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The Chubut River estuary as a source of microplastics and other anthropogenic particles into the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean
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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.
This is the first report of anthropogenic particles (APs), including microplastics and synthetic, semi-synthetic and anthropogenically-altered natural fibers, in water and sediment of the Chubut River estuary. This river is the main source of freshwater in Chubut Province (Patagonia, Argentina), where wastes and pollutants are poured and finally end in the Atlantic Ocean. The average concentration in surface and bottom water samples was 5.5 items/L, while in sediment was 175.4 items/kg dw. Raman's analysis identified particles dominated by polyethylene terephthalate (PET) (35.5 %), dye signature only (18.5) and anthropogenic cellulose (10 %). Fibers were the prevalent shape (83 %), and the chemical identification evidenced a textile origin. The highest APs concentration was found in sediments from the site with the finest grain size and the greatest amount of organic matter. Present results will provide a baseline for future studies and raise public and governmental awareness.
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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.