Contaminación por microplásticos en playas del Pacífico de Guatemala: abundancia y características / Microplastics pollution in Pacific beaches of Guatemala: abundance and characteristics

La contaminación por microplásticos (MPs) de tamaño menor a 5 mm ha tomado relevancia en los últimos años debido a su impacto en los ecosistemas. En Guatemala, se carece de información relacionada con MPs, por lo que este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar la abundancia y características de MPs en cuatro playas del Pacífico de Guatemala, Ocós, Tulate, Sipacate y Las Lisas. Se colectaron muestras de arena en mayo y octubre de 2019. Los MPs se aislaron y se clasificaron por forma, y el tipo de polímero se identificó a través de un equipo de espectroscopia infrarroja con transformada de Fourier (ATR-FTIR). La abundancia expresada en MPs/m2 en mayo fue de 25.6, 5.6, 0.8 y 0 MPs/m2 para Tulate, Las Lisas, Ocós y Sipacate; mientras que en octubre fue de 59.6, 23.2, 17.6 y 17.6 MPs/m2 en Tulate, Ocós, Las Lisas y Sipacate. Fragmentos, foam, pellets y láminas fueron las formas predominantes de MPs que se encontraron en las playas. El análisis por ATR-FTIR muestra que los principales polímeros identificados en las playas son polietileno, poliestireno y polipropileno. Los resultados de este estudio indican que las playas del Pacífico de Guatemala están contaminadas por MPs de diferentes tipos de polímeros. Además, estos resultados ofrecen información importante a los responsables de la toma de decisiones sobre la eliminación y el manejo de la basura plástica marina.

Microplastics < 5 mm (MPs) pollution has gained relevance in the last years because of its impact on the ecosystems. In Guatemala, information related to MPS as an environmental stressor is lacking, that is why this study aimed to assess the abundance and characteristics of MPS in four beaches to the Pacific Ocean of Guatemala, Ocós, Tulate, Sipacate, and Las Lisas. Sand samples were collected in May and October 2019. MPs were isolated and classified by shape and the type of polymer was identified by using Attenuated Total Reflec-tion-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). The abundance expressed in MPs/m2 in May was 25.6, 5.6, 0.8 and 0 MPs/m2 in Tulate, Las Lisas, Ocós, and Sipacate; whereas in October was 59.6, 23.2, 17.6, and 17.6 M Ps /m2 in Tulate, Las Lisas, Ocós and Sipacate. Fragments, foam, pellets, and film were the predominant shapes found on the beaches. The ATR-FTIR analysis indicates that the main polymers identified in the beaches are polyethylene, polystyrene, and polypropylene. The results of this study indicate that the Pacific Beaches of Guatemala are contaminated by MPs of different types of polymers. These results offer important information to decision makers about disposal and management of marine plastic litter.

First evidence of microplastic pollution in the El Quetzalito sand beach of the Guatemalan Caribbean.

In Guatemala, assessment of the impacts of microplastic pollution in marine and coastal protected areas has not yet been carried out. Therefore, the main goal of this paper was to evaluate the abundance, composition, physical forms, and the possible sources of plastic debris in the El Quetzalito Beach. The area was intended for biodiversity conservation but has been excessively contaminated by plastic materials from land-based activities. The results state that plastic debris negatively impact the Caribbean coast of Guatemala and are released by storm water and riverine transport from the Motagua River. With a high abundance of 279 items/m2 (30 items/kg d.w.), composed mainly of polystyrene foam beads (66.8%) and polypropylene fragments (25.8%), the microplastic sources are the deterioration of large plastics. As these plastics are commonly used in industrial, commercial, fishing, and household activities, these findings reinforce the need to improve effective sustainable management actions of solid waste treatment and disposal in the Guatemalan cities.