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Density and temporal dynamics of macroplastics in an urban river, Central Brazil
Summary
A study of the Meia Ponte River in Central Brazil recorded 2,024 macroplastic items (>3 cm) across sampling sites, with temporal variation and pollution source being the primary drivers of density rather than location along the river. Urban rivers in tropical regions act as critical conduits transporting plastic waste toward ocean systems, and seasonal dynamics must be accounted for in effective plastic management strategies.
Macroplastic pollution in riverine systems is a growing concern, particularly in neotropical rivers draining urban and agricultural areas. These environments act as vectors for the transport and deposition of plastic waste, thereby compromising water quality and ecosystem services. This study assessed the influence of temporal variation (seasonal and intraseasonal), spatial variation (along the river stretch), source, and deposition site on the density of macroplastics (>3 cm) in the Meia Ponte River, Goiás, located in the upper section of the Paraná River basin, Central Brazil. Four sampling campaigns were conducted between 2023 and 2024 at three main channel points, covering areas upstream and downstream of the Goiânia metropolitan region. The macroplastics were visually identified and classified in situ by source and deposition site. Density was analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's post-hoc tests. A total of 2,024 items were recorded, yielding a total density of 40.4 items.m−2. Significant differences were observed among the categories of seasonality, intraseasonality, and source (p<0.05). It is concluded that temporal variation (seasonal and intraseasonal) and source are the modulating factors of macroplastic dynamics in the sampled river.