College of Natural Sciences, Rio Piedras Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan 00925, Puerto Rico.
Department of Environmental Health, Graduate School of Public Health, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, PO Box 365067, San Juan 00936-5067, Puerto Rico.
Mar Pollut Bull. 2021 Mar;164:112010. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112010. Epub 2021 Jan 20.
Caribbean islands, including Puerto Rico, are biodiversity hotspots threatened by microplastics (<5 mm). Little is known about the extent of microplastic pollution in coastal sandy beaches of Puerto Rico. Sand from six northern beaches was collected in the high tide line to determine microplastic abundance (0.3-4.75 mm). Península La Esperanza, the most polluted beach, exhibited higher average abundance (17 items/kg dw) and diversity. High urbanization, industrial/port activities, and riverine input are likely sources of plastic debris on this beach. The other beaches showed lower and similar average abundance (3 to 7 items/kg dw) despite having distinct potential point and non-point sources. Overall, fibers (40%), fragments (28%) and foams (27%) predominated (n = 102 particles). Results showed comparable levels to other world beaches, some classified as highly contaminated, but only when transforming units to items/m. Preliminary ATR-FTIR analysis identified mainly polyethylene. It is imperative to have plastics source reduction through waste management.
加勒比岛屿，包括波多黎各，是受到微塑料（<5 毫米）威胁的生物多样性热点地区。波多黎各沿海沙滩上微塑料污染的程度鲜为人知。在高潮线收集了来自六个北部海滩的沙子，以确定微塑料的丰度（0.3-4.75 毫米）。污染最严重的拉埃斯佩兰萨半岛（Península La Esperanza）显示出更高的平均丰度（17 个/千克干重）和多样性。高城市化、工业/港口活动和河流输入可能是该海滩塑料碎片的来源。其他海滩尽管有明显的点源和非点源，但平均丰度（3 至 7 个/千克干重）较低且相似。总体而言，纤维（40%）、碎片（28%）和泡沫（27%）占主导地位（n=102 个颗粒）。结果表明，与其他世界海滩的水平相当，其中一些被归类为高度污染，但只有当将单位转换为项目/米时才如此。ATR-FTIR 初步分析主要识别出聚乙烯。通过废物管理减少塑料的源头污染是当务之急。
