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First evidence of microplastics in the Quilca-Vítor-Chili river basin, Arequipa region, Peru
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This study documented microplastics for the first time in three Peruvian river basins in the Arequipa region, finding an average concentration of 35 particles per cubic meter of water across all sites, with polyethylene and polypropylene being the dominant polymers. Filaments made up over 70% of particles, suggesting textile fibers as a key source. The findings establish a contamination baseline for this region and highlight illegal landfills and agricultural plastic use as primary pollution drivers.
The Chili, Vitor and Quilca rivers and their tributaries in Peru serve as a vital water resource for both irrigation and domestic use in the surrounding communities and agricultural areas. The purpose of this study was to establish, for the first time, the presence, abundance, distribution and chemical identity of polymer microparticles in aqueous samples from these river basins. The results showed that, on average, filaments were the most dominant (71.4 %), followed by fragments (17.2 %) and film (6.74 %). Identification of the polymer types revealed that the most abundant type of MPs is polyethylene (40.8 %), followed by polypropylene (23.8 %), synthetic fibres (15.8 %), and other synthetic polymers. All samples showed the occurrence of microplastics, with a mean concentration of 35.34 MPs/m, a maximum value of 172.70 MPs/m and a minimum value of 3.59 MPs/m. The results reported in this study establish a baseline for the study area for the first time; in addition, the areas were established with a Pollution Indicator, and the Pollutant Load Index (PLI) was calculated, which reinforced the proposed identification, alerting the need to control clandestine urban and rural landfills, as well as the indiscriminate use of PE big bags in the agricultural catchment.
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First evidence of microplastics in the Chili, Vitor and Quilca river basin in the city of Arequipa - Peru
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Microplastics were detected for the first time in the Chili, Vitor, and Quilca rivers in the Arequipa region of southern Peru, filling a major data gap for South American river systems. Both water and sediment samples contained microplastic particles, primarily fragments and fibers. The findings show that even remote Andean river basins are affected by plastic pollution, likely carried from urban and agricultural areas.
First approach to microplastics occurrence in sandy beaches in the province of Islay (Arequipa), southern Peru
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Researchers conducted the first assessment of microplastic occurrence on five sandy beaches in the province of Islay in southern Peru, sampling to 5 cm depth and finding 304 particles total with average densities of 1–4 particles/m2. Beaches adjacent to the Tambo River estuary showed the highest microplastic concentrations, suggesting river transport as a significant delivery pathway to coastal environments.
Microplásticos en sedimentos fluviales en la cuenca baja del río Rímac, Perú
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Researchers conducted the first microplastics study in the lower Rímac River basin in Peru, documenting a dramatic increase from 97 particles in November 2017 to 2,982 particles in August 2018, with fragments, films, filaments, and spherules present — raising concern given the river is the primary water source for metropolitan Lima.
Microplastics in tropical Andean rivers: A perspective from a highly populated Ecuadorian basin without wastewater treatment
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Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in a highly populated Ecuadorian river basin that lacks wastewater treatment, finding contamination throughout the system and demonstrating that rivers in low-income tropical countries with poor infrastructure are major conduits for microplastics.
Characteristics, abundance, distribution, and degradation dynamics of microplastics in the high Colca-Chilli water transfer systems: Tracing an emergent pollutant to Andean reservoirs
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Researchers characterized microplastic presence, distribution, and weathering state in four high-altitude Andean reservoirs in Peru's Colca-Chilli system, finding microplastics in all sites with UV degradation and wind transport as major factors shaping contamination.
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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.