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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Microplastic contamination in bathing areas in the Central Amazon, Itacoatiara, Brazil
ClearFirst assessment of microplastic and artificial microfiber contamination in surface waters of the Amazon Continental Shelf
Researchers characterized microplastics in surface water of the Amazon Continental Shelf for the first time, finding particles at all 57 sampling sites with higher concentrations during the rainy season. Polyamide, polyurethane, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene were the most common polymer types, and concentrations were highest near river mouths and coastal cities.
Microplastics in the Amazon biome: State of the art and future priorities
This review examines microplastic pollution in the Amazon region and finds contamination levels comparable to heavily polluted areas worldwide. Poor sanitation is a major source, with fibers being the most common particle type found in water, sediment, and wildlife. Despite the Amazon's global ecological importance, research on microplastics there has been very limited, and the authors call for urgent expansion of scientific monitoring.
Microplastic distribution and risk assessment in estuarine systems influenced by traditional villages and artisanal fishery activities
Researchers mapped microplastic pollution in estuaries along the Amazon coast and found that areas with more people and fishing activity had the highest concentrations. Most of the microplastics were tiny fibers, likely from synthetic clothing and fishing gear. While risk levels were currently rated low, the study shows that even remote coastal communities are contributing to microplastic buildup in sensitive ecosystems.
Widespread microplastics distribution at an Amazon macrotidal sandy beach
Researchers found widespread microplastic contamination at a macrotidal sandy beach on the Amazon coast of Brazil, detecting an average of 492.5 particles per square meter with fibers dominating across three depth strata down to 60 cm.
Microplastics in Freshwater River in Rio de Janeiro and Its Role as a Source of Microplastic Pollution in Guanabara Bay, SE Brazil
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.
First evidence of microplastics in freshwater from fish farms in Rondônia state, Brazil
Microplastic contamination was confirmed in freshwater from 9 of 35 fish farms in the Brazilian Amazon, predominantly as blue fibers. Rainy season abundance was nearly five times higher than dry season (286 vs. 58 items/mL of blue fibers), suggesting surface runoff from urban and agricultural areas as the primary contamination pathway.
Microplastics in sediments from Amazon rivers, Brazil
Microplastics were detected in river sediments throughout the Amazon Basin near Manaus, Brazil, at concentrations up to 8,178 particles per kilogram of dry sediment, with the highest levels near shallow, slow-moving sections of the Negro River adjacent to the city. This is the first documentation of widespread microplastic contamination in the Amazon river system.
Large-scale monitoring and risk assessment of microplastics in the Amazon River
Researchers conducted the largest microplastic monitoring study in the Amazon River, sampling 40 sites across 1,500 kilometers. Microplastics were found everywhere, with urban streams near cities showing concentrations up to 1,000 times higher than the main river. This study confirms that even remote freshwater ecosystems like the Amazon are contaminated with microplastics, which could affect the fish and water that local communities depend on.
Microplastics Identification in an Environmental Reserve Area of Ilha de Itamaracá - PE
Researchers identified and characterized microplastics in water, sediment, and biota from an environmental reserve area in Brazil, documenting contamination by particles originating from both fragmentation of larger plastic items and primary microplastics, showing that even protected coastal areas are not free of MP pollution.
Habitat Integrity and Microplastic Contamination in Amazonian Streams: Assessment of Water, Sediment, and Fish and Identification of Predominant Polymers
Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in Amazonian streams by sampling water, sediment, and fish, and characterised predominant polymer types, finding that contamination was widespread across all environmental compartments regardless of habitat integrity, suggesting that even well-preserved stream habitats are not protected from microplastic pollution.
Microplastics in distal sediments from the mouth of the Amazon River
Researchers conducted a preliminary assessment of microplastic distribution in distal marine sediments near the mouth of the Amazon River, examining how the Amazon plume — a major source of plastic additives in the tropical North Atlantic — contributes to regional microplastic deposition patterns.
Benthic macroinvertebrates and microplastic contamination in contrasting water quality environments of the Middle Tietê River basin (São Paulo, Brazil)
Researchers compared microplastic contamination in benthic invertebrates and sediments between a heavily polluted urban river and a cleaner tributary in São Paulo, Brazil. Higher microplastic concentrations were found near urban areas, confirming that human activity drives plastic accumulation in freshwater ecosystems.
Preliminary Assessment of Plastic Litter and Microplastic Contamination in Freshwater Depositional Areas: The Case Study of Puerto Misahualli, Ecuadorian Amazonia
Researchers conducted a preliminary assessment of plastic litter and microplastics in sediments at a riverine depositional area in the Ecuadorian Amazon, finding low-density polyethylene bags as the dominant macroplastic and documenting microplastic presence in an upper Amazon basin location.
Microplastics in distal sediments from the mouth of the Amazon River
Researchers conducted a preliminary assessment of microplastic distribution in distal sediments from the mouth of the Amazon River, motivated by prior evidence that the Amazon plume is the largest source of organic plastic additives in the tropical North Atlantic region.
Microplastic contamination in the freshwater shrimp Macrobrachium amazonicum in Itacoatiara, Amazonas, Brazil
Researchers found widespread microplastic contamination in the Amazon freshwater shrimp Macrobrachium amazonicum, detecting 2,597 particles across 600 specimens with significantly higher contamination at urban sampling sites compared to rural areas in Itacoatiara, Brazil.
Microplastics in fishes in amazon riverine beaches: Influence of feeding mode and distance to urban settlements
Researchers found microplastics in the digestive tracts of 29 fish species from Amazon riverine beaches, with contamination levels influenced by fish feeding mode and distance to urban settlements within a protected area.
Microplastics and microfibers in the Guajará Bay, Amazon delta: Potential sources and variability
This study assessed microplastic and microfiber distribution in Guajará Bay at the mouth of the Amazon delta, finding concentrations ranging widely but clustering near the urbanized bank of the bay. Most particles were anthropogenic cellulose fibers, with PET and polyamide as the dominant synthetic polymers, and levels were highest close to the city of Belém. The Amazon's enormous flow to the Atlantic makes understanding plastic sources and transport here critical for estimating global ocean microplastic inputs.
Microplastics in water from the confluence of tropical rivers: Overall review and a case study in Paraiba do Sul River basin
Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination at river confluences in the Paraiba do Sul River basin, Brazil's most important southeastern watershed serving millions of people. They found microplastics throughout the river system, with higher concentrations near industrial and densely populated areas. Since this river basin supplies drinking water and supports agriculture for a large population, the contamination raises direct concerns about human microplastic exposure.
Microplastics contamination and toxicity in a coastal marine protected area
This study examined microplastic contamination and toxicity in a Brazilian coastal marine protected area, finding plastic particles accumulating on beaches and posing risks to filter-feeding organisms and marine food webs. Even protected coastal areas are not shielded from microplastic pollution.
Comprehensive risk assessment of microplastics in tidal channel sediments in amazonian mangroves (northern Brazil)
Researchers assessed microplastic pollution in mangrove sediments along an estuary in the Brazilian Amazon, finding contamination at all nine sampling sites with an average of 433 particles per kilogram. While the contamination was classified as low-level, the presence of microplastics in this remote Amazonian ecosystem shows the global reach of plastic pollution. Mangroves are critical nursery habitats for fish and shellfish, so contamination here could affect seafood safety for local communities.
Microplastic pollution in Brazil's coastal marine surface waters: The first macroregional baseline from the global south
Researchers conducted the largest microplastic survey in the Global South, sampling 4,134 surface water sites across 7,500 km of Brazilian coastline, finding the highest concentrations in the Eastern Coastline (16.87 MPs/L) and lowest in the Amazonian Equatorial region (1.29 MPs/L), with spatial patterns driven by hydrodynamic conditions, salinity, proximity to sewage, and anthropogenic inputs.
Microplastics in plant-based foods in the city of Itacoatiara (AM), Brazil
Researchers examined microplastic contamination in lettuce, chives, and cilantro sold in Itacoatiara, a city in the Central Amazon region of Brazil. A total of 247 microplastic particles were found across samples, with fibers making up over 95% and blue-colored particles being most prevalent, confirming that vegetables available to consumers in this region carry measurable microplastic contamination.
Linking the Tourism Activity to the Occurrence and Distribution of Microplastics
Researchers assessed microplastic abundance, type, and spatial distribution in coastal water, sediments, and fish across three zones of Gili Trawangan, Indonesia, finding that tourism-related activities concentrated microplastics at recreational beaches with concentrations reaching 19.25 particles/L.
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.