MICROPLASTICS IN ATMOSPHERIC DEPOSITION IN CIENFUEGOS, CUBA

Microplastic pollution is an emerging concern worldwide. Most studies to date have focused on the presence, levels and effects in the marine environment, but attention to the atmosphere is still limited. In this study, total atmospheric deposition samples were collected at two monitoring sites (rural and urban) in Cienfuegos (Cuba) during 2021, with the objective of identifying the presence and determining fluxes of microplastic particles. Atmospheric deposition samples were collected monthly, and microplastic particles were isolated by density separation and quantified visually using a stereoscope. The average fluxes of microplastic particles were in the range of 17.4-77.7 particles/m2day (average 39.9particles/m2day) and 32.1-172.8 particles/m2day (average 79.7 particles/m2day) at the rural and urban sites, respectively. The fluxes showed similar temporal pattern at both stations, and a strong correlation with rainfall. The highest fluxes were observed during the rainy period and the lowest during the low rainfall. The values obtained were within the range found in studies in other regions of the world, although on average they were lower. The results of this study report by first time the presence of microplastic particles in atmospheric depositions in the Caribbean, thus contributing to expand the knowledge on the abundance of microplastics in the atmosphere at a global level.