Marine protected areas in Brazil are often viewed as safe havens for biodiversity. But even the strictest of these zones aren’t free from pollution.
A new study shows that microplastics are turning up in these supposedly untouched waters, raising concerns about the true extent of environmental protection.
The research was carried out by scientists from the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP) in collaboration with Australian colleagues.
The team examined ten marine protected areas (MPAs) categorized under the highest level of restriction, known as “integral protection areas.” These places prohibit all forms of human activity, including tourism.
Remote waters are affected To measure the level of pollution, researchers used bivalve mollusks such as oysters and mussels. These creatures filter seawater to feed and naturally collect any contaminants in their tissues. That makes them ideal for monitoring long-term pollution trends in the ocean.
Ítalo Braga is the coordinator of the research funded by FAPESP and professor at the Institute of Marine Science of the Federal University of São Paulo (IMar-UNIFESP) in Brazil.
“Our study showed that microplastic contamination occurs even in the most restrictive environmental protection areas. For example, in Atol das Rocas, where there’s no economic activity and tourists aren’t allowed to visit. Microplastics can reach places like this by being carried by the wind or ocean currents,” said Braga.
These findings are alarming because they confirm that pollution can infiltrate even areas that are theoretically shielded from human interference. Plastic particles don’t respect borders. They travel freely on air and ocean currents, spreading their impact across vast distances.
Microplastics invading protected areas The microplastics discovered in these marine areas were mostly smaller than 1 millimeter and appeared in shades of black, white, or transparent. Chemical analysis identified 59.4% of the particles.
The most common materials included alkyd polymers (28.1%), typically used in paints and varnishes and likely originating from boats or marine equipment.
Cellulose made up 21% and was traced to both natural sources, such as algae and marine plants, and human-made materials like paper waste.