Investigating macro marine litter and beach cleanliness along Southern Vietnam beaches

D Nguyen; M Ky Nguyen; Minh-Thuan Pham; Nguyen Tuan Anh; Dao Van Tri; Hoang-Lam Nguyen; Quoc Minh Truong; Woojin Chung; D Duc Nguyen

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.117566

Investigating macro marine litter and beach cleanliness along Southern Vietnam beaches

Mar Pollut Bull. 2025 Jan 16:212:117566. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.117566. Online ahead of print.

Authors

D Nguyen¹, M Ky Nguyen², Minh-Thuan Pham³, Nguyen Tuan Anh⁴, Dao Van Tri⁵, Hoang-Lam Nguyen⁶, Quoc Minh Truong⁷, Woojin Chung⁸, D Duc Nguyen⁹

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, Vietnam; School of Engineering & Technology, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, Vietnam.
² Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Nong Lam University of Ho Chi Minh City - Gialai Campus, Hamlet 1, Dien Phu Commune, Pleiku City 600000, Vietnam. Electronic address: [email protected].
³ Center for Environmental Toxin and Emerging-Contaminant Research, Cheng Shiu University, Taiwan; Institute of Environmental Toxin and Emerging-Contaminant, Cheng Shiu University, Taiwan.
⁴ Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Nong Lam University of Ho Chi Minh City - Gialai Campus, Hamlet 1, Dien Phu Commune, Pleiku City 600000, Vietnam.
⁵ Master Program in Water Technology, Reuse, and Management, Vietnamese-German University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
⁶ Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
⁷ Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, School of Law and Development Management, Thu Dau Mot University, Binh Duong 75000, Vietnam.
⁸ Department of Civil & Energy System Engineering, Kyonggi University, Suwon 16227, South Korea.
⁹ Department of Civil & Energy System Engineering, Kyonggi University, Suwon 16227, South Korea. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 39824135
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.117566

Abstract

Plastic contamination is a major issue for marine ecosystems, with macro-litter posing a growing threat globally. This study assesses macro-marine litter on Vung Tau beaches, Southern Vietnam, providing baseline data for marine litter pollution and identifying critical action plans for plastic control. Survey results showed litter density ranging from 0.1768 to 0.4464 items m^-2 across twelve sites. Using the Clean Coast Index (CCI), 16.7 % of beaches were rated as "Clean" and 83.3 % as "Moderate," while the Plastic Abundance Index (PAI) revealed 91.7 % of sites had "Moderate" plastic levels. Human activities, such as tourism and insufficient waste management, were key contributors. Addressing this issue requires raising awareness, promoting behavioural change and tourist perceptions, and enhancing waste management efforts. Prioritizing marine protection programs is crucial for effectively eliminating marine litter and plastic waste.

Keywords: Cigarette butt; Clean coast index; Litter pollution; Plastic abundance index; Polyethylene (PE).