Rivers as sources of microplastics toward the sea: the case of the Chubut River estuary

HERNÁNDEZ MORESINO RODRIGO; GIARRATANO ERICA

Sesiones virtuales

Jornada; One Integrated Marine Debris Observing System for a Clean Ocean; 2021

GEO Blue Planet European

The Chubut River is the main source of freshwater in Chubut Province (Patagonia, Argentina), with significant importance for the local economy mainly related to agricultural and textile activities, pouring different kinds of wastes and pollutants that finally ends in the Atlantic Ocean. This work aims to assess microplastic concentration in water and sediment in seven stations along the estuary. Separation of microplastics was done on filtering superficial and depth water and in sediments by flotation with hypersaline solution plus supernatant filtering. An average of 200 MP/sediment and 7000/m3 water (85% fibers) emphasize the need for rational use of the river.