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Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Environmental Sources Sign in to save

Microplastics in rivers and coastal waters of the province of Esmeraldas, Ecuador

Marine Pollution Bulletin 2021 46 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count.
Mariana V. Capparelli, Jon Molinero, Gabriel M. Moulatlet, Miren Barrado, Santiago Prado-Alcívar, Marcela Cabrera, Giovana Teixeira Gimiliani, Carolina Ñacato, Verónica Pinos-Vélez, Isabel Cipriani-Ávila

Summary

Researchers found microplastic contamination throughout rivers and coastal waters of Esmeraldas Province, Ecuador, with coastal waters showing significantly higher concentrations than rivers and transparent fibres and brown fragments being the most abundant types.

This study represents the first assessment of microplastic (MP) contamination in the coastal area of the Esmeraldas Province, Ecuador. MPs were quantified in 14 coastal waters in beaches with different urbanization level and in 10 rivers. The most abundant MP types were transparent fibres, brown fragments, grey fragments, transparent fragments, and black fragments, which together represented 84% of the total count. Coastal waters presented significantly higher quantities of MP than rivers. No difference in microplastic abundance was detected between beaches with higher and lower urban occupation, nor between beaches facing North or West. Our results indicate that MP contamination is widespread, and most likely transported from multiple sources. Our results can serve as a baseline for future MP monitoring in the area.

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