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Estudo da composição e abundância de microplásticos no registo sedimentar da lagoa da Fajã dos Cubres – Açores
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Resumo(s)
O presente estudo investiga a composição e abundância de partículas de microplástico no registo
sedimentar da Lagoa da Fajã dos Cubres, localizada nos Açores. A investigação justifica-se pela
crescente preocupação com a contaminação por microplásticos em ecossistemas costeiros e pela
escassez de dados sobre a sua presença em lagoas insulares, particularmente neste arquipélago. Para tal,
foram desenvolvidas e adaptadas metodologias de extração e quantificação de partículas de
microplástico, combinando oxidação com peróxido de hidrogénio e separação por densidade. As
partículas extraídas foram caracterizadas quanto ao tamanho, cor e tipologia, tendo sido analisada a
variação temporal da sua concentração.
Os resultados evidenciam um aumento da deposição de partículas de microplástico a partir da década
de 1980, com um pico de abundância em 1988. As fibras representam a fração dominante (94% das
partículas identificadas), sugerindo uma origem maioritariamente associada a atividades humanas, tais
como a lavagem de têxteis e a degradação de redes de pesca. As partículas transparentes e azuis foram
as mais frequentes, refletindo padrões típicos da contaminação por plásticos em ambientes costeiros.
Os dados obtidos destacam o papel das lagoas costeiras como reservatórios eficazes de microplásticos
e sublinham a necessidade de monitorização contínua e políticas de mitigação para minimizar os
impactos ambientais associados. Este estudo fornece informações essenciais no apoio à gestão ambiental
local, permitindo a definição de medidas específicas de monitorização e mitigação para a Lagoa da Fajã
dos Cubres, contribuindo assim para a preservação sustentável deste ecossistema costeiro insular.
This study investigates the composition and abundance of microplastic particles in the sedimentary record of the Fajã dos Cubres Lagoon, located in the Azores. The research is justified by the growing concern regarding microplastic contamination in coastal ecosystems and the lack of data on their presence in island lagoons, particularly in this archipelago. To address this, methodologies for the extraction and quantification of microplastic particles were developed and adapted, combining hydrogen peroxide oxidation and density separation. The extracted particles were characterized in terms of size, color, and typology, and the temporal variation of their concentration was analysed. The findings reveal a significant increase in the deposition of microplastic particles since the 1980s, peaking in 1988. Fibers are the dominant fraction (94% of the identified particles), suggesting a predominantly origin linked to human activities such as textile washing and the degradation of fishing nets. Transparent and blue particles were the most frequent, reflecting typical plastic pollution patterns in coastal environments. The data highlight the role of coastal lagoons as effective reservoirs of microplastics and underline the need for continuous monitoring and mitigation policies to minimise associated environmental impacts. This study provides essential information to support local environmental management, enabling the definition of specific monitoring and mitigation measures for the Fajã dos Cubres Lagoon, thereby contributing to the sustainable preservation of this coastal insular ecosystem.
This study investigates the composition and abundance of microplastic particles in the sedimentary record of the Fajã dos Cubres Lagoon, located in the Azores. The research is justified by the growing concern regarding microplastic contamination in coastal ecosystems and the lack of data on their presence in island lagoons, particularly in this archipelago. To address this, methodologies for the extraction and quantification of microplastic particles were developed and adapted, combining hydrogen peroxide oxidation and density separation. The extracted particles were characterized in terms of size, color, and typology, and the temporal variation of their concentration was analysed. The findings reveal a significant increase in the deposition of microplastic particles since the 1980s, peaking in 1988. Fibers are the dominant fraction (94% of the identified particles), suggesting a predominantly origin linked to human activities such as textile washing and the degradation of fishing nets. Transparent and blue particles were the most frequent, reflecting typical plastic pollution patterns in coastal environments. The data highlight the role of coastal lagoons as effective reservoirs of microplastics and underline the need for continuous monitoring and mitigation policies to minimise associated environmental impacts. This study provides essential information to support local environmental management, enabling the definition of specific monitoring and mitigation measures for the Fajã dos Cubres Lagoon, thereby contributing to the sustainable preservation of this coastal insular ecosystem.
Descrição
Tese de mestrado, Ecologia e Gestão Ambiental, 2025, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências
Palavras-chave
Lagoas Costeiras Poluição Costeira Lixo Marinho Ecossistemas Insulares Monitorização Ambiental Teses de mestrado - 2025