Resumen

Assessment of the presence of microplastics on San Vicente beach in the province of Manabí - Ecuador. RCTU [online]. 2024, vol.11, n.2, pp.36-45. ISSN 1390-7697.  https://doi.org/10.26423/rctu.v11i2.826.

The present study aimed to assess the presence of microplastics on San Vicente beach, in order to understand the magnitude of plastic pollution in this environment. For the quantification and classification of microplastics, variables such as size (<5 mm) and color were considered. Ten sampling transects were georeferenced and a sieve was used to remove unwanted particles. For water samples, a vacuum filtration procedure was applied. Additionally, the colonization dynamics of the microbial biofilm was analyzed in the laboratory. The results revealed a microplastic concentration of 16.5 units/kg. Microplastic sizes of 1 mm, 2 mm, 2.36 mm and 4 mm were identified. Of these, it was observed that 7 units/kg were white and measured 1 mm and 2.36 mm, while 1 unit/kg of blue and white were recorded with sizes of 2.36 mm and 4 mm. Regarding biofilm colonization, sand sample three showed the highest amount, with 737 CFU/ml. The findings show the presence of microplastics, which underlines the importance of addressing this environmental problem. In addition, the dynamics of microbial colonization suggest that these contaminants can influence the health of the marine ecosystem.

Palabras clave : sand; sea; colonies; size..