollution is a serious problem in Algeria, since the total ignorance of its effects and the lack of specialized recycling companies. This is the case of all the Algerian coasts, and even the coast of Mostaganem as this study showed. This work aimed to identify the presence of plastic pollution and spatial distribution of macro-plastics (bottles and tops) on the Mostaganem coasts. The survey and the quantification of plastic waste was carried out along a metric transect using a Quadra (1 m2) with an integrated camera, specially developed and built for this study.Three coastal sites of Mostaganem were chosen, the creek near the Sablettes, the beach of Oureah and the creek of the Three Brothers ("Kharrouba"). Field observations showed that the morphology and the nature of the beaches have an influence on the retention of plastic waste. The results showed that the corks are dominant only at the creek near the Sablettes, while bottles are dominant in the other two sites (Oureah and Three Brothers). Also, blue tops are dominant in all sites and mineral water bottle package was the most dominant at Oureah beach and Three Brothers creek. Probably, more than one factor was responsible for the transport of the plastic waste; a combination of several factors like wind, water flow, waves and marine currents could also move the plastic package from a spot to the next one. The results confirm that the Trois Frères creek is the most polluted by both categories of plastic waste, bottles and tops; based on the package material, mineral water was the most consumed drink.
