We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastics in groundwater of two rural communities in Mexico
Summary
Researchers detected microplastics in drinking water from ten rural wells in two Mexican communities, finding diverse polymer types and morphologies at concentrations that suggest widespread groundwater MP contamination even in areas distant from major urban pollution sources.
Groundwater is used by almost two billion people worldwide. Microplastic (MP) pollution is found in every environment; however, studies on groundwater MP pollution are scarce. Therefore, the present study evaluated the amount and types of microplastics in ten rural wells where drinking water is extracted for two rural Mexican communities. In each well two samples were taken per month for 10 months; one to evaluate MP air deposition, of surface water (first 5 cm of depth) and another of water without contact with air (3 to 5 m depth). There were no differences between the communities in the average number of microplastics in both types of samples. MP measured 2,100 to 4,400 μm in length. 100% of the MP found were fragments. In both communities, color abundance coincided: black > white > blue > green > gray. The polymers identified were nylon, HDPE, PP, PS, PVC, and PET. There were no differences in the abundance of MP by air deposition, between dry and rainy seasons; however, there was a highest abundance (p<0.05) in the dry season (0.41 MP/L) in deep water, which indicates that rainwater dilutes this type of pollution (0.25 MP/L). Ixtacuixtla and Xocoyucan, Mexico, do not adequately manage their urban solid wastes and wastewater, generating plastic pollution in the region's groundwater, which represents a risk to human health.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
First insight into microplastic groundwater pollution in Latin America: the case of a coastal aquifer in Northwest Mexico
Researchers conducted the first investigation of microplastic pollution in groundwater in Latin America, analyzing six capped boreholes in a coastal aquifer in northwest Mexico for microplastic abundance, concentration, and characteristics. The study detected microplastics in groundwater samples, establishing baseline contamination data for this understudied environmental compartment and raising concerns about drinking water quality in the region.
First insight into microplastic groundwater pollution in Latin America: the case of a coastal aquifer in Northwest Mexico
This is the first study to investigate microplastic contamination in groundwater in Latin America, examining a coastal aquifer in Northwest Mexico. Researchers found microplastics at all six sampled locations and at multiple depths, confirming that groundwater is not immune to this type of pollution. Since millions of people depend on groundwater for drinking water, these findings raise important questions about microplastic exposure through water supplies.
Contamination, morphological and chemical characterization, and hazard risk analyses of microplastics in drinking water sourced from groundwater in a developing nation
Researchers analyzed groundwater from six coastal districts in a developing nation and found widespread microplastic contamination, with fibers and fragments of polyethylene and polypropylene being the most common types. Since groundwater is the primary drinking water source in many developing countries, this contamination represents a direct pathway for microplastic ingestion by millions of people.
Contaminación por microplásticos en el acuífero kárstico de la península de Yucatán
Researchers sampled water from cenotes and wells throughout the Yucatan karst aquifer and identified microplastic particles in every groundwater sample, with fibers comprising 94% of particles and concentrations ranging from 10 to 936 particles per liter, establishing that this primary regional drinking water source is universally contaminated with microplastics.
Distribution and transport of microplastics in groundwater (Shiraz aquifer, southwest Iran)
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in groundwater from an alluvial aquifer in a semi-arid region of Iran. They identified microplastics in all sampled wells, with fibers and fragments being the most common shapes and polyethylene the dominant polymer type. The study demonstrates that groundwater, an important source of drinking water, is not immune to microplastic contamination and calls for more research on transport mechanisms in subsurface environments.