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Tipos, abundancia y contribución de las ciudades costeras a la distribución en sistemas de surgencia en las aguas superficiales costeras del Pacífico Sur del norte de Chile
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A survey of coastal Pacific waters in northern Chile found microplastics at high densities — over 6 million items per square kilometer — with fragments being the most common type. Coastal cities, particularly Arica, were identified as major contributors to plastic pollution in nearby upwelling zones.
The presence of microplastics (MP) 5 mm of 6.073.129 items/km2 was found with an average excluding >5 mm of 104.997 MP/km2, with a total weight of 63.630g/km2. Fragments were the most common type in this area, and transparent/translucent and white were the color most predominant. Sources such as cities could be affecting the abundance of microplastics. Arica was the city that contributed most to the presence of these particles, followed by Valparaiso. Port and touristic activities, and the weather, could be human activities more affecting the abundance of microplastics.
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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.