EVALUATION OF THE PRESENCE OF MICROPLASTICS IN BEACHES OF LA PLATA RIVER BASIN: BUENOS AIRES CAPITAL CITY AND SURROUNDINGS.

Abstract

Due to their low cost and wide use, plastics are nowadays an unavoidable consumable. The effects microplastics have on the environment is a recent field of research in Argentina. Two campaigns for studying microplastics presence in La Plata River (Buenos Aires, Argentina) coastal sediments were managed during winter and spring 2019: beaches in Buenos Aires Capital City and surroundings (AMBA) were selected, sampled and characterized. Presence of microplastics were confirmed, classified, and characterized according to their morphology and color. Microplastics were separated by flotation techniques and visually identified by microscopy observation. The winter campaign reported more microplastic items (a total of 464 over 280 of the spring campaign) with fibers and microbeads being the most representative. Although this is a preliminary work, microplastic found are consistent with economic activities of the studied area and hydrogeological dynamics of La Plata River basin. Monitoring should continue to elaborate an environmental base line, elucidate microplastics origin and fate, and implement control actions.