Although progress has been made in the study of **[microplastics](https://noticiasambientales.com/medio-ambiente/alarmante-hallan-concentraciones-record-de-microplasticos-en-la-antartida/)** in the oceans, research related to **rivers**, particularly in **Latin America and the Caribbean**, is limited.
An analysis published in Science in 2024 estimated that between 10 and 40 million tons of microplastics enter the **environment** each year, and this figure could double by 2040 if effective measures are not adopted. However, studies on microplastics in Latin America represent only 4.8% of global research in this field.
Two of the most plastic-polluted rivers in the region are the Amazon, which contributes 63,900 tons of plastic **waste** to the ocean annually, and the Magdalena River in Colombia, responsible for 29,500 tons per year. In addition, recent research has analyzed this type of **contamination in rivers in Cuba and Venezuela**, yielding alarming results.
In Cuba, the waters of the Almendares River in Havana and the Baños del San Juan River in a rural area near the capital were studied. The urban river showed a high presence of microplastics due to **industrial and domestic waste**, while the rural river, despite lower human activity, also showed significant contamination.
Similarly, a study in the Chichi River in Venezuela revealed that plastic pollution in the Chichiriviche bay, where the river flows into, is up to 3.8 times higher downstream, highlighting the role of the town as a **source of contamination**.
The impact of textiles and the challenges posed by microplastics in rivers of Latin America and the Caribbean
In both Cuba and Venezuela, **textile fibers**, mainly polyester and other synthetic fabrics, were the most common type of microplastic. These particles, released during washing, end up in rivers due to inadequate treatment of **wastewater**, demonstrating the direct connection between domestic activities and **aquatic pollution**.
Studies also revealed that levels of microplastics increase during the **rainy season**, transporting these particles from rivers to the oceans. Additionally, in Cuba, it was found that particles accumulate in river sediments, affecting natural processes such as the **decomposition of organic matter** and altering the activity of essential microorganisms.
Andreia Neves Fernandes, coordinator of an environmental laboratory in Brazil, emphasizes the importance of understanding how microplastics interact with other pollutants and **organic matter**. According to Fernandes, this knowledge will be essential for designing effective interventions to address this issue.
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