MICROPLASTICS POLLUTION: FROM CONTINENTAL SOURCES TO MARINE SYSTEMS

ALFONSO, M. B; RONDA, ANA C.; PICCOLO, M. CINTIA; ANDRES H ARIAS

Marine Environments: Diversity, Threats and Conservation

Nova Science

Lugar: New York; Año: 2020; p. 300 - 350

Microplastics are amongst thecontaminants of emerging concern for aquatic systems. These ubiquitousenvironmental contaminants began to be reported since the 1970s, withincreasing studies about their distribution and impacts from 2004. Althoughmarine microplastics research remains at the forefront, studies on freshwaterand terrestrial environments have begun to occur in this field as a matter ofpriority in recent years. This chapter addresses the influence of plasticpollution on marine environments through continental water bodies. Rivers andeffluents have been identified as significant pathways from terrestrial sourcesreleasing between 4.8 and 12.7 million metric tons of microplastics per yearthat reach the ocean. Microplastics are present in different sizes, colors,shapes and textures influencing their behavior in the environment. Also, theirinteraction with the biotic and abiotic systems influence the final fate andtransport of them. The varied hydrological characteristics (water flowvelocity, water flow seasonal variation, water depth) in lakes and riverssignificantly affect plastics transport within freshwater systems towards theocean. In estuarine environments, the combined effect of turbulence andsalinity can interact with particle density, size, and charge. Added to this,storms, floods and runoff contributes to microplastics incorporation in thewatersheds from soil and atmosphere. Therefore, the study of continentalmicroplastics sources and pathways are critical to understanding them asemerging global contaminants.