INVESTIGAÇÃO DA PRESENÇA DE MICROPLÁSTICOS NO LITORAL DA LAGUNA DOS PATOS - ARAMBARÉ-RS COMO SUBSIDIO A AÇÕES DE EDUCAÇÃO AMBIENTAL

Abstract

The annual production of plastic has been increasing considerably. The high increase can be determined by the properties of this material, such as low cost, lightness, insulation, durability, versatility. Microplastics are defined as particles of plastic material smaller than 5mm. During its execution, 9 beach sand samples were collected, at a depth of 5 cm, comprising a sample area of 0.066 m2, at three sampling points, with 3 repetitions (A, B and C) 6 m apart between repetitions, on the beaches Central, Camping and Caramuru, in the Municipality of Arambaré-RS, in the period of June 2023. The samples were identified and the geographic coordinates of each central sampling point were obtained through a location application (GPS). Afterwards, the samples were weighed to determine the mass, and dried in an oven at 60°C for 48 hours. After drying, they were submitted to dry sieving, in sieves of 2.38 mm; 2 mm; 0.707 mm; 0.177mm. The material passing through the sieves was evaluated for visual separation of plastic fragments, being subjected to a sucrose solution of 67.9% according to methodology adapted from Pappis; Kapusta & Ojeda (2021). The microplastic fragments were identified. Data were analyzed and converted to mean values per sample and number of particles per m2. 13.60 parts were found. m² at Praia do Camping, close to the bridge (Point 1); 11.90 part. m², at Praia do Caramuru (Point 2) and 15.09 part. m² at Praia Central (Point 3). Black, amber, red, gold, silver and transparent particles were found. The data reinforce the urgent need for Environmental Education actions to alleviate the problem and try to reverse the exposed negative situation.