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Microplastics all over the World. Update on Studies in Latin America
Summary
This review of 426 studies from Latin America found that tiny plastic particles called microplastics are widespread throughout the region's water, soil, and air, with especially high levels in underwater sediments. The plastic particles are showing up in fish, shellfish, and other animals that people eat, and even "protected" nature areas can't keep microplastics out. This matters because these contaminated foods and environments could potentially affect human health, though more research is needed to understand the full impact.
This systematic review of 466 publications includes 426 studies since late 2022 from 15 countries in Latin America (LA) and the Caribbean, providing information on current state of knowledge on abundance, distribution, and associated impact of microplastics (MPs) in marine and freshwater, soil, and the atmosphere, including aquatic and terrestrial biota. Brazil is the most prolific LA country, followed by Mexico and then Argentina and Colombia, together comprising 74.8% of publications since mid-2022. Publications are mainly from experimental work on MPs, but there are also papers on environmental MP levels and effects. MPs are especially high in sediments, and hydrodynamic processes play a key role in their transport; tributaries, confluences and plumes positively influence aquatic concentrations. Wet and dry season levels vary, but not predictably. MP levels in marine protected areas and their biota indicate that protection does not preclude MP entry. Remoter areas of LA show low MP levels, transmitted by air, water and birds. Although studies on MPs in larger animals are rare, there is considerable information on fish and shellfish, and some on larger animals like flying birds, reptiles and wild mammals. Initiatives for increasing MP studies in LA, with its diverse ecosystems, are considered.