Microplastic distribution and risk assessment in estuarine systems influenced by traditional villages and artisanal fishery activities.

ABSTRACT: Microplastics (MPs) are widespread in oceans worldwide, posing a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems. The abundance of these particles in water is related to population density and urban development, functioning as a sink for MPs. However, the pollution levels due to the accumulation of MPs in the estuarine in Amazonian mangrove areas remain unknown. Here, we show that population density and fishing activities influence the distribution of MP pollution in these waters. We found the highest abundance of MPs in the inner (1.03 items/m³) and outer (0.82 items/m³) portions of the estuary, corresponding to the areas with the highest population density and fishing activity, respectively. The main morphological characteristics of MPs are fibers (89.8%), blue color (55.2

SUBMITTER: Mendes DS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11585634 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature