MICROPLASTICS AND GEOTECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SAND AT PRAIA DO FUTURO, CEARÁ, BRAZIL

ABSTRACT Microplastic pollution and its environmental impacts are under investigation in marine and coastal environments. However, in Ceará state, Brazil, the impacts of microplastic pollution in coastal areas have not been evaluated. This study assesses the quantity, composition, and physical forms of microplastics in sediment at Praia do Futuro and determines the sand’s geotechnical characteristics. Three study zones were defined, with 21 samples collected. Normality tests were conducted for statistical analyses, comparing results using ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests. No significant differences were found between locations with and without tourist activity. The concentration of microplastics exceeded levels observed in other Brazilian studies, but it was lower than that typically registered in international studies. Additionally, geotechnical characteristics of Praia do Futuro’s sand indicated grain size with diameters under 600 µm and void ratios aligned with literature expectations. The porosity varied along the coast, as is typical of natural sandy soils.