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<p>Mangrove ecosystems in island atolls support rich biodiversity and serve as critical linkages between terrestrial and reef environments. These ecosystems are unique, occurring either as landlocked marshy system or as fringing mangroves along coastal margins. However, anthropogenic marine litter has emerged as a global threat, compromising mangrove health, ecological functioning, and long-term resilience. This study presents an exploratory survey of anthropogenic marine litter in two distinct mangrove ecosystems of Minicoy Island, Lakshadweep. A total of 2114 litter items weighing 154.42&#xa0;kg were collected from an area of 420 m<sup>2</sup> between June and November 2024. The average abundance of marine litter was 4.68 ± 2.2 items/m<sup>2</sup> in the landlocked mangrove and 5.7 ± 2.0 items/m<sup>2</sup> in the fringing mangrove adjoining the coastal lake. The marine litter accumulation was similar in both ecosystems. Plastics dominated, contributing 86.1% (4.33 ± 2.0 items/m<sup>2</sup>) of total litter items, with an average weight of 301.22 ± 102.4&#xa0;g/m<sup>2</sup>. Direct disposal of domestic waste into mangroves was the primary source, accounting for 71.7% of items and 72.9% of total weight. The findings highlight the urgent need for systematic cleanup programmes, community-based awareness campaigns, focused research, and strong policy measures to protect these fragile ecosystems. This study provides the first baseline assessment of marine litter accumulation in mangroves of Minicoy and offers critical insights for developing long-term monitoring frameworks and sustainable resource management strategies for atoll ecosystems.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p>

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Anthropogenic marine litter in unique mangrove ecosystem of remotely isolated oceanic atoll, Minicoy, Lakshadweep archipelago, India

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月30日

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  • Yesudas Gladston,
  • Ajina S. Mary,
  • Shareefuddeen Hassan Karangothi,
  • K. A. Martin Xavier

摘要

Mangrove ecosystems in island atolls support rich biodiversity and serve as critical linkages between terrestrial and reef environments. These ecosystems are unique, occurring either as landlocked marshy system or as fringing mangroves along coastal margins. However, anthropogenic marine litter has emerged as a global threat, compromising mangrove health, ecological functioning, and long-term resilience. This study presents an exploratory survey of anthropogenic marine litter in two distinct mangrove ecosystems of Minicoy Island, Lakshadweep. A total of 2114 litter items weighing 154.42 kg were collected from an area of 420 m2 between June and November 2024. The average abundance of marine litter was 4.68 ± 2.2 items/m2 in the landlocked mangrove and 5.7 ± 2.0 items/m2 in the fringing mangrove adjoining the coastal lake. The marine litter accumulation was similar in both ecosystems. Plastics dominated, contributing 86.1% (4.33 ± 2.0 items/m2) of total litter items, with an average weight of 301.22 ± 102.4 g/m2. Direct disposal of domestic waste into mangroves was the primary source, accounting for 71.7% of items and 72.9% of total weight. The findings highlight the urgent need for systematic cleanup programmes, community-based awareness campaigns, focused research, and strong policy measures to protect these fragile ecosystems. This study provides the first baseline assessment of marine litter accumulation in mangroves of Minicoy and offers critical insights for developing long-term monitoring frameworks and sustainable resource management strategies for atoll ecosystems.

Graphical abstract