We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microfibers at the negro river, patagonia argentina
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured microfiber concentrations in surface water along the Negro River estuary in Argentine Patagonia in summer and winter, finding microfibers present at all six sampling locations. Rivers in Patagonia transport microfibers from inland sources to the Atlantic Ocean, contributing to marine plastic pollution even in relatively remote coastal regions.
Riverine inputs to the ocean has been pointed as a major source of plastics to the ocean; beside this, information on river plastic loads is scarce and patchily distributed around the world. In this work, we aimed to assess the average amount of microfibers (MFs) transported in the Negro River (NR, Argentinean Patagonia) water which reaches its estuary and the Atlantic coast along cold (July) and warm (December) seasons. Then, surface water was collected at six locations along the Negro River estuary (El Condor, El Pescadero, La Baliza, NR mouth, Water Facilities, Patagones City) using a 350 μm pore floating net fitted with a mechanical flowmeter. The samples were subsequently digested with 30% H2O2 at 40 °C for 72 h, filtered with GF/F filters and finally counted under binocular stereoscopic loupe. The results obtained showed that MF particles were found in 100% of the samples with a global average of 0.65 MFs.m-3. While lower counts were found in winter (0.42±0.21 MFs.m-3), concentrations in summer almost doubled the winter values (0.79±0.72 MFs.m-3) probably due to the higher outdoor activities along the river. The northern and much less urbanized area of the river estuary (La Baliza) showed the minimum microfiber values independently of the sampling season. In regards to microfiber size distribution and colour, there was a homogeneous pattern along the year which showed higher counts in the medium and small microplastic range (¿ 1 um up to 3 mm). The average colour distribution was black (41%)¿transparent (20%)¿blue (12%)¿white (11%)¿red (9%)¿ green (7%). This work provides evidence of the impact of plastic in riverine waters reaching the Atlantic Ocean, providing a scientific baseline and raising a concern in regard to the need to mitigate each possible source of MFs to the water course. Also see: https://micro2022.sciencesconf.org/427395/document
More Papers Like This
The Chubut River estuary as a source of microplastics and other anthropogenic particles into the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers documented the first evidence of anthropogenic particles, including microplastics and synthetic fibers, in both water and sediment of the Chubut River estuary in Patagonia, Argentina, identifying the river as a pathway delivering plastic pollution into the southwestern Atlantic Ocean.
Occurrence and distribution of microplastics along the Colorado River, Patagonia Argentina
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted the first study of microplastic contamination along the Colorado River in Argentine Patagonia, collecting samples from 12 sites spanning approximately 1000 km. The findings document microplastic pollution in a remote South American river affected by agriculture, hydrocarbon extraction, and urbanization, showing that even relatively pristine rivers carry plastic pollution.
Transport of microplastics in the Argentine Sea: from the coastal to the Rincón and continental slope front
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastics were sampled from both coastal and open sea areas of the Argentine Sea and found to be predominantly fibers in all locations, with concentrations decreasing from coastal to offshore stations. Fibers made up nearly all particles found at coastal sampling sites, indicating that land-based and shipping sources dominate the contamination. The study provides important baseline data for understanding microplastic distribution across a large and undersampled South Atlantic marine ecosystem.
Occurrence, distribution, and characterization of suspended microplastics in a highly impacted estuarine wetland in Argentina
AI summary Read the abstract
Suspended microplastics were characterized in an estuarine wetland in Argentina, with fiber-dominated samples indicating textile and aquatic sources and seasonal variation in concentration linked to river discharge and wind patterns.
Quantification and composition analysis of plastic pollution in riverine beaches of the lower Paraná River, Argentina
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found macro-, meso-, and microplastics along riverbanks near Rosario city on the lower Paraná River in Argentina, with single-use items being dominant. The study highlights that South American freshwater rivers are important conduits for plastic pollution entering the ocean.
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.