The analysis of the accumulation of solid waste debris in the summer season along the Shilaoren Beach Qingdao, China

Abstract The accumulation of anthropogenic-induced solid waste debris (SWD) on beaches is becoming a global environmental concern for community and marine life. Accordingly, the present study was designed to estimate the composition and abundance of SWD along Shilaoren Beach in Qingdao, China. A quantitative survey was conducted for approximately 3 months (May to July 2018) to assess the weight and quantity of various types of SWD. Nine types of SWD from Shilaoren Beach, all of which measured more than 3 cm, were weighed. Total SWD data were estimated and determined to be 11,528 items weighing 218 kg. Similarly, the average composition and weight of SWD were estimated to be 720 items per km and 14 kg per km, respectively. Findings showed that plastic debris were the most dominant (estimated to be 56.69% of all the items per km), followed by paper (14.41%), and then food (7.40%). The weight of plastic debris was also the greatest (4.8 kg per km), followed by those of paper and food (1.65 kg per km). Plastic items were significantly higher (p