Limnology and Oceanography Bulletin · 2024 · Vol. 33, No. 2 · pp. 85–88
Filling the Gap: A Comprehensive Freshwater Network to Map Microplastics across Ecological Gradients in Argentina
Alfonso MB, Scordo F, Epele LB, Isobe A, Akmentins MS, Albariño R, Albarrán KK, Allende L, Andrade-Muñoz AS, Ansoar-Rodríguez Y, Arias AH, Balseiro E, Berenstein GA, Bertrand L, Blettler MCM, Buria LM, Cochero J, Di Prinzio CY, Diaz B, Diaz Y, Diodato SL, Echaniz SA, Espino Penilla M, Fasanella M, Fontanarrosa MS, Franco M, Franceschini C, Gastón MS, Giorgi A, Granitto M, Gultemirian ML, Guzmán AE, Kuroda JA, Macchi PA, Mora GA, Nieto C, Novarese PD, Ossana NA, Padulles ML, Pazos RS, Pecile A, Reissig M, Reynaga MC, Rimondino GN, Ríos JM, Rocha L, Rodríguez P, Rodríguez Castro MC, Sabater LM, Schenone L, Seitz C, Tagliaferro M, Herbert LT, Vaira M, Vignatti AM & Yacelga Villavicencio NC
The first comprehensive freshwater microplastics monitoring initiative underway in South America. MappA encompasses 117 diverse study sites spanning 21 lakes, 25 shallow lakes, 7 reservoirs, 44 rivers and 20 streams across Argentina, covering most of the main watershed areas of the country. The project engages 51 experts in aquatic science from 31 research institutes and universities, implementing a standardized methodology to comprehensively understand microplastics presence, characteristics and distribution across a latitudinal gradient of 2.8 million km² (24°S to 54°S).