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Microplastic in the sediments of a highly eutrophic tropical estuary
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Researchers quantified and characterized microplastics in sublittoral sediments of Guanabara Bay, a highly eutrophic tropical estuary in Brazil, finding widespread contamination with fibers and fragments at concentrations reflecting the bay's heavy urbanization and poor waste management.
Given the implications of microplastics contamination in aquatic ecosystems and information scarcity about microplastic abundances in estuarine sediments, this study aimed to quantify and describe the microplastics in the sublittoral sediments from Guanabara Bay. Sediment samples were collected at four sites and three months, microplastics were separated and classified according to type, color, size, and polymer composition. High abundances of microplastic (160 to 1000 items kg or 4367 to 25,794 items m) occurred independent of area or period, indicating microplastics are widely spread in Guanabara Bay. The dominant microplastic in the sediment was the translucent polyester microfiber of <1 mm size; which is a secondary microplastic, possibly coming from washing machines wastes. The extremely high availability of microplastics in Guanabara Bay, compared to the majority of studies around the world, suggests high risk of contamination to benthic organisms and demersal fish, as they may be ingesting microplastics.
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This Brazilian study measured microplastic concentrations in surface waters of the western portion of Guanabara Bay, documenting widespread contamination in this heavily urbanized tropical bay. The results characterize the types and distribution of microplastics in suspension and raise concerns about their adsorption of organic contaminants and entry into local food chains.
Microplastics in surface waters of tropical estuaries around a densely populated Brazilian bay
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Researchers found extremely high microplastic concentrations (up to 33,000 items per cubic meter) in ten estuaries around Todos os Santos Bay, Brazil, largely driven by deficient domestic wastewater treatment serving over 3 million residents.
Assessment of microplastic in beaches of Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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Brazilian researchers analyzed beach sediments at three sites around Guanabara Bay in Rio de Janeiro for microplastic contamination, separating and characterizing plastic debris by size, color, and type. The study contributes to understanding microplastic pollution levels in one of Brazil's most urbanized and ecologically stressed coastal bays.
Microplastics in the sediment of the Amazonian fluvio-estuarine system: Possible influences of sediment characteristics on microplastics composition
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Researchers studied riverbed and estuary sediment from seven sites along the Pará River in the Brazilian Amazon. Microplastics, mostly fibers made of polyester and PET, were found in every sample, with sandier sediments containing more microplastics than muddier, silt-heavy areas.
Microplastics in Freshwater River in Rio de Janeiro and Its Role as a Source of Microplastic Pollution in Guanabara Bay, SE Brazil
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Researchers found widespread microplastic contamination in three rivers flowing into Guanabara Bay, Brazil, with an average of 3,651 particles per cubic meter dominated by fibers, identifying these freshwater systems as major sources of coastal microplastic pollution.
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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.