Advancing plastic pollution hotspotting at the subnational level: Brazil as a case study in the Global South

Author(s):Show less -

Alencar, Melanie Vianna ; Gimenez, Bianca Gabani ; Sasahara, Camila ; Elliff, Carla Isobel ; Velis, Costas A. ; Rodrigues, Leticia Stevanato ; Conti, Luis Americo ; Goncalves-Dias, Sylmara Lopes Francelino ; Cetrulo, Tiago Balieiro ; Scrich, Vitoria Milanez ; Turra, Alexander

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Marine Pollution Bulletin; v. 194, p. 14-pg., 2023-09-01.

Abstract

Identifying sources is crucial for proposing effective actions to combat marine litter pollution. Here, we used an innovative approach to identify hotspots of mismanaged plastic waste (MPW) within Brazil and subsequent leakage to the ocean, based on population density, socio-economic conditions, municipal solid waste management and environmental parameters. We estimated plastic waste generation and MPW for each of the 5570 Brazilian municipalities, which totaled 3.44 million metric tons per year. Then, we estimated the probability of litter mobilization and transport (P) and the relative risk of leakage to the ocean (MPW x P). The Guanabara Bay and La Plata River comprised the main oceanic entry hotspots of litter produced in Brazil. The use of national databases allowed us to increase spatial and temporal granularity, offering a detailed baseline for the application of prevention and mitigation actions. However, overcoming data limitations is still a challenge in Brazil as in other Global South countries. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 19/14093-7 - Improving the Source-to-Sea approach for marine litter in Brazil
• Grantee: Melanie Vianna Alencar
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master