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Evaluación de la contaminación por microplásticos en el liquen Candelaria concolor (Dicks) Arnold, 1879: un estudio de caso sobre el Efecto de la Ruralidad
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Researchers assessed the lichen Candelaria concolor as a bioindicator of microplastic contamination across rural, peri-urban, and urban sites in Luján, Argentina, finding that microfibres were the only type detected and their abundance correlated negatively with rurality, suggesting C. concolor is a promising low-cost biomonitor for microplastic pollution even in low-intensity environments.
Este estudio investigó el potencial del liquen C. concolor como bioindicador de la contaminación por microplásticos en relación con las áreas rurales. Se recolectaron muestras de liquen en sitios rurales, rururbanos y urbanos dentro del partido de Luján, Argentina. La extracción de microplásticos involucró un método modificado de oxidación húmeda con peróxido y tinción negativa utilizando ferroína. Se identificaron un total de 124 MP, todos ellos microfibras. El número de microfibras por gramo mostró una correlación negativa significativa con la ruralidad. A pesar de su menor presencia en las zonas rurales, C. concolor mostró una mayor capacidad de acumulación de MP que otras especies de líquenes estudiadas. Proponemos a C. concolor como un bioindicador prometedor para la contaminación por MP en entornos rurales, si bien reconocemos la necesidad de realizar más investigaciones para dilucidar los mecanismos subyacentes y explorar explicaciones alternativas para los patrones observados. Además, este estudio introduce un método rentable para la extracción de MP de líquenes, lo que facilita futuros estudios en entornos con recursos limitados. En general, este trabajo proporciona información valiosa sobre la contaminación por MP en áreas rurales y destaca el potencial de C. concolor como bioindicador en este contexto.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.