Ocorrência e caracterização de microplásticos na avaliação de parâmetros governantes na dinâmica no estuário do Rio Pacoti, Ceará

Abstract

The culture of using plastics has revolutionized production standards, thanks to its malleability, strength, and lightness. However, the growing indiscriminate use of plastics, combined with their poor disposal, has generated serious environmental problems, highlighting the worrying issue of microplastics and their negative impact on the ecosystem and local biodiversity. Water bodies, especially estuaries, are considered the main sources of hydrocarbons for microplastics, due to the slow flow of water and the presence of aquatic vegetation that facilitates the retention of these particles. In this context, the present work aimed to investigate the incidence and distribution of microplastics in the Pacoti River estuary, located in the municipality of Fortaleza, Ceará, to understand the dynamics of this specific environment. To achieve this objective, sediment collections were carried out at 9 different points along the estuary. The samples were duly processed, observing the digestion analysis of the organic matter, and later investigated using microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), granulometry, and chemometric techniques. During an analysis, plastic film particles were identified, with a significant dominance of yellow and white colors being observed. The most detected polymers were PE, PS and PP. Furthermore, a change was noted between the presence of organic matter and the preferential deposition of fine sediment extraction. It is expected that the results of this research will contribute to knowledge about the presence of microplastics in the Pacoti River estuary, allowing a better understanding of the interaction of these materials with the environment. In addition, such information is of extreme protection for the development of effective strategies for environmental management and preservation, aiming to mitigate the secondary effects of microplastic flow.