Investigation of marine plastic pollution and socioeconomic impacts in the area of Pachia Ammos, Crete

This extended abstract addresses the issue of marine plastic pollution in the Pachia Ammos area, Crete, and explores the potential for developing an early warning system specifically for marine litter. The research area is located in East Crete, Greece, and spans from Pachia Ammos to Tholos Kavousi, focusing on Pachia Ammos and Voulisma beaches. The methodology integrates field sampling and numerical modeling to assess plastic debris distribution and movement patterns. Data collection involved onshore and offshore sampling, physical documentation, and classification of waste. Hydrodynamic models, NEMO 3D and OceanParcels, were employed to simulate the dispersion of plastic debris based on historical oceanographic data. The results revealed significant seasonal variations in plastic pollution, with increased accumulation during summer months due to tourism and calm weather. As main pollution types macroplastics such as bottles, caps, and fishing gear were identified especially during storm events. Hydrodynamic modeling identified both local sources and long-range influx from the Eastern Aegean region. The results show a significant influence of regional and transboundary pollution sources and also seasonal fluctuations align with increased tourist activity and calmer sea states. By applying dedicated downscaled climate projections and hydrodynamic simulations for predicting pollution hotspots and incorporating machine learning and predictive modeling there is a possibility to identify key future events to issue alerts for pollution risk. This study underscores the importance of developing an early warning system specifically for marine plastic pollution using hydrodynamic modeling and data-sharing frameworks. By integrating predictive tools and community involvement, the system can support proactive management and pollution mitigation strategies. Collaboration among policymakers, scientists, and local stakeholders is crucial for effective coastal resilience.