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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Microplastics in Rivers of South America: An Emerging Area of Research
ClearReview of current trends, advances and analytical challenges for microplastics contamination in Latin America
This review compiled 78 studies on microplastic contamination across Latin America and found that research in the region remains limited, with Brazil accounting for 34% of all studies. Fibers were the most prevalent microplastic type found, making up 62% of particles, with polyethylene, polypropylene, PET, and polystyrene accounting for 80% of identified polymers. The study highlights significant gaps in standardized methodologies that make it difficult to establish baseline microplastic pollution levels across the region.
A breakthrough in the harmonization of microplastics monitoring protocols in latin american region
This paper describes progress toward harmonizing microplastic monitoring protocols across Latin American countries, aiming to create consistent, comparable data from a region with significant plastic pollution challenges but historically fragmented scientific approaches. Standardized monitoring is a prerequisite for effective regional policy and for understanding how plastic pollution flows through South and Central American river systems.
A breakthrough in the harmonization of microplastics monitoring protocols in latin american region
This paper describes progress toward harmonizing microplastic monitoring protocols across Latin American countries, aiming to create consistent, comparable data from a region with significant plastic pollution challenges but historically fragmented scientific approaches. Standardized monitoring is a prerequisite for effective regional policy and for understanding how plastic pollution flows through South and Central American river systems.
A review on microplastics in major European rivers
This review summarizes existing research on microplastic contamination in six major European rivers, finding polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyethylene as the most common types. The researchers noted significant inconsistencies between studies due to different sampling and analysis methods, making it difficult to compare results or assess true contamination levels. Standardizing how scientists measure microplastics in rivers is essential for understanding the real scope of contamination in European freshwater supplies.
Methodological similarities and discrepancies among studies on microplastics in South American continental aquatic environments
Researchers conducted a systematic review of 57 studies on microplastic pollution in South American continental aquatic environments, identifying significant methodological discrepancies in sampling, detection limits, and sample preparation that limit cross-study comparability and proposing standardization approaches.
Microplastics in Asian rivers: Geographical distribution, most detected types, and inconsistency in methodologies
A systematic review of 228 studies on microplastics in Asian rivers found polyethylene, polypropylene, and PET as the dominant polymers, primarily as fibers and fragments, with research concentrated in China and Japan. The diversity of sampling methods and reporting metrics across studies complicates comparative analysis, underscoring the need for standardized analytical frameworks in the region.
Microplastics in Brazilian rivers: An overview and a study of floating particle accumulation on the coast of Santa Catarina state
This review of 35 studies found widespread microplastic contamination across Brazilian rivers, with polyethylene and polypropylene fibers being the most common types. Mathematical modeling of floating particle dispersion along the Santa Catarina coast revealed specific accumulation zones, highlighting how river-borne microplastics concentrate in coastal areas where people live and fish.
Microplastics as contaminants in the Brazilian environment: an updated review
A comprehensive review of 79 Brazilian microplastic studies published between 2018 and 2022 found microplastics widespread across marine and terrestrial environments, with marine coastal studies dominating the literature and polyethylene and polypropylene fragments being the most common types detected. The review highlights significant gaps in inland and atmospheric monitoring and a lack of standardized methods that hinders cross-study comparisons — critical issues for a country with one of the world's longest coastlines and major river systems.
A systematic review on the presence of microplastics in drinking water in South American countries with a special emphasis on health risk assessment
This systematic review examines microplastic contamination in drinking water across South American countries. The findings show wide variation in contamination levels and highlight that current health risk assessments for microplastics in drinking water are still limited, though the presence of these particles in tap water raises ongoing concerns about long-term human exposure.
Microplastics pollution in selected rivers from Southeast Asia
Researchers surveyed microplastic pollution in rivers across Southeast Asia, a region with high plastic waste discharge but limited monitoring data, documenting the distribution and characteristics of microplastics in these understudied waterways.
Study of a stream in Argentina with a high concentration of microplastics: Preliminary analysis of the methodology
This study assessed microplastic concentrations in a stream in Argentina's Pampas region that receives urban wastewater, finding relatively high levels and developing optimal analysis protocols for local conditions. As one of the first such studies in Argentina, the findings highlight that microplastic contamination of freshwater is a global problem reaching South American rivers.
Prevalence of microplastics in the ocean in Latin America and the Caribbean
This review assessed microplastic prevalence in ocean waters across Latin America and the Caribbean, finding that mismanaged waste and wastewater are critical pollution sources, while highlighting the need for more research on effects on local biota and human health.
Microplastic pollution in the Amazon Basin: Current scenario, advances and perspectives
Researchers reviewed all available studies on microplastic pollution in the Amazon Basin and found that contamination is widespread despite limited research, with only four of the nine basin countries having published data. Microplastic levels in some Amazon waterways were comparable to heavily industrialized regions like China's Yellow River, with poor sanitation infrastructure and extensive river networks acting as key factors. The study highlights major gaps in monitoring across large portions of the Amazon and calls for coordinated regional research efforts.
Microplastic abundance, distribution, and diversity in water and sediments along a subtropical river system
Researchers investigated microplastic abundance in water and sediments along a subtropical river system in South Africa, finding widespread contamination with fibers as the dominant shape and polyethylene as the most common polymer type.
Management and research on plastic debris in Uruguayan Aquatic Systems: update and perspectives
This review summarizes research on plastic debris in Uruguay's rivers, estuaries, and coastal waters, identifying knowledge gaps and calling for improved waste management and public awareness. It documents that plastic pollution affects both freshwater and marine ecosystems in the region and highlights the need for coordinated South American research and policy responses.
Cuantificación de la presencia de microplásticos en la cuenca alta del río Guayllabamba
This study quantified microplastics in the upper basin of the Guayllabamba River in Ecuador, finding contamination at multiple sites. The results add to evidence that South American rivers far from major industrial centers are already contaminated with microplastics, which eventually flow toward coastal and marine environments.
Microplastics in Latin America and the Caribbean: A review on current status and perspectives
This review assessed the current status of microplastic research across Latin America and the Caribbean, covering occurrence in water, sediments, and soil, as well as effects on aquatic and terrestrial organisms, and identifying key knowledge gaps in the region.
Quantification and composition analysis of plastic pollution in riverine beaches of the lower Paraná River, Argentina
Researchers found macro-, meso-, and microplastics along riverbanks near Rosario city on the lower Paraná River in Argentina, with single-use items being dominant. The study highlights that South American freshwater rivers are important conduits for plastic pollution entering the ocean.
Microplastics in Latin America Ecosystems: A Critical Review of the Current Stage and Research Needs
This systematic review of 196 studies reveals that Latin America, which consumes 8% of the world's plastic but recycles only 4.5%, has significant gaps in microplastic contamination data. Understanding the distribution of microplastics in Latin American ecosystems is critical for assessing potential health risks to the region's populations.
Microplastics in the riverine environment: Meta-analysis and quality criteria for developing robust field sampling procedures
This meta-analysis reviews how microplastics are sampled in rivers and finds that current methods are inconsistent, making it hard to compare results across studies. Better standardized sampling approaches are needed to accurately measure how much microplastic pollution flows through rivers that supply drinking water to communities.
Microplastic pollution in African countries’ water systems: a review on findings, applied methods, characteristics, impacts, and managements
This review synthesizes findings on microplastic pollution in water systems across African countries, highlighting methodological approaches, particle characteristics, sources, and impacts, while noting the limited but growing body of African microplastic research.
Microplastics in tropical Andean rivers: A perspective from a highly populated Ecuadorian basin without wastewater treatment
Researchers measured microplastic concentrations in a highly populated Ecuadorian river basin that lacks wastewater treatment, finding contamination throughout the system and demonstrating that rivers in low-income tropical countries with poor infrastructure are major conduits for microplastics.
A systematic review of microplastic pollution in rivers across Asia
This systematic review found that microplastic pollution is widespread across Asian rivers, with fibers and fragments from synthetic textiles and packaging being the most common types. Since these rivers provide drinking water and sustain fisheries for billions of people, the contamination represents a significant pathway for human microplastic exposure across the most populated continent.
Distribution, sources and consequences of nutrients, persistent organic pollutants, metals and microplastics in South American estuaries
Researchers reviewed the distribution, sources, and environmental consequences of nutrients, persistent organic pollutants, metals, and microplastics in South American estuaries. The study found that inadequate sanitation infrastructure and uncontrolled coastal development are major pollution drivers across the continent, and that microplastics add a relatively understudied dimension to the cumulative contamination burden in these ecosystems.