Environmental impacts, bioaccumulation, and mitigation strategies for microplastics in aquatic ecosystems.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63618/omd/revinvlid/v1/n1/6Keywords:
microplastics, aquatic ecosystems, bioaccumulation, environmental pollution, mitigationAbstract
Microplastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems represents a growing environmental pressure in Ecuador and Latin America, due to its persistence, mobility, and presence in surface water, sediments, mangrove mud, and aquatic organisms. The objective of the study was to analyze the environmental impacts, bioaccumulation, and mitigation strategies related to microplastics in aquatic ecosystems, with an emphasis on sources, matrices, effects, and management gaps. The methodology employed a qualitative, documentary, non-experimental, and exploratory approach, based on an analysis of published scientific and technical literature on microplastics in continental, estuarine, and marine-coastal environments. The results show that the main entry routes correspond to poorly managed plastic waste, urban discharges, wastewater, fishing, aquaculture, and hydrological transport; furthermore, biological exposure in aquatic organisms was identified, although regional biomagnification cannot yet be conclusively confirmed. The discussion shows that methodological, territorial, and institutional limitations hinder the comparison of studies and the formulation of robust environmental policies. It is concluded that mitigation requires standardized monitoring, source reduction, wastewater treatment, integrated waste management, and a circular economy.
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