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First evidence of microplastics in nine lakes across Patagonia (South America).

Authors :: Alfonso MB
Scordo F
Seitz C
Mavo Manstretta GM
Ronda AC
Arias AH
Tomba JP
Silva LI
Perillo GME
Piccolo MC
Source :: The Science of the total environment [Sci Total Environ] 2020 Sep 01; Vol. 733, pp. 139385. Date of Electronic Publication: 2020 May 13.
Publication Year :: 2020
Abstract: Microplastics (MPs) on lakes have been reported mainly from Europe, Asia, and North America. Then, this study aimed to address the quantification and identification of MPs in nine lakes from the Argentine Patagonian Region. Blue colored fibers were dominant, with a size range between 0.2 and <0.4 mm. The mean MPs concentration was 0.9 ± 0.6 MPs m <superscript>-3</superscript> , suggesting a low pollution state when compared to other worldwide lakes. Raman microscopy analysis showed a predominance of Indigo Blue Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) particles. The upper-gradient runoff from urban settlements, textiles, and fisheries were identified as the main MPs sources and levels positively correlated with the higher area, shallower depth, and with an end-position in the watershed. These findings fill a gap in the geographical distribution knowledge, setting a baseline that emphasizes the need for better treatment of urban and fisheries wastes in continental lakes.<br />Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.<br /> (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)