Microplastics in the water and sediments from the estuary of the Amazon River (AmazonMicroplast)

• Grant number: 21/08565-3
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: April 01, 2022
• End date: September 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Décio Luis Semensatto Junior
• Grantee: Décio Luis Semensatto Junior
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas (ICAQF). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Diadema. Diadema , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: Diadema
• Associated researchers: Cristiano Mazur Chiessi ; Dailson Jose Bertassoli Junior ; Fabiano do Nascimento Pupim ; Geórgia Christina Labuto Araújo ; Lucas Pereira Mendes da Silva ; Maria João Seixas de Melo ; Vanessa Otero Matias

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging pollutants found in all types of environments. The presence of MPs in continental aquatic environments has been reported only in the last ten years in the scientific literature, exponentially growing over the previous five years. In Brazil, there are still few studies published for these environments, mainly in water and sediment. Although the Amazon River has a significant capacity for self-purification due to its size and hydrological characteristics, a study in the North Equatorial Current pointed out that the highest concentration of some plastic additives is precisely in the region of the Amazon plume in the North Atlantic. This project will act on the frontier of knowledge in the area, addressing the presence of MPs in the low estuary of the Amazon River and the role of such MPs as vectors of metals in aquatic environments, with the following objectives: (i) detecting the presence of MPs in the low estuary of the Amazon River, characterizing them according to their physical and chemical properties; (ii) estimate the amount of MPs in the water column and sediments in two different seasonal periods, checking for possible spatial and temporal differences; (iii) relate the results of this project with hydrodynamic data to be obtained in partner research projects; (iv) evaluate the role of those MPs as metal environmental vectors. The project will analyze 52 water samples (12 from surface and 40 at different depth levels) and 12 sediment samples, collected in December/21 and July/22 during the low tide in the North Canal and South Canal, vicinity of Macapá (AP). Partner projects financed by Fapesp will carry out samplings. The processing and analysis of samples will follow the literature methods performed with quality control protocols. The results may expand the understanding of the relationship between large river systems and the ocean in terms of MP pollution and serve as a reference for carrying out studies on the distribution and dispersion of MPs in fluvial systems. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

SEMENSATTO, DECIO; LABUTO, GEORGIA; GEROLIN, CRISTIANO R.. The importance of integrating morphological attributes of microplastics: a theoretical discussion to assess environmental impacts. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, v. N/A, p. 6-pg., 2022-12-08. (21/08565-3)

PASSOS, CAMILA C.; LABUTO, GEORGIA; SEMENSATTO, DECIO. Use of concentrated detergent to optimize the analysis of microplastics in water samples with chitinous zooplankton fragments. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT, v. 197, n. 6, p. 8-pg., 2025-05-29. (21/08565-3)

SEMENSATTO, DECIO; PASSOS, CAMILA C.; BICALHO, CAMILLA S.; MENDES-SILVA, LUCAS P.; LABUTO, GEORGIA. Methodological similarities and discrepancies among studies on microplastics in South American continental aquatic environments. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências, v. 97, p. 26-pg., 2025-01-01. (24/07312-2, 21/08565-3)