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Evidence of plastics contamination and sewage-derived residues in a Brazilian Hope Spot for conservation of marine biodiversity - Cagarras Islands and surrounding waters
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Researchers found plastic contamination including microplastics in a protected marine conservation area near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, designated as a Hope Spot for biodiversity. Plastics made up about 79% of marine litter collected, and microplastics were detected in the water, with evidence suggesting contamination from nearby sewage overflow. The study shows that even officially protected marine areas are not safe from microplastic pollution, which threatens the biodiversity these reserves are meant to protect.
Cagarras Islands Archipelago, a no-take MPA in Southeast Brazil, was designated as Natural Monument (MONA Cagarras) and, more recently, recognized as Hope Spot for biodiversity conservation. This study aimed to assess plastic contamination by analyzing marine litter and microplastics in MONA Cagarras and surrounding waters. Marine litter (34.12 kg) was caught by artisanal fishermen in MONA Cagarras proximities, and plastics represented ∼79 %. Personal hygiene items and strains of hair were found, suggesting sewage-derived contamination from Ipanema SSO. Microplastics were detected in MONA Cagarras surface waters. Fragments and black particle were the most frequently found microplastic shape and color, respectively. μ-FTIR analysis identified, in descending order of occurrence, polystyrene-PS, polyethylene-PE, polyvinyl chloride-PVC, polypropylene-P, and polyamide-PA. Our integrated results of macro and microplastic contamination highlight an issue of effective conservation and health of marine biodiversity in MONA Cagarras and surrounding waters and a concern for better management of Brazilian MPAs.
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Microplastics in the surface waters of a brazilian marine protected area - cagarras archipelago
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Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in the surface waters of MONA Cagarras, a no-take marine protected area and recognised Hope Spot in the Rio de Janeiro archipelago, using Manta trawl sampling with a 68 µm mesh net deployed from a motorised vessel. The study documents microplastic presence in a protected coastal area of high biodiversity value, raising questions about the effectiveness of conservation designations in shielding marine ecosystems from plastic pollution.
Microplastics in the surface waters of a brazilian marine protected area - cagarras archipelago
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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.