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

• Published in: The Science of the total environment Vol. 733; p. 139385
• Main Authors: Alfonso, María Belén, Scordo, Facundo, Seitz, Carina, Mavo Manstretta, Gian Marco, Ronda, Ana Carolina, Arias, Andrés Hugo, Tomba, Juan Pablo, Silva, Leonel Ignacio, Perillo, Gerardo Miguel Eduardo, Piccolo, María Cintia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.09.2020
• Subjects: Lakes; Microplastics; Patagonian region; Pollution; Lakes; Pollution; Microplastics; Patagonian region
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139385

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−3, 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. [Display omitted] •Dominant microplastics were blue fibers with a size between 0.2 and <0.4 mm.•The mean concentration was 0.9 MPs m−3.•Patagonian lakes showed low MPs pollution when compared to lakes worldwide.•Fibers runoff or airborne deposition from urban settlements was the primary sources.•Raman identification yielded spectra compatible with Indigo Blue, PET, PU, PS and PP.