Evaluación de microplásticos en el agua superficial del río Sicalpa, cantón Colta, provincia de Chimborazo.

This research aims to evaluate microplastics' presence in the Sicalpa River's surface water, located in the Colta canton, province of Chimborazo. Six strategically distributed sampling points were established, taking into account land use and accessibility. The water samples were collected in plastic containers and subsequently transported to the laboratory for analysis. Results revealed significant variations in the concentrations of microplastics between the different geographical areas of the micro basin. In the upper area, points P1 and P2 presented a low presence of microplastics, with P1 without detections and P2 with concentrations that ranged from 2 MPs/L to 1 MPs/L, which suggests less human influence. In contrast, the middle zone, represented by P4 and P5, showed a considerable increase in concentrations, varying between 9 and 14 MPs/L, attributable to intensive human activities. In the lower area, points P5 and P6 recorded the highest concentrations, reaching up to 32 MPs/L, which shows an accumulation of microplastics due to waste runoff and wastewater discharge. The diversity of microplastics identified, which includes fragments of degraded plastic, microbeads, and synthetic filaments, reflects the influence of human activities in the region, highlighting the importance of conservation strategies to mitigate anthropogenic effects in these high Andean ecosystems. These findings underline the urgent need to implement waste management measures to reduce microplastic pollution and protect aquatic ecosystems.

• Main Author: Remache Morocho, Verónica Consuelo (author)
• Format: masterThesis
• Language: spa
• Published: 2025
• Subjects: agua superficial; contaminación; microplásticos; microcuenca Sicalpa
• Online Access: http://dspace.unach.edu.ec/handle/51000/14745