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Brown University

Publication Date

Spring 2018

Program Name

Tanzania: Wildlife Conservation and Political Ecology

Abstract

Increasingly high levels of waste are being generated each year, resulting in millions of tonnes of plastic and other debris ending up in marine and coastal environments. The impacts of the debris on these environments are wide ranging, affecting both environmental health and human wellbeing. Still though, there is a lack of information concerning the presence and effect of garbage in many coastal and marine ecosystems around the globe. This project studied the presence and management of coastal waste along a small portion of the coast of Tanzania, near the village of Ushongo. General distribution, level, and type of garbage along the beach were studied, as well as the impact of different types of human activity along the shore (resort, village, and uninhabited beach) and the level of seaweed. Interviews were also conducted to understand the thoughts, opinions, and concerns of different people residing and working in the Ushongo area. Overall, the study found that human activity type has little influence on garbage and seaweed levels, while seaweed levels have high influence on garbage. Additionally, plastics were found to have elevated levels, and awareness and concern of beach litter was high among members of the village.

Disciplines

African Studies | Environmental Health | Marine Biology | Pharmacology, Toxicology and Environmental Health

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