Microplastics (MPs) were assessed in water and sediment samples along the Salado Estuary, an estuarine system composed of a complex river drainage network in Guayas, Ecuador. MPs were quantified and categorized according to shape, size, and composition. Pellet morphology (237,490 MP/L) and transparent color MPs (252,990 MP/L) were the most common in water, while fragments (27,330 MP/m3) and silver color MPs (25,310 MP/kg) were the most common in solid samples (river sediments, mangrove mud, and sand). MPs made of Polycarbonate, Polyestyrene, and Polypropylene were the most common in all samples. Giving MPs characteristics, likely mapped sources were wastewater from Guayaquil and surrounding towns, boats, and shrimp farms. The samples with the highest MPs were found near Guayaquil, and those with the least were found in the estuary mouth. Monitoring and managing plastic disposal in estuaries are fundamental, as we report a small part of an undocumented issue here.

中文翻译：

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厄瓜多尔瓜亚基尔湾塑料微粒的出现和分布


在萨拉多河口沿岸的水和沉积物样本中评估了微塑料 （MP），萨拉多河口是一个由厄瓜多尔瓜亚斯复杂的河流排水网络组成的河口系统。根据形状、大小和成分对 MP 进行量化和分类。颗粒形态 （237,490 MP/L） 和透明色 MP （252,990 MP/L） 在水中最常见，而碎片 （27,330 MP/m3） 和银色 MP （25,310 MP/kg） 在固体样品（河流沉积物、红树林泥浆和沙子）中最常见。由聚碳酸酯、聚苯乙烯和聚丙烯制成的 MP 在所有样品中最常见。根据议员的特征，可能绘制的来源是来自瓜亚基尔和周边城镇、船只和养虾场的废水。MP 最高的样本在瓜亚基尔附近发现，而 MP 最少的样本在河口发现。监测和管理河口的塑料处理至关重要，因为我们在这里报告了一小部分未记录的问题。