We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastics on the surface of marine waters of the coast of Santa Catarina (Brazil): identification by stereomicroscope and FTIR-ATR spectrophotometer
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers detected microplastics in surface seawater off the northern coast of Santa Catarina, Brazil — an area not previously studied for microplastic contamination — finding mostly plastic fragments and films, with polyethylene and polypropylene being the most common polymer types. The study also validated a low-cost, locally built sampling device as an effective tool for microplastic monitoring, which is important for expanding surveillance capacity in resource-limited regions.
The oceans are one of the final destinations for the vast majority of plastic waste; in this sense, particles smaller than 5 mm, classified as microplastics (MPs), represent an environmental challenge with global impact on several ecosystems. The work evaluated the presence of MPs in marine waters off the northern coast of Santa Catarina (Brazil), addressing sampling procedures, opening, characterization, and polymer identification. A low-cost equipment developed with easily accessible materials was tested in the sampling, showing excellent results in terms of buoyancy, stability, and mechanical strength. The concentration of MPs obtained in the study was 0.01 MPs per m3. The particles found were analyzed by stereomicroscopy and classified according to morphological aspects in relation to shape into fragments 58,00%, films 25,00%, and lines 17,00%, and regarding the aspect related to color, blue was predominant. The characterization and polymeric identification was performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy coupled to the total attenuated reflectance module (FTIR-ATR). The types of polymers identified were: polyethylene 33,33%; polypropylene 25,00%; butadiene-styrene copolymer 25,00%, and cellulose 16,66%. The work contributed to the evaluation of an area not yet studied in relation to the presence of MPs in marine waters, while at the same time described in detail the methodologies for analyzing microplastics proposed in the specialized literature.
More Papers Like This
Occurrence and morphological and chemical characterization of microplastics in the coast of Fortaleza city (Ceará, Brazil)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers evaluated microplastic occurrence along the coast of Fortaleza city in Brazil, finding plastic particles and fibers predominantly in the 1-2 mm size range using stereoscopic microscopy and FTIR spectroscopy. The results confirm microplastics are widespread in ocean waters along this heavily populated coastline.
Polymer Type Identification of Marine Plastic Litter Using a Miniature Near-Infrared Spectrometer (MicroNIR)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested a miniature near-infrared spectrometer (MicroNIR) for rapidly identifying polymer types in marine plastic litter collected from beaches, finding it could accurately distinguish common plastics like polyethylene and polypropylene. Low-cost, portable identification tools are important for large-scale monitoring of marine plastic pollution.
Floating microplastics in northern coastal waters of sri lanka: Quantification and characterization by FTIR
AI summary Read the abstract
Floating microplastics were detected in northern Sri Lanka's coastal waters for the first time, with FTIR spectroscopy identifying polyethylene and polypropylene as the dominant polymer types. The study fills an important data gap for South Asian coastal waters and highlights inputs from local fishing, tourism, and domestic waste. Establishing baseline contamination data is a critical first step toward effective plastic pollution management in the region.
Morphology, Chemical Characterization and Sources of Microplastics in a Coastal City in The Equatorial Zone With Diverse Anthropogenic Activities (Fortaleza City, Brazil)
AI summary Read the abstract
This Brazilian study performed morphological and chemical characterization of microplastics in seawater samples from the coast of Fortaleza, a major coastal city in the equatorial zone. Using multiple spectroscopic techniques, the research identified polymer types and investigated the diversity of anthropogenic sources contributing to coastal microplastic contamination.
Microplastic contamination in surface waters in Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers sampled surface waters of Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, by horizontal plankton net trawling, finding microplastic concentrations ranging from 1.40 to 21.3 particles/m2 with chemical compositions identified by infrared spectroscopy. The results document widespread microplastic contamination in this heavily urbanised coastal bay.
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.