Evaluación de microplásticos en sedimento del Río Milagro - Zona Centro

Abstract

Microplastics have emerged as a significant concern due to their constant breakdown and unregulated production. Most studies have focused on the oceans, where their harmful effects have been confirmed. There is now growing recognition that rivers could play a significant role as sources of microplastics. Although there are few global studies on rivers, they pose challenges due to the unique characteristics of the particles, such as their size, color, and quantity. For this reason, the purpose of the study is to identify the presence, quantity, and degree of microplastic contamination in the Milagro River, located in the town of the same name. The vacuum filtration method was used to extract microplastics from sediment samples. Through the use of a stereoscopic microscope, it was found that certain areas, such as point 2 near the Retirement Park, had a higher quantity of microplastics, reaching 117 particles per kilogram of sediment. Additionally, it was observed that the predominant color of the microplastics was white. These findings underscore the importance of investigating and addressing microplastic pollution in rivers.