Plastic pollution in the Amazon: The first comprehensive and structured scoping review.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Ecotoxicology
• One Health

Background:

• Plastic pollution is a global crisis with limited research in the Amazon.
• The Amazon River is the second most plastic-polluted river worldwide.
• Limited scientific attention has been paid to plastic contamination in Amazonian ecosystems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and assess plastic contamination across Amazonian ecosystems.
• To identify research gaps and One Health risks associated with plastic pollution in the Amazon.
• To provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge on Amazonian plastic pollution.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review using a systematic protocol (PRISMA-ScR).
• Reviewed 52 peer-reviewed studies on plastic litter and fragments in terrestrial and aquatic environments.
• Focused on plastic contamination in the Amazon biome.

Main Results:

• Plastic contamination was found in various Amazonian ecosystems, including sediments, plants, and diverse fauna (fish, birds, reptiles, mammals).
• Most studies focused on microplastics in Brazilian sites along the main Amazon River, particularly in fish.
• No studies reported on nanoplastics, indicating a significant research gap.

Conclusions:

• Plastic pollution in the Amazon poses a major One Health risk to traditional populations through contaminated food and water sources.
• Urgent research is needed on non-fish fauna, tributaries, and other Amazonian countries.
• Targeted mitigation strategies, including waste management and education, are essential.