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Microplastics and microfibers in the Guajará Bay, Amazon delta: Potential sources and variability
Summary
This study assessed microplastic and microfiber distribution in Guajará Bay at the mouth of the Amazon delta, finding concentrations ranging widely but clustering near the urbanized bank of the bay. Most particles were anthropogenic cellulose fibers, with PET and polyamide as the dominant synthetic polymers, and levels were highest close to the city of Belém. The Amazon's enormous flow to the Atlantic makes understanding plastic sources and transport here critical for estimating global ocean microplastic inputs.
The role of Amazon on the transport and as a source of microplastics (MPs) to the ocean is uncertain. This study is an assessment on the distribution of MPs and microfibers (MFs) in a portion of the Amazon delta. Guajará bay is a potential source for surrounding waters, since a metropolis is located at the right margin. Surface water samples were collected during the dry and rainy season of 2014/2015 at six stations. MP and MF abundance ranged from 218 to 5529.98 (1565.01 ± 196.94) particles·m. Transparent, white and blue particles were frequent. Higher values were detected on the right, urbanized margin of the bay (p = 0.0124). Most of the particles were anthropogenic cellulose fibers (68.8 %). Polyethylene terephthalate (52.9 %) and polyamide (34.4 %) were the dominant polymers. Our results indicate higher MP and MF abundances near to the potential source, the urban nucleus, and related to local hydrodynamic characteristics.