The Discovery of Microplastics in the Amazon
On June 20, a team of 50 members led by the NGO Asas de Socorro and Rede Reviva covered about 1.5 kilometers along the shore of Lake Puraquequara, in Manaus, during a trash collection action. At the end of the activity, which covered a beach extension in a lake with a surface area of approximately 20-25 km², the group had collected a container full of plastic waste. A similar action in June 2023 had collected two containers.
This experience helped to illustrate the results of Eletuza Uchôa Farias' master's research: half of the fish collected in the lake, from two species of jaraqui (Semaprochilodus insignis and Semaprochilodus taeniurus), had ingested microplastics. Once inside an organism, the particles can remain in the intestinal tract, reach other tissues and organs, and move through the food chain — from the base to predator fish — potentially ending up in humans.
Why This Matters
The jaraqui is the most consumed fish in the state of Amazonas. All the particles found in the intestines of the fish were fibers: elongated filaments of 0.5 to 4.37 millimeters in diameter. Most of them — 85.7% — were identified as polyamide, a polymer widely used by the textile industry due to its strength and flexibility.
The surroundings of Puraquequara are home to communities without effective basic sanitation. The water from sinks, tanks, and washing machines is discarded directly into bodies of water, which may explain the presence of polyamide that reaches the jaraquis — which, in turn, end up on the plates of Amazonian residents.
The Mechanism Behind Microplastic Contamination
Microplastic contamination is a complex problem that involves the interaction of several factors, including the lack of basic sanitation infrastructure, the production and consumption of plastics, and the dynamics of aquatic ecosystems. Microplastics can be transported by water currents, winds, and human activities, and can accumulate in sediments, soil, and organisms.
The presence of microplastics in fish and other aquatic organisms is an indicator of plastic contamination in aquatic ecosystems. The ingestion of microplastics can have negative effects on the health of organisms, including the obstruction of digestive tracts, the alteration of physiological processes, and the transfer of toxic chemicals.
Broader Context
Microplastic contamination is not a problem exclusive to the Amazon. Studies have shown that microplastics are present in aquatic ecosystems around the world, from rivers and lakes to oceans and mangroves.
Microplastic contamination is a problem that requires an integrated approach, involving the reduction of plastic production and consumption, the improvement of basic sanitation infrastructure, and the protection of aquatic ecosystems.
What Happens Next
The discovery of microplastics in Puraquequara and other Amazonian aquatic ecosystems highlights the need for urgent actions to reduce plastic contamination and protect human and environmental health.
It is essential that governments, companies, and civil society work together to develop and implement effective solutions to reduce plastic production and consumption, improve basic sanitation infrastructure, and promote education and awareness about the importance of environmental protection.
Consequences and Challenges
Microplastic contamination is a complex and multifaceted problem that requires an integrated and sustainable approach. It is essential that effective policies and practices are developed and implemented to reduce plastic production and consumption, improve basic sanitation infrastructure, and promote education and awareness about the importance of environmental protection.
Additionally, it is essential that further studies and research are conducted to better understand the effects of microplastic contamination on human and environmental health, and to develop effective solutions to mitigate these effects.
Source / Reference
Original URL: https://news.mongabay.com/2026/07/from-rivers-to-mangroves-microplastics-are-contaminating-the-amazon/
Source Name: Mongabay