Large-scale monitoring and risk assessment of microplastics in the Amazon River.

Microplastics (MPs) are one of the most widespread contaminants worldwide, yet their risks for freshwater ecosystems have seldom been investigated. In this study, we performed a large monitoring campaign to assess the presence and risks of MPs in Amazonian freshwater ecosystems. We investigated MP pollution in 40 samples collected along 1500 km in the Brazilian Amazon, including the Amazon River, three major tributaries, and several streams next to the most important urban areas. MPs in the 55-5000 µm size range were characterized (size, shape, color) by microscopy and identified (polymer composition) by infrared spectroscopy. Ecotoxicological risks were assessed using chronic Species Sensitivity Distributions for effects triggered by food dilution and tissue translocation using data alignment methods that correct for polydispersity of environmental MPs and bioaccessibility. This study shows that MPs are ubiquitous contaminants in Amazonian freshwater ecosystems, with measured concentrations (55-5000 µm) ranging between 5 and 152 MPs/m in the Amazon River and its main tributaries, and between 23 and 74,550 MPs/m in urban streams. The calculated Hazardous Concentration for the 5% of species (HC) derived from the SSDs for the entire MP range (1-5000 µm) were 1.6 × 10 MPs/m (95% CI: 1.2 × 10 - 4.0 × 10) for food dilution, and 1.8 × 10 MPs/m (95% CI: 1.5 × 10 - 4.3 × 10) for translocation. Rescaled exposure concentrations (1-5000 µm) in the Amazon River and tributaries ranged between 6.0 × 10 and 1.8 × 10 MPs/m, and were significantly lower than the calculated HC values. Rescaled concentrations in urban streams ranged between 1.7 × 10 and 5.7 × 10 MPs/m, and exceeded both calculated HC values in 20% of the locations. This study shows that ecological impacts by MP contamination are not likely to happen in the Amazon River and its major tributaries. However, risks for freshwater organisms may be expected in near densely populated areas, such as the cities of Manaus or Belem, which have limited wastewater treatment facilities.