Abstract:
Understanding the plastic waste input to the ocean is a critical study to keep the Indian ocean clean,
The research problem addressed in this study is to quantify, analyze, and visualize the spatial and
temporal patterns of plastic waste inputs from river mouths into the ocean in Sri Lanka. This
involves integrating geospatial and tabular data on riverine plastic pollution, identifying highcontributing river mouths, examining seasonal trends, and relating these patterns to waste
management archetypes. The ultimate goal is to inform targeted interventions for reducing plastic
leakage from land-based sources into marine environments. This research would analyze the spatial
distribution and seasonal trends of plastic waste entering the ocean from Sri Lankan rivers, using
geospatial and statistical methods. It would also examine how different waste management
archetypes contribute to plastic leakage, and assess the influence of hydrological variables (e.g.,
runoff) on plastic input variability. The findings could inform targeted interventions for reducing
plastic pollution at critical river mouths and improving waste management strategies. The research
integrates Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing data, hydrological analysis, and
field sampling to identify high-risk zones. We have employed Getis-Ord Gi* and Kernel Density
Estimation (KDE) to identify statistically significant clusters. The primary results show strong
correlations between plastic accumulation and anthropogenic activities including urban runoff,
tourism, and inadequate waste management. The findings provide an evidence-based framework
for targeted interventions and sustainable policy development.
