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Measuring Microplastics in the Middle Rio Grande Through Albuquerque, New Mexico
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Water and sediment samples from four sites on the Rio Grande near Albuquerque, New Mexico, were collected and analyzed for microplastics. The study confirmed that microplastics are present in this river system, contributing baseline field data from a previously understudied region of the American Southwest.
The vast production of plastics has resulted in an increase of microplastics (MPs) in the environment. MPs are found in water and food systems, and we demonstrate that MPs are present in the Rio Grande near Albuquerque. In this project, we collected samples from four sites on the Rio Grande in Albuquerque. At each site, we collected water and sediment samples in non-plastic containers to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Density separation methods were used to float MPs and separate the MPs from sediment, and the MPs were decanted into a vacuum filter. Our procedure for sediment sample processing did not produce reasonable results, therefore these samples were not analyzed or assessed. MPs were manually picked from water sample filter paper using microscopes and tweezers. The primary finding of this project indicates that MPs are present in the Rio Grande. At the upstream site we observed 20 MPs/L, at the first intermediate site there were 19 MPs/L, at the second intermediate site 14 MPs/L were found, and at the site downstream from Albuquerque's water treatment plant 32 MPs/L were found. Although MPs were identified in the Rio Grande and an increase in MPs down river through Albuquerque was observed, we consider these results to be preliminary. Significant uncertainty and variability in our processing approaches exist, therefore additional samples should be collected to verify the results.
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Microplastic Presence in the Río Bravo/Grande Along the Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico–El Paso, Texas, United States of America Metroplex
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The Rio Bravo/Grande, which forms the border between Mexico and the United States, has never previously been studied for microplastic contamination — and this study provides the first data. Researchers found microplastic particles in both water (up to 17 particles per liter) and riverbed sediment (up to 10,000 particles per kilogram) at multiple sites along the El Paso-Ciudad Juarez urban corridor, with fibers being the most abundant form. The findings establish baseline contamination levels in a major transboundary river, raising questions about the implications for agricultural irrigation and drinking water in a region where both countries depend heavily on this river.
Occurrence and Distribution of Microplastics in Hydrologically Connected River–Reservoir Systems: Tepeji–Requena and Tula–Endhó, Mexico
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Researchers tested water from two connected river and reservoir systems in central Mexico, the Tepeji River-Requena Reservoir and the Tula River-Endhó Reservoir, for microplastics. Samples were filtered and treated chemically, then examined under a microscope to detect and count the plastic particles present.
Microplastics in water and bed sediments from the Baluarte River Basin: Occurrence, behavior and composition
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This study characterized microplastics in water and bed sediments from the Baluarte River basin in Mexico, documenting occurrence, spatial distribution, and dominant polymer types, and identifying urban wastewater and agricultural runoff as key sources.
Microplastics in freshwater sediments of Atoyac River basin, Puebla City, Mexico
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Microplastics were found throughout the sediments of the Atoyac River basin in central Mexico, with fibers and fragments as the dominant shapes and higher concentrations near urban areas. The study provides baseline data on freshwater microplastic contamination in a rapidly urbanizing region of Latin America.
Microplastics in the sediments of the Tijuana River Basin, Mexico
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Researchers documented widespread microplastic contamination in the sediments of the Tijuana River, a binational waterway shared by Mexico and the United States, with fibers and polypropylene fragments being the most common types. Inadequate wastewater treatment and poor solid waste management were identified as the primary sources.
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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.