We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Macroplastics in the Guarapiranga reservoir (São Paulo, Brazil): estimating the generation of microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
This study identified and quantified macroplastics and microplastics in the Guarapiranga Reservoir in Sao Paulo, Brazil, a major public water supply reservoir, assessing contamination levels and sources. Plastics of multiple size classes were detected in the reservoir, highlighting contamination risks for a water body used to supply drinking water to millions of people.
Pollution control of continental waters is essential, especially reservoirs, as they are the source of public supply. One of the main protagonists of this pollution is plastics and their size influences the levels of negative impact on the environment, and this study identified macroplastics ¿ 5mm and microplastics 1mm ≤ 5mm. The Guarapiranga Reservoir is the second largest supply system in the São Paulo Metropolitan Region, so it is necessary to guarantee its noble use to maintain supply and public health. The study aims to estimate the amount of microplastics that the macroplastics collected on the banks of the reservoir can generate in two seasonal seasons, dry and rainy, identifying the main polymers, product function, mass and volume. The dry season field collection took place in June 2023 and the items were sorted by washing, photographic recording, counting, weighing, identification by evidence or ATR FT-IR spectroscopy technique. 315 items were collected at 9 points, resulting in 7 items/m² and 1,268 g. The most commonly found polymer was PP, mostly found in disposables and packaging, followed by EPS, for food packaging and HDPE, found in bottle caps. These polymers corroborate the most prevalent land use and occupation: leisure areas, i.e. the waste from consuming drinks and food during leisure time at the reservoir is not properly disposed of post-consumption. The maximum projection of microplastics (1mm particles) was 2.27x1014 items/m² and the minimum projection (5mm particles) was 1,814 items/m² in a total volume of 1,135 cm³. The potential for long-term pollution is evident, making it a tool for developing public policies on plastics, reinforcing existing ones and investing in water treatment technologies. Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/559494/document
More Papers Like This
Macroplastics in the Guarapiranga reservoir (São Paulo, Brazil): estimating the generation of microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers surveyed macroplastics in the Guarapiranga Reservoir, a major public water supply in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and estimated the rate of microplastic generation from their fragmentation. Large plastic debris in the reservoir was found to be a significant in-situ source of secondary microplastics.
Microplastic pollution of water and sediment from the Guarapiranga Reservoir, Metropolitan Region of São Paulo, Brazil
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured microplastic contamination in water and sediment from the Guarapiranga Reservoir in the Sao Paulo metropolitan region of Brazil, a major drinking water source. The study found diverse microplastic types and raises concerns about plastic pollution in urban water supply systems.
Microplastic pollution responses to spatial and seasonal variations and water level management in a polymictic tropical reservoir (São Paulo, Brazil)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers assessed microplastic pollution in water and sediment from the Guarapiranga Reservoir in Brazil, which supplies drinking water to over five million people. They found that microplastic concentrations were higher near urbanized areas and during the dry season, with water management operations like reservoir drawdowns influencing particle distribution. The study highlights the connection between urban land use, seasonal patterns, and microplastic contamination in critical drinking water sources.
Microplastic contamination in the Guandu River basin: The water supply reservoir of Rio de Janeiro metropolitan region (Southeastern Brazil)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers characterised the extent and distribution of microplastic contamination throughout the Guandu River basin in Brazil, which supplies drinking water to a major urban area, quantifying MP concentrations and identifying dominant polymer types and morphologies to assess risks to the water supply.
Microplastic Pollution in Water and Sediments in a Public Supply Reservoir in Presidente Prudente (SP), Brazil
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in a public water supply reservoir in Brazil and identified 663 particles, predominantly fibers, with the most common polymers being PET, polypropylene, and polyethylene. The total estimated microplastic load in the reservoir was approximately 15.7 million particles, with higher concentrations near urbanized areas, suggesting untreated domestic and industrial effluents as primary contamination sources.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.