QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF MARINE LITTER ON THE MONTENEGRIAN BEACHES (SOUTH ADRIATIC)

This study presents a detailed qualitative and quantitative analysis of litter collected from three beaches along the Montenegrin coast during the autumn season 2022, winter season 2022 and spring season 2023. A total of 3,139 litter items, weighing 97.47 kg, were collected across the three seasons. The predominant litter category was plastic, making up 63.58% of the total litter. The most common sub-categories included cigarette butts and filters, plastic/polystyrene pieces (2.5 to 50 cm), and crisps packets/sweets wrappers. Based on the Clean Coast Index, the beaches were classified into two categories: "Moderately Clean" during autumn and "Very Clean" during winter and spring. The highest quantity of litter was observed in the autumn season of 2022.