Density and temporal dynamics of macroplastics in an urban river, Central Brazil

Maycon Winnicius Barreira de Souza Coelho; Idiandra Vieira dos Santos Alves; Francisco Leonardo Tejerina-Garro

doi:10.5327/Z2176-94782559

Authors

Maycon Winnicius Barreira de Souza-Coelho Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Goiás (PUC-GO) - Brazil https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2923-067X
Idiandra Vieira dos Santos Alves Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Goiás (PUC-GO) - Brazil https://orcid.org/0009-0003-8196-8143
Francisco Leonardo Tejerina-Garro Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Goiás (PUC-GO); Universidade Evangélica de Goiás (Unievangélica) - Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5159-8108

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5327/Z2176-94782559

Keywords:

seasonality; fishing; mixed plastic sources; Meia Ponte River; Goiás.

Abstract

Macroplastic pollution in riverine systems is a growing concern, particularly in neotropical rivers draining urban and agricultural areas. These environments act as vectors for the transport and deposition of plastic waste, thereby compromising water quality and ecosystem services. This study assessed the influence of temporal variation (seasonal and intraseasonal), spatial variation (along the river stretch), source, and deposition site on the density of macroplastics (>3 cm) in the Meia Ponte River, Goiás, located in the upper section of the Paraná River basin, Central Brazil. Four sampling campaigns were conducted between 2023 and 2024 at three main channel points, covering areas upstream and downstream of the Goiânia metropolitan region. The macroplastics were visually identified and classified in situ by source and deposition site. Density was analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn’s post-hoc tests. A total of 2,024 items were recorded, yielding a total density of 40.4 items.m⁻². Significant differences were observed among the categories of seasonality, intraseasonality, and source (p<0.05). It is concluded that temporal variation (seasonal and intraseasonal) and source are the modulating factors of macroplastic dynamics in the sampled river.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abdullah, A.H.; Chowdhury, G.; Adikari, D.; Jahan, I.; Andrawina, Y.O.; Hossain, M.A.; Schneider, P.; Iqbal, M.M., 2022. Macroplastics Pollution in the Surma River in Bangladesh: A Threat to Fish Diversity and Freshwater Ecosystems. Water, v. 14 (20), 3263. https://doi.org/10.3390/w14203263.

Almeida, L.S.; Pfeiffer, S.C., 2022. Coleta e destinação de bens domésticos inservíveis gerados nas residências do município de Goiânia, Goiás. In: XIII Congresso Brasileiro de Gestão Ambiental. Anais... Teresina/PI: Instituto Brasileiro de Estudos Ambientais e de Saneamento.

Al-Zawaidah, H.; Ravazzolo, D.; Friedrich, H., 2021. Macroplastics in rivers: present knowledge, issues and challenges. Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts, v. 23 (4), 535-552. https://doi.org/10.1039/D0EM00517G.

Bel Hassen, M.; Bellaaj Zouari, A.; Abdennadher, M.; Assaf, J.-C.; Nakad, M.; Abboud, R.; Khammeri, Y.; Banni, M.; Panzeri, A.; Gomes, L.; Hamd, W., 2025. Plastics pollution: pathways, impacts, and regulatory challenges in marine environments. Frontiers in Environmental Science, v. 13, 1635230. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2025.1635230.

Belarmino, P.H.P.; Silva, S.M.; Rufener, M.-C.; Araújo, M.C.B., 2014. Resíduos sólidos em manguezal no rio Potengi (Natal, RN, Brasil): relação com a localização e usos. Revista de Gestão Costeira Integrada - Journal of Integrated Coastal Zone Management, v. 14 (3), 447-457. https://doi.org/10.5894/rgci451.

Borrelle, S.B.; Ringma, J.; Law, K.L.; Monnahan, C.C.; Lebreton, L.; McGivern, A.; Murphy, E.; Jambeck, J.; Leonard, G.H.; Hilleary, M.A.; Eriksen, M.; Possingham, H.P.; De Frond, H.; Gerber, L.R.; Polidoro, B.; Tahir, A.; Bernard, M.; Mallos, N.; Barnes, M.; Rochman, C.M., 2020. Predicted growth in plastic waste exceeds efforts to mitigate plastic pollution. Science, v. 369 (6510), 1515-1518. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aba3656.

Chowdhury, Z.; Yokota, K.; Ngoc, N.M.; Inoue, T., 2025. Quantification of riverine macroplastics in a farmland area in Japan. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, v. 32, 6948-6958. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-025-36160-6.

Dalu, T.; Oduro, C.; Matsimela, R.M.; Munyai, L.F.; Wu, N.; Moyo, S.; Cuthbert, R.N., 2025. Macroplastic distribution patterns and accumulation in an urbanised Austral subtropical river system. Scientific Reports, v. 15, 9231. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-94282-w.

Dinno, A., 2015. Nonparametric pairwise multiple comparisons in independent groups using Dunn’s test. The Stata Journal, v. 15 (1), 292-300. https://doi.org/10.1177/1536867X1501500117.

Dunn, O.J., 1964. Multiple comparisons using rank sums. Technometrics, v. 6 (3), 241-252. https://doi.org/10.1080/00401706.1964.10490181.

Ferreira, V., 2024. Macroplastic litter colonization by stream macroinvertebrates relative to that of plant litter: A meta-analysis. Environmental Pollution, v. 342, 123108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.123108.

Gallitelli, L.; Scalici, M., 2022. Riverine macroplastic gradient along watercourses: A global overview. Frontiers in Environmental Science, v. 10, 937944. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2022.937944.

Goiânia, 2020. Projeto de Lei nº 297/2018 (Accessed October 16, 2025) at:. https://www.goiania.go.leg.br/sala-de-imprensa/agencia-camara-goiania/Agencia-Camara-Goiania_noticias/instalacao-de-ecobarreiras-em-corregos-e-rios-da-capital-e-aprovado.

Goiás, 2021. Diagnóstico: Plano de Recursos Hídricos das Unidades de Planejamento e Gestão de Recursos Hídricos do Estado de Goiás afluentes ao rio Paranaíba – rio Meia Ponte. Estado de Goiás (Accessed October 16, 2025) at:. https://www.meioambiente.go.gov.br.

González-Fernández, D.; Hanke, G., 2017. Toward a harmonized approach for monitoring of riverine floating macro litter inputs to the marine environment. Frontiers in Marine Science, v. 4, 86. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2017.00086.

Gupta, P.; Saha, M.; Naik, A.; Kumar, M.M.; Rathore, C.; Vashishth, S.; Maitra, S.P.; Bhardwaj, K.D.; Thukral, H., 2024. A comprehensive assessment of macro and microplastics from rivers Ganga and Yamuna: unveiling the seasonal, spatial and risk factors. Journal of Hazardous Materials, v. 469, 133926. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133926.

Hammer, Ø.; Harper, D.A.T.; Ryan, P.D., 2001. PAST: Paleontological statistics software package for education and data analysis. Palaeontologia Electronica, v. 4 (1), 9 (Accessed October 16, 2025) at:. http://palaeo-electronica.org/2001_1/past/issue1_01.htm.

Jiang, X.; Lu, K.; Tunnell, J.W.; Liu, Z., 2021. The impacts of weathering on concentration and bioaccessibility of organic pollutants associated with plastic pellets (nurdles) in coastal environments. Marine Pollution Bulletin, v. 170, 112592. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112592.

Krebs, C.J., 1989. Ecological methodology. Harper & Row, Publishers, New York, 654 p.

Laverre, M.; Kerhervé, P.; Constant, M.; Weiss, L.; Charrière, B.; Stetzler, M.; González-Fernández, D.; Ludwig, W., 2023. Heavy rains control the floating macroplastic inputs into the sea from coastal Mediterranean rivers: a case study on the Têt River (NW Mediterranean Sea). Science of The Total Environment, v. 877, 162733. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162733.

Ma, Y.; Chen, X.; Clayer, F.; Shi, X.; Chen, Y.; Norling, M.; Lin, Y., 2024. Rivers of plastic: a socio-economic and topographic approach to modeling plastic transport from catchment to sea. Environmental Pollution, v. 356, 124314. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124314.

Mashamba, R.; Cuthbert, R.N.; Dondofema, F.; Munyai, L.F.; Wu, N.; Dalu, T., 2024. Spatiotemporal variation in macroplastic abundances along a subtropical Austral river system. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, v. 196, 273. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-024-12409-4

Matida, L.M.; Santos, E.C.G., 2022. Avaliação socioambiental da implementação e condições atuais dos Ecopontos na cidade de Goiânia-GO. In: XX Congresso Brasileiro de Mecânica dos Solos e Engenharia Geotécnica. Anais... Campinas: Editora Cubo.

Murphy, E.L.; Fredette-Roman, C.; Rochman, C.M.; Gerber, L.R.; Polidoro, B., 2023. A multi-taxonomic, trait-based framework for assessing macroplastic vulnerability. Science of The Total Environment, v. 892, 164563. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164563.

Nyberg, B.; Harris, P.T.; Kane, I.; Maes, T., 2023. Leaving a plastic legacy: current and future scenarios for mismanaged plastic waste in rivers. Science of The Total Environment, v. 869, 161821. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161821.

Oliveira, M.P.; Tejerina-Garro, F.L., 2010. Distribuição e estrutura das assembleias de peixes em um rio sob influência antropogênica, localizado no alto da bacia do rio Paraná – Brasil Central. Boletim do Instituto de Pesca, v. 36 (3), 185-195.

Pinto, R.B.; van Emmerik, T.H.M.; Duah, K.; van der Ploeg, M.; Uijlenhoet, R., 2024. Mismanaged plastic waste as a predictor for river plastic pollution. Science of The Total Environment, v. 951, 175463. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175463.

Roebroek, C.T.J.; Harrigan, S.; van Emmerik, T.H.M.; Baugh, C.; Eilander, D.; Prudhomme, C.; Pappenberger, F., 2021. Plastic in global rivers: are floods making it worse? Environmental Research Letters, v. 16 (2), 025003. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/abd5df.

Rubin, J.C.R.; Oliveira, A.M.S.; Saad, A.R.; Brito, G.S., 2008. Amostragem dos depósitos tecnogênicos associados ao rio Meia Ponte na área urbana de Goiânia-GO. Revista Brasileira de Geomorfologia, v. 9 (2), 3-14. https://doi.org/10.20502/rbg.v9i2.105.

Schreyers, L.J.; van Emmerik, T.H.M.; Bui, T.-K. L.; van Thi, K.L.; Vermeulen, B.; Nguyen, H.-Q.; Wallerstein, N.; van der Ploeg, M., 2024. River plastic transport affected by tidal dynamics. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, v. 28 (3), 589-610. https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-589-2024.

Schreyers, L.; Hauk, R.; Wallerstein, N.; Teuling, A.J.; Uijlenhoet, R.; van der Ploeg, M.; van Emmerik, T., 2025. Flood type drives river-scale macroplastic deposition. EGU General Assembly, Vienna, Austria, EGU25-18363. https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu25-18363.

Schwenk, B.A.; Kazmierczak, E.M.; Petersen, F.; Haney, J.; Zhu, X.; Zuidema, S.; Lever, E.K.; Lammers, R.B.; Wollheim, W.M.; Rochman, C.M.; Hoellein, T.J., 2025. Storm events influence the transport of macroplastics in urban streams. Water Environment Research, v. 97 (6), e70083. https://doi.org/10.1002/wer.70083.

Silva, J.S.; Barbosa, S.C.T.; Costa, M.F., 2008. Flag items as a tool for monitoring solid wastes from users on urban beaches. Journal of Coastal Research, v. 24 (4), 890-898. https://doi.org/10.2112/06-0695.1.

Tobaldini, L.F.L.; Mariani, A.L.; Lemunie, É.S.; Castilho, A.G.; Wolff, L.L.; Bonato, K.O., 2023. Presença de poluição plástica no Riacho Quati na região de Cascavel-PR: uso de uma espécie de peixe como bioindicador. International Journal of Environmental Resilience Research and Science, v. 5 (3), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.48075/ijerrs.v5i3.32392 .

United Nations Environment Programme, 2024. Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (Accessed October 8, 2025) at:. https://www.unep.org/inc-plastic-pollution.

van Emmerik, T.; Kieu-Le, T.-C.; Loozen, M.; van Oeveren, K.; Strady, E.; Bui, X.-T.; Vriend, P.; Besseling, D.M.; Hauk, R.; Costas, A.J.; Lessen, M.M.L., 2018. A methodology to characterize riverine macroplastic emission into the ocean. Frontiers in Marine Science, v. 5, 372. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2018.00372.

van Emmerik, T.H.M.; Frings, R.; Schreyers, L.J.; Hauk, R.; de Lange, S.; Mellink, Y., 2023. River plastic transport and deposition amplified by extreme flood. Nature Water, v. 1, 514-522. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44221-023-00092-7.

van Emmerik, T.H.M.; Lange, S.; Frings, R.; Schreyers, L.; Aalderink, H.; Leusink, J.; Begemann, F.; Hamers, E.; Hauk, R.; Janssens, N.; Jansson, P.; Joosse, N.; Kelder, D.; van der Kuijl, T.; Lotcheris, R.; Löhr, A.; Mellink, Y.; Pinto, R.; Tasseron, P.; Vos, V.; Vriend, P., 2022a. Hydrology as a driver of floating river plastic transport. Earth’s Future, v. 10 (8), e2022EF002811. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022EF002811

van Emmerik, T.H.M.; Mellink, Y.; Hauk, R.; Waldschläger, K.; Schreyers, L., 2022b. Rivers as plastic reservoirs. Frontiers in Water, v. 3, 821648. https://doi.org/10.3389/frwa.2021.786936.

Veiga, A.M.; Dias, M.R.D.; Lino, N.C., 2013. Caracterização hidromorfológica da bacia do rio Meia Ponte. Caminhos da Geografia, v. 14 (46), 126-138 (Accessed October 18, 2024) at:. https://abrh.s3.sa-east-1.amazonaws.com/Sumarios/81/6276a0b82f4e92cb57fb1b0ae2558e46_a46e58851320dbbd9d8659bf91552d0b.pdf

Vorsatz, L.D.; So, M.W.K.; Not, C.; Cannicci, S., 2023. Anthropogenic debris pollution in peri-urban mangroves of South China: Spatial, seasonal, and environmental drivers in Hong Kong. Marine Pollution Bulletin, v. 195, 115495. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115495.

Vriend, P.; Schoor, M.; Rus, M.; Oswald, S.B.; Collas, F.P.L., 2023. Macroplastic concentrations in the water column of the river Rhine increase with higher discharge. Science of The Total Environment, v. 900, 165716. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165716.

Wang, T.; Li, B.; Shi, H.; Ding, Y.; Chen, H.; Yuan, F.; Liu, R.; Zou, X., 2024. The processes and transport fluxes of land-based macroplastics and microplastics entering the ocean via rivers. Journal of Hazardous Materials, v. 466, 133623. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133623.