Microplásticos en los sedimentos de la cuenca media y alta del río Lurín, Perú

Luis Fernando Sifuentes Castañeda; Franklin Canchari Madueño; José Iannacone

doi:10.21664/2238-8869.2026v15i2.8543

Authors

Luis Fernando Sifuentes Castañeda Universidad Científica del Sur. Lima, Perú. https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5143-7530
Franklin Canchari Madueño Universidad Científica del Sur. Lima, Perú. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2598-8583
José Iannacone Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal. Lima, Perú. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3699-4732

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21664/2238-8869.2026v15i2.8543

Keywords:

bed sediment, microplastic, Peru, surface sediment

Abstract

The present research aims to evaluate contamination by microplastics (MP) in sediments in the middle and upper basin of the Lurín River, Peru. Surface sediment (SS) and bed sediment (SL) samples were collected at 10 sites along the middle and upper basin of the Lurín River. In the laboratory, the density separation method with ZnCl2 was used to separate the microplastics from the sediment and then observed under a microscope to determine characteristics of microplastics. This study investigates microplastics in river sediment in the middle and upper basin of the Lurín River, since there are no previous studies on the topic. The importance of knowing about microplastic pollution in the main river of the basin is emphasized. The results show that both zones (middle and upper basin) the abundance of MP in SS ranges from 222.22 to 922.22 Items/kg of dry sediment and in SL ranges from 88.89 to 611.11 Items/kg of dry sediment. Showing that there is a greater amount of microplastics in SS than in SL. It showed no correlation between SS and SL. The predominant characteristics in SL and SS were 20 µm to <1 mm in size, fiber-shaped, and black in color. Obtaining and making available the data will help authorities and society improve understanding of MP pollution in the middle and upper basin of the Lurín River and, from that, formulate public policies to improve management. of solid waste and reduces plastic pollution.

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