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First insight into microplastic groundwater pollution in Latin America: the case of a coastal aquifer in Northwest Mexico
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Researchers conducted the first investigation of microplastic pollution in groundwater in Latin America, analyzing six capped boreholes in a coastal aquifer in northwest Mexico for microplastic abundance, concentration, and characteristics. The study detected microplastics in groundwater samples, establishing baseline contamination data for this understudied environmental compartment and raising concerns about drinking water quality in the region.
Abstract Microplastics have been studied on biota and other environmental domains, such as soils. Despite the importance of groundwater as a resource for millions of people worldwide as drinking water and personal hygiene, domestic, agricultural, mining, and industrial purposes, there are very few studies concerning MPs in this domain around the world. We present the first study in Latin America addressing this topic. Six capped boreholes were analyzed in terms of abundance, concentration, and chemical characterization, at three different depths, from a coastal aquifer in Northwest Mexico. This aquifer is highly permeable and affected by anthropogenic activities. A total of 221 MPs were found in the eighteen samples. In terms of concentration, the interval ranged from 4 to 29 particles/L, with an average of 12.3 particles/L. Four synthetic polymers were identified: isotactic polypropylene (iPP), hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), carboxylated polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and low-density polyethylene (LDPE); with iPP being the most abundant (64.3%) in each borehole. Agriculture activities and septic outflows are considered the potential regional sources of these contaminants into the aquifer. Three possible transport pathways to the aquifer are suggested: (1) marine intrusion, (2) marsh intrusion, and (3) infiltration through the soil. More research about the occurrence, concentration, and distribution of the different kinds of MPs in groundwater is needed to have a better understanding of the behavior and health risks to organisms, including human beings.
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First insight into microplastic groundwater pollution in Latin America: the case of a coastal aquifer in Northwest Mexico
AI summary Read the abstract
This is the first study to investigate microplastic contamination in groundwater in Latin America, examining a coastal aquifer in Northwest Mexico. Researchers found microplastics at all six sampled locations and at multiple depths, confirming that groundwater is not immune to this type of pollution. Since millions of people depend on groundwater for drinking water, these findings raise important questions about microplastic exposure through water supplies.
Microplastics in groundwater of two rural communities in Mexico
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Researchers detected microplastics in drinking water from ten rural wells in two Mexican communities, finding diverse polymer types and morphologies at concentrations that suggest widespread groundwater MP contamination even in areas distant from major urban pollution sources.
Contaminación por microplásticos en el acuífero kárstico de la península de Yucatán
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Researchers sampled water from cenotes and wells throughout the Yucatan karst aquifer and identified microplastic particles in every groundwater sample, with fibers comprising 94% of particles and concentrations ranging from 10 to 936 particles per liter, establishing that this primary regional drinking water source is universally contaminated with microplastics.
A Global Review of Microplastic Contamination in Groundwater: Empirical Evidence and Latin American Perspectives
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Scientists reviewed 129 studies and found that tiny pieces of plastic (called microplastics) are contaminating groundwater around the world, which is concerning because groundwater provides drinking water to billions of people. The research shows we don't know enough about this problem, especially in Latin America where only two studies have actually tested groundwater for plastic contamination. This matters because we need better monitoring and policies to protect our underground water sources from plastic pollution that could affect human health.
Microplastics in Groundwater of Two Rural Communities in Mexico
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Researchers sampled ten rural drinking-water wells in Mexico over ten months and detected microplastics at concentrations up to 0.41 MP/L, with all particles appearing as fragments composed of nylon, HDPE, PP, PS, PVC, and PET, and found that microplastic abundance was higher in the dry season, suggesting rainfall dilutes groundwater contamination.
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