Assessment of the presence of microplastics on San Vicente beach in the province of Manabí – Ecuador

Abstract

The objective of the study was to evaluate the presence of microplastics on San Vicente beach to understand the extent of plastic pollution that currently exists on the beaches. For the quantification and classification of microplastics, the variables were considered: size (> 1 mm and < 4) and color; 10 sampling transects were georeferenced, for extraction a sieve was used to eliminate unwanted particles, while for the water samples the vacuum filtration procedure was used; Finally, the colonization dynamics of microbial Biofilm was carried out in the laboratory. The results indicated the presence of microplastics with a concentration of 16.5 units/kg, with sizes of 1 mm, 2 mm, 2.36 mm and 4 mm, it was evident that the 7 units/kg of microplastics are white in color. (1 mm and 2.36 mm) and 1 unit/kg of blue and white color (2.36 mm and 4 mm). Regarding Biofilm colonization, M3 shows the highest amount with 737 CFU/ml. It is concluded that the study of microplastics on beaches is essential to study the behavior of the ecosystem.