Abstract:
The presence of plastic waste has become one of the major problems in the Algerian beaches
including the Mostaganem Coast. The plastic pollution also has deleterious effects on the marine
environment. Our study aimed to contribute to the knowledge of the qualitative and quantitative
characteristics, the evaluation of the spatial distribution of plastic waste (bottles and caps) and the
factors influencing this phenomenon on the coastal zone of Mostaganem. We chose the same
locations as Benarous (master manuscript-University of Mostaganem, 2019), accordingly Oureah
beach, the cove near Sablettes beach and the cove named “Trois Frères” which is located in
Kharrouba it the eastern part of Mostaganem district. The study was carried out applying exactly the
same methodology using a quadra of 1 m2 with integrated camera allowing a precise quantification
of the plastic waste. The obtained results reveal heterogeneity in the distribution of plastic waste
along transects set parallel to the coast in each location. “Trois Frères” location is the most polluted
by plastics, in particular bottles with their caps. The cove near Sablettes beach has a high
concentration of damaged bottles, partly wedged between the rocks. Oureah beach, on the other
hand, is the least affected by plastic pollution. Several parameters influence the dominance of waste
on r beaches such as the wind, waterways, waves, sea currents, human activities, fishing activities
and the morphology of the land. The decrease of the plastic bottles is probably due to promoted
recycling in the Wilaya of Mostaganem.
