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

ALFONSO, M. B; SCORDO, F.; SEITZ, C.; MAVO MANSTRETTA, G. M.; RONDA, A.C.; ARIAS, H. A.; TOMBA, J. P.; SILVA, L.I.; PERILLO, G. M. E.; PICCOLO, M. C.

THE SCIENCE OF TOTAL ENVIRONMENT

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Lugar: New York; Año: 2020

0048-9697

Microplastics (MPs) on lakes have been reported mainly fromEurope, Asia, and North America. Then, this study aimed to address thequantification and identification of MPs in nine lakes from the ArgentinePatagonian Region. Blue colored fibers were dominant, with a size rangebetween 0.2 and < 0.4 mm. The mean MPs concentration was 0.9 ± 0.6 MPs m-3, suggesting a low pollution state when compared to other worldwidelakes. Raman microscopy analysis showed a predominance of Indigo BluePolyethylene terephthalate (PET) particles. The upper-gradient runofffrom urban settlements, textiles, and fisheries were identified as themain MPs sources and levels positively correlated with the higher area,shallower depth, and with an end-position in the watershed. Thesefindings fill a gap in the geographical distribution knowledge, setting abaseline that emphasizes the need for better treatment of urban andfisheries wastes in continental lakes.