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First evidence of microplastics in nine lakes across Patagonia (South America)
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Microplastics were found for the first time in nine lakes across the Argentine Patagonian Region, with blue PET fibers dominant and concentrations suggesting relatively low pollution compared to lakes in the Northern Hemisphere. Urban runoff, textiles, and fisheries were the main sources, and lakes that were larger, shallower, and at the end of watersheds accumulated more plastic.
Microplastics (MPs) on lakes have been reported mainly from Europe, Asia, and North America. Then, this study aimed to address the quantification and identification of MPs in nine lakes from the Argentine Patagonian Region. Blue colored fibers were dominant, with a size range between 0.2 and <0.4 mm. The mean MPs concentration was 0.9 ± 0.6 MPs m, suggesting a low pollution state when compared to other worldwide lakes. Raman microscopy analysis showed a predominance of Indigo Blue Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) particles. The upper-gradient runoff from urban settlements, textiles, and fisheries were identified as the main MPs sources and levels positively correlated with the higher area, shallower depth, and with an end-position in the watershed. These findings fill a gap in the geographical distribution knowledge, setting a baseline that emphasizes the need for better treatment of urban and fisheries wastes in continental lakes.
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Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in water, sediment, and the native fish Jenynsia lineata in the Suquía River basin, Argentina, spanning areas of varying human activity. MPs were found in 100% of water and sediment samples and at least 80% of fish, with PET and cellulose polymers dominating, confirming widespread MP pollution even in sparsely urbanized areas.
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Researchers found microplastics in the gastrointestinal tracts of all three fish species examined from Argentina's Mendoza River in the Central Andes, with fibers comprising 85% of particles, marking the first evidence of microplastic pollution in this high-altitude freshwater system.
Lakes with or without urbanization along their coasts had similar level of microplastic contamination, but significant differences were seen between sampling methods
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Researchers compared microplastic contamination across six Patagonian lakes with and without urban shorelines and found similarly high contamination in all lakes regardless of urbanization, strongly suggesting atmospheric deposition as the dominant transport pathway, while also revealing that sampling method (bottle vs. net) can produce results differing by more than 3,000-fold.
Microplastics in 132 Iowa lakes and variability in relation to abiotic, biotic, and anthropogenic factors
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Researchers surveyed microplastic concentrations across 132 lakes in Iowa, finding that microplastics were nearly ubiquitous even in rural, minimally developed lakes — though concentrations were higher in lakes near urban areas, agricultural land, and higher human population density. Fiber-type microplastics were most common, consistent with patterns seen globally. The broad survey across diverse lake types provides compelling evidence that microplastic contamination of freshwater lakes is widespread across the American Midwest, not limited to industrial or highly urbanized regions.
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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.