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Watershed urbanization and sanitation as predictors of microplastic contamination in stream sediments
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Researchers studied sediment from 16 urban streams in five Uruguayan cities to see how urbanization and sanitation access affect microplastic pollution. Streams with more urban development had higher microplastic levels, while streams serving areas with better sanitation access had lower levels. Polyethylene and polypropylene, common in household and urban waste, were the most frequent plastic types found.
Urbanization represents a major land-use change with substantial impacts on stream ecosystems. Urban streams are exposed to a wide range of contaminants, including microplastics (MPs), which enter these systems primarily through wastewater and stormwater runoff. However, the effects of urbanization and sanitation coverage on MPs accumulation in subtropical streams remain poorly understood. This study examined the influence of urbanization intensity and sanitation coverage on MP accumulation in sediments from 16 urban streams across five cities in Uruguay, representing a gradient of urbanization and access to sanitation. Higher MP abundances were observed in sediments from streams under greater urban pressure, whereas MPs levels decreased with increasing proportions of households with access to sanitation. Polymer composition was dominated by polyethylene and polypropylene, which are commonly associated with domestic and urban waste. PERI provided a comparative ranking among the sampled streams but should not be interpreted as a measure of actual ecological risk. These results emphasize the need to consider both the degree of urbanization and inequalities in access to services such as sanitation. In addition, the findings highlight the importance of including emerging contaminants such as MPs in comprehensive environmental assessments. This evidence can support the development of public policies aimed at mitigating the impacts of urbanization on aquatic ecosystems and promoting equitable and sustainable territorial management.
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Microplastic pollution in streams spanning an urbanisation gradient
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Researchers sampled microplastics in small streams across an urbanization gradient and found contamination at all sites, with concentrations comparable to those in larger rivers and lakes. Fragments and small particles between 63 and 500 micrometers were the most common forms detected. Surprisingly, catchment-scale factors like population density and stormwater overflows did not predict microplastic levels well, suggesting that local-scale sources may be more important for pollution in small streams.
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Researchers found that fish in urbanized Uruguayan lowland streams ingested significantly more meso- and microplastics than fish in streams draining extensive ranching land, with 309 individuals from 29 species analyzed. The results link watershed land use intensity to plastic contamination levels in freshwater fish communities.
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Researchers quantified microplastic pollution in sediments along a subtropical river system in southern Africa and examined how urbanization and wastewater treatment affect contamination levels. They found that microplastic densities were highest near urban areas and downstream of wastewater treatment plants. The study suggests that urban development and inadequate wastewater infrastructure are key drivers of freshwater microplastic pollution in the region.
Qualitative and quantitative analysis of microplastics in runoff sediments and their correlation with land use and occupation in an urban area in the city of Bauru-SP
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Researchers analysed the qualitative and quantitative distribution of microplastics in urban runoff sediments across different land use categories in Bauru, Sao Paulo, Brazil, including social housing, traditional residential, high-income residential, commercial, and industrial zones. Results indicated that microplastic abundance in transported sediments correlated with land use intensity, with more densely populated and active areas generating higher microplastic loads entering urban drainage networks.
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Researchers sampled a small Brazilian inland stream upstream and downstream of an urban center during dry and rainy seasons, finding urbanization significantly increased microplastic abundance from 1.7 to 2.6 particles per liter during the dry season, while rainfall effects were less consistent.
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