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Surface layer microplastic pollution in four bays of the central Mexican Pacific
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Researchers sampled surface microplastics monthly across four bays of the central Mexican Pacific over one year, finding median concentrations between 0.26 and 0.40 particles per square meter with polypropylene and polyethylene as the dominant polymers. Fibers dominated most samples, though Manzanillo Bay showed seasonal dominance of fragments during the rainy season.
Surface microplastics were sampled monthly in four tropical bays (Manzanillo, Santiago, Navidad and Cuastecomates) of the central Mexican Pacific during March 2017 to February 2018. Microplastic concentrations ranged between 0.01 and 1.05 particles/m with a median per bay ranging between 0.26 and 0.40 particles/m. Raman spectroscopy registered polypropylene (40%), polyethylene (40%) and polyester (20%) polymers. Fibers dominated all samples, except for Manzanillo where fragments numerically dominated during the rainy season (Jun-Oct). Fiber concentration was not significantly different among bays or seasons, likely associated with continuous wastewater discharge. Fragment concentrations were significantly higher in Bahía Manzanillo and Santiago than the other two bays. Non-metric multidimensional scaling showed distinct distribution of Manzanillo samples (which has important port activities) as compared to Santiago, Navidad, Cuastecomates (where tourism economic activities predominate). This first direct comparison of sea surface microplastic concentration among four bays in Mexico provides a baseline to study impacts on marine zooplankton in this tropical ecosystem.
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Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination in surface water, sediments, and wastewater treatment plant effluents in Todos Santos Bay, Mexico, detecting microplastics in all matrices with fragments and fibers as the dominant morphologies and polypropylene and polyethylene among the identified polymers. Wastewater treatment plant effluents were identified as a key source, contributing fibers to the bay, while surface currents and sediment grain size governed spatial distribution.
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Researchers documented seasonal distribution of microplastics in Northern Indian Ocean surface waters across three monsoon periods, finding polyethylene and polypropylene dominated at 83%, with fibers accounting for 86% of all particles.
Pollution by microplastic in highly crowded sandy beaches in Lima, Peru
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Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination at three heavily visited sandy beaches in Lima, Peru, finding fragments and fibers of polypropylene and polyethylene as the most common particles, with abundance varying by season and beach characteristics.
Microplastics on sandy beaches of the Baja California Peninsula, Mexico
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Microplastics were found on all 21 sandy beach sites surveyed along the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico, with pellets and fragments as the dominant types and higher concentrations near urban areas. The study provides baseline data on microplastic contamination along a lengthy stretch of Mexican Pacific coastline largely lacking previous environmental monitoring.
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.