Marine debris on a tropical coastline: Abundance, predominant sources and fate in a region with multiple activities (Fortaleza, Ceará, northeastern Brazil).

The aim of the present study was to perform the first assessment of the abundance and classification of marine debris as well as determine the sources, transport and fate of this debris on an urbanized coast with multiple human activities. More than 80% of the marine debris was composed of synthetic materials. The beached marine debris was classified according to size.