Microplastics transport in a low-inflow estuary at the entrance of the Gulf of California

Jose Gilberto Cardoso-Mohedano; Ana Carolina Ruiz-Fernández; Joan-Albert Sanchez-Cabeza; Sonia Margarita Camacho-Torres; Jorge Feliciano Ontiveros-Cuadras

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161825

Microplastics transport in a low-inflow estuary at the entrance of the Gulf of California

Sci Total Environ. 2023 Apr 20:870:161825. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161825. Epub 2023 Jan 27.

Authors

Jose Gilberto Cardoso-Mohedano¹, Ana Carolina Ruiz-Fernández², Joan-Albert Sanchez-Cabeza², Sonia Margarita Camacho-Torres³, Jorge Feliciano Ontiveros-Cuadras⁴

Affiliations

¹ Estación el Carmen, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Carretera Carmen-Puerto Real km. 9.5, 24157 Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche, Mexico. Electronic address: gcardoso@cmarl.unam.mx.
² Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Unidad Académica Mazatlán, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Calz. Joel Montes Camarena s/n, 82040 Mazatlán, Mexico.
³ Instituto Tecnológico del Mar, Corsario I 203, Urías 82070, Mazatlán, Mexico.
⁴ Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Unidad Académica Procesos Oceánicos y Costeros, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Ciudad Universitaria, 04510 Ciudad de México, Mexico.

PMID: 36716892
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161825

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) are recognized as a global emergent pollution impact, which can affect all food chains. Estimating MPs transport pathways in coastal ecosystems is needed to assess their likely effects. Here, we studied MPs accumulation and transport pathways in the Estero de Urias lagoon system (low-inflow estuary) using field data and a 3D particle model. Field results showed that the MPs present similar abundances throughout the study area during the dry and rainy seasons. Model simulations indicated that i) morphology and tidal currents caused the MPs discharged in the lagoon to remain inside, and ii) wind-induced currents caused the MPs in the coastal area to be transported to the southwest. These transport processes may be responsible for homogenizing MPs concentrations through the studied area. In addition, model simulations suggested that EUL-dense waters can export MPs from the coastal area to the sea bottom.

Keywords: 3D particle model; Coastal ecosystems; Microplastics; Sewage treatment plant; Transport pathways.