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1. The role of inputs of marine wrack and carrion in sandy‐beach ecosystems: a global review

   https://doi.org/10.1111/brv.12886  

   Hyndes, Glenn A.; Berdan, Emma L.; Duarte, Cristian; Dugan, Jenifer E.; Emery, Kyle A.; Hambäck, Peter A.; Henderson, Christopher J.; Hubbard, David M.; Lastra, Mariano; Mateo, Miguel A.; et al (December 2022, Biological Reviews)

   ABSTRACT Sandy beaches are iconic interfaces that functionally link the ocean with the landviathe flow of organic matter from the sea. These cross‐ecosystem fluxes often comprise uprooted seagrass and dislodged macroalgae that can form substantial accumulations of detritus, termed ‘wrack’, on sandy beaches. In addition, the tissue of the carcasses of marine animals that regularly wash up on beaches form a rich food source (‘carrion’) for a diversity of scavenging animals. Here, we provide a global review of how wrack and carrion provide spatial subsidies that shape the structure and functioning of sandy‐beach ecosystems (sandy beaches and adjacent surf zones), which typically have littlein situprimary production. We also examine the spatial scaling of the influence of these processes across the broader land‐ and seascape, and identify key gaps in our knowledge to guide future research directions and priorities. Large quantities of detrital kelp and seagrass can flow into sandy‐beach ecosystems, where microbial decomposers and animals process it. The rates of wrack supply and its retention are influenced by the oceanographic processes that transport it, the geomorphology and landscape context of the recipient beaches, and the condition, life history and morphological characteristics of the macrophyte taxa that are the ultimate source of wrack. When retained in beach ecosystems, wrack often creates hotspots of microbial metabolism, secondary productivity, biodiversity, and nutrient remineralization. Nutrients are produced during wrack breakdown, and these can return to coastal waters in surface flows (swash) and aquifers discharging into the subtidal surf. Beach‐cast kelp often plays a key trophic role, being an abundant and preferred food source for mobile, semi‐aquatic invertebrates that channel imported algal matter to predatory invertebrates, fish, and birds. The role of beach‐cast marine carrion is likely to be underestimated, as it can be consumed rapidly by highly mobile scavengers (e.g. foxes, coyotes, raptors, vultures). These consumers become important vectors in transferring marine productivity inland, thereby linking marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Whilst deposits of organic matter on sandy‐beach ecosystems underpin a range of ecosystem functions and services, they can be at variance with aesthetic perceptions resulting in widespread activities, such as ‘beach cleaning and grooming’. This practice diminishes the energetic base of food webs, intertidal fauna, and biodiversity. Global declines in seagrass beds and kelp forests (linked to global warming) are predicted to cause substantial reductions in the amounts of marine organic matter reaching many beach ecosystems, likely causing flow‐on effects for food webs and biodiversity. Similarly, future sea‐level rise and increased storm frequency are likely to alter profoundly the physical attributes of beaches, which in turn can change the rates at which beaches retain and process the influxes of wrack and animal carcasses. Conservation of the multi‐faceted ecosystem services that sandy beaches provide will increasingly need to encompass a greater societal appreciation and the safeguarding of ecological functions reliant on beach‐cast organic matter on innumerable ocean shores worldwide. 

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2. A case for monitoring fungi of clinical relevance at beaches: enterococci measures do not correlate with all disease risks

   https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-025-14909-3  

   Montás-Bravo, Larissa; Solo-Gabriele, Helena M; Gil, Débora F; Amirali, Ayaaz; Arenas, Sebastian P; Hoffman, Sofia; Jimenez, Adriana; Mendonça, Alexandre; Reiner, Rivka; Sabino, Raquel; et al (February 2026, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment)

   Abstract Fungal disease is on the rise, coupled with fungal pathogens increasing in geographic range. Studies have shown that viable fungal pathogens may be present in beach sand and water, and consequently, efforts are ongoing in Europe to develop guidelines for fungi levels at beaches. In the USA, fungal diseases are a growing concern, and yet, they are not subject to public health reporting, and beach environments are currently not routinely monitored for fungal pathogens. This study measured fungal and enterococci levels at two beaches within a subtropical environment in Miami, FL. Samples were analyzed by culture-based methods, with fungi species confirmation by targeted PCR and sequencing. A unique aspect of this study is the analysis with higher incubation temperatures (37 °C and 40 °C) to isolate mesophilic fungi that can cause invasive infections. Results show that levels of fungi were strongly influenced by sample matrix (sand or water). The most common fungal species observed belonged to theAspergillusandCandidagenera, with the isolation of 25 taxa with reports of causing infections, of which 20 were previously reported to exhibit resistance to some or all classes of antifungals available. Results emphasize the need for fungal specific analyses to better understand beach-related disease risks. Given the current increase in cases of fungal diseases and the presence of viable fungi in the environment, integrating fungal measurements in routine microbiological monitoring programs is critical for assessing the beach transmission of pathogenic fungal disease and the control of emerging fungal pathogens. 

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3. From Coastal Retreat to Seaward Growth: Emergent Behaviors From Paired Community Beach Nourishment Choices

   https://doi.org/10.1029/2025EF006352  

   Lorenzo‐Trueba, J; Janoff, A; Thomas, O; Jin, D; Hoagland, P; Ashton, A (August 2025, Earth's Future)

   Coastal communities often address shoreline erosion through beach nourishment, adding externally sourced sand to widen beaches for recreation and property protection. While nourishment enhances beachfront property values, the need for periodic maintenance creates interdependencies where the actions of neighboring communities affect local shoreline dynamics. Using a coupled model of two neighboring communities, we examine the interplay between community nourishment decisions and the redistribution of nourishment sand. We find that the value a community places on wider beaches not only influences their propensity to nourish, but also their and their neighbors' nourishment efficiency and net benefits. Communities that nourish more frequently tend to have lower nourishment efficiency, as sand is redistributed alongshore, benefiting less‐active neighbors at their expense. A 20‐year New Jersey case study confirms that communities that nourish more have lower nourishment efficiencies, including instances where less wealthy communities nourish significantly more, enabling wealthier neighbors to enjoy higher efficiencies—suggesting that such dynamics may already be shaping real‐world coastal outcomes. In future scenarios, we simulate the effects of rising sand costs and accelerated erosion due to sea‐level rise under coordinated and non‐coordinated planning methods, finding that less wealthy communities experience a higher risk of beachfront property loss under non‐coordination, exacerbating disparities in coastal management. These findings underscore the importance of inter‐community cooperation in optimizing economic and environmental outcomes in beach nourishment strategies. 

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4. Differential accumulation of enterococci and arsenic in pelagic Sargassum and seagrass wrack on South Florida beaches

   https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-025-14888-5  

   Abdool-Ghany, Afeefa A; Amirali, Ayaaz; Reiner, Rivka; Hoffman, Sofia; Tavarez, Isabela; Roca, Matthew; Li, Jiayu; Solo-Gabriele, Helena (February 2026, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment)

   Abstract Wrack, composed of organic debris like seagrass and the brown macroalga,Sargassum, accumulates on beaches and when present in overwhelming quantities can impact ecosystem function and public health through microbial contamination, trace element accumulation, and toxic gas emissions. Although studies have started to evaluate the impacts to the microbial quality from different types of wrack, few evaluate the impacts of trace elements. This study assessed enterococci and arsenic levels in beach environments across five South Florida beaches with varying wrack types (Sargassumvs. seagrass) and management practices. Enterococci levels did not significantly differ between wrack types (p = 0.30), with a maximum of 9,600 CFU/g. However,Sargassumexhibited significantly higher arsenic concentrations (up to 64.3 mg/kg) compared to seagrass (2.18 mg/kg) (p < 0.001). In sand, arsenic levels were statistically higher (4.92 mg/kg) whenSargassumwas managed through integration. These findings emphasize the need to consider wrack composition when assessing arsenic impacts and can inform beach management strategies to minimize environmental and public health risks associated with excessively largeSargassumstrandings. 

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5. MICROPLASTIC POLLUTION IN THE TIJUANA ESTUARY BEACHESOF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

   Sheppard, Q.; Gray, S.C. (February 2022, Ocean Sciences Meeting)

   no editor. (Ed.)

   The Tijuana River Watershed encompasses 1750 square miles of territory in both Mexico and the United States, culminating at the National EstuarineResearch Reserve. While this area comprises one of the largest undisturbed wetlands in the state, it is one of the most polluted rivers in SouthernCalifornia, draining raw sewage and nonpoint source pollution. Despite extensive research, microplastic pollution along the beaches has not been explored. The objective of this study is to determine how the abundance and morphology of microplastic pollution in beach sediments vary with distance along the littoral cell from the Tijuana River outfall. Twenty samples were collected at 10 sites that span from the Tijuana River outfall to Mission Beach, San Diego. They are characterized as outfall sites, low-visitation beaches near the outfall, and high-visitation beaches further from the outfall. Solutions of 100ml sediment and 400ml hyper-saline solution were mixed and settled for 16 hours before being processed using a vacuum filtration system in a laminar fl ow hood. The microplastics (MP)were counted and classified using light microscopy. Laboratory practices to reduce laboratory contamination were employed and analytical blanks were run for every 3 samples. MPs ranged from 1 to 199/100ml sediment, of which approximately 91% were fibers. The greatest MP abundance occurred at the river outfall sites, but recovery rates were highly variable, and the analytical blanks ranged from 3-63/100ml sediment. The results oft his study suggest that microplastic distribution in sandy beach sediments is patchy but higher near the Tijuana River Outfall, and that future studies should report analytical blanks and employ methods to reduce contamination. Understanding the relationship between watersheds and microplastic distributions may inspire policy change on water quality protections in watersheds. 

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