Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p>The contamination of beaches located in Moroccan mid-north coast by macro-, meso and microplastics has been investigated. Quemado beach is small and has peaceful conditions, with minimal wave action, a stable beach environment where plastic trash can pile up, Sabadilla beach, larger and with moderate wave activity, possesses a more active beach environment, one that could have an influence on the plastic pollution distribution and transport. The surveys and sample collection followed the standardized 100 m monitoring method, MPs particles were quantified after density fractionation, and identification using Raman spectroscopy. The analysis of litter composition revealed that artificial polymers were the predominant material at Quemado beach, accounting for 72% of the total. This dominance was more pronounced at Sabadilla beach, where artificial polymers represented 84%. Other materials, including paper, metals, textiles, rubber, and glass, were also identified. Microplastic contamination levels were quantified, yielding an average concentration of 35 ± 6 items/kg DW and 29.66 ± 4.41 items/kg DW respectively for Quemado and Sabadilla beach. The dominance of plastics fibers was observed, as well as particle sizes between 250µm and 5mm. the prevalence of size and type differs depending on the sampling area and the beach in question. Microplastics from Sabadilla beach exhibited higher surface roughness (Ra = 7,652 ± 573) and more degraded, irregular surfaces than those from Quemado beach (Ra = 7,320 ± 206). These findings reflect significant plastic pollution on both beaches with differences in composition and abundance possibly influenced by environmental conditions, hydrodynamics, anthropogenic activities and waste management.</p>