Microplastics in the Amazon biome: State of the art and future priorities.

ABSTRACT: Microplastics (MPs) have been identified as a major potential threat to the biota and human health. Despite the exponential increase in MP research worldwide, few studies have focused on the extensive Amazon biome. To assess research priorities, the present study reviewed and summarized the available scientific knowledge on MPs in the Amazon, in addition to analyzing population and waste-management data, to evaluate potential sources of MPs in the hydrographic system. Poor sanitation conditions are a main source of MPs for the vast hydrographic basin, and, consequently, for the adjacent ocean. Secondary MPs predominated, mostly fibers (96% of debris), composed of polyamide (32%). Mean MP concentrations ranged from 0.34 to 38.3 particles.individual^-1 in biota, 5 to 476,000 partic

SUBMITTER: Morais LMS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11002258 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature