We report the occurrence of plastics and associated persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in surface waters from Northern Chilean Patagonia. A total of 200 particles were found during the conducted survey. The highest number of particles found was 0.6 item m-3. We found that 53 % of the collected particles corresponded to plastic, with an average of 0.19 ± 0.18 item m-3. Microplastics (68 %) were the dominant size found in the area, followed by macroplastics (18 %) and mesoplastics (14 %). Most plastic particles were white (55 %) while others were <10 % each. Black and light blue represented 9 %; red, dark blue, and other colors 7 %; and green 6 %. Fragments were the most frequent shape of plastic debris (38 %), followed by Styrofoam (30 %) and fiber (27 %). Higher PBDE levels were found in the central zone, and those were higher than DDT, PeCB, HCB, and PCB levels. This study is the first report on POP occurrence in marine plastic debris from Chiloé Sea in the Northern Chilean Patagonia.

• Klíčová slova
• Chile, FTIR, Microplastics, POPs, Patagonia, Plastic pollution,
• MeSH
• chemické látky znečišťující vodu * analýza   MeSH
• látky znečišťující životní prostředí * MeSH
• mikroplasty MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí MeSH
• plastické hmoty MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Chile MeSH
• Názvy látek
• chemické látky znečišťující vodu * MeSH
• látky znečišťující životní prostředí * MeSH
• mikroplasty MeSH
• plastické hmoty MeSH

Plastic resin pellets were collected from coastal areas (n = 7) of central Chile. Pellets were analyzed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy for polymer identification and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) determination. Screened compounds were PBDEs (n = 10), PCBs (n = 7), and OCPs (n = 13). Pellets were only found at Lenga Beach (San Vicente Bay), which is likely influenced by the presence of industrial activities in the surrounding coastal area. The diameter of the pellets was 4.0 ± 0.6 cm (n = 370), the color varied from white (32%) to yellowing (68%), and the most prevalent polymer identified was high-density polyethylene (99%). POPs concentrations (ng/g-pellet) ranged from 10 to 133 for Ʃ10PBDEs, from 3 to 60 for Ʃ7PCBs and between 0.1 and 7 for DDTs. Levels of POPs are consistent with other investigations around the world and highlight the sorbtion capacity of plastics resin pellets, and consequently transport of POPs into coastal environments.

• Klíčová slova
• Microplastics, POPs, Pellets, San Vicente Bay,
• MeSH
• chemické látky znečišťující vodu * MeSH
• látky znečišťující životní prostředí * MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí MeSH
• plastické hmoty analýza   MeSH
• polychlorované bifenyly MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Chile MeSH
• Názvy látek
• chemické látky znečišťující vodu * MeSH
• látky znečišťující životní prostředí * MeSH
• plastické hmoty MeSH
• polychlorované bifenyly MeSH

In this study we have identified and characterized microplastic particles (MPs) found in six fish species of commercial importance in central Chile. The fish species belong to different trophic levels and were obtained from the oceanic and coastal habitats. To analyze MPs, the fish gastrointestinal content was extracted, analyzed and characterized using a microscopy equipped with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The MPs found in fish samples were mainly constituted by red microfibers (70-100%) with sizes ranging between 176 and 2842 μm. Polyester, polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were identified as the prevalent polymers detected. The coastal species showed the presence of microfibers with a higher size and abundance (71%) compared to oceanic species (29%), suggesting there is a greater exposure risk. These findings are consistent with results found in other investigations worldwide. However, further research is still needed to accurately establish the potential exposure risk for the public consuming these fish and the impact of MPs in the Chilean fishery activities.

• Klíčová slova
• Biobío region, Chile, FTIR, Fish species, Microfibers, Microplastics,
• MeSH
• chemické látky znečišťující vodu analýza   metabolismus   MeSH
• ekosystém MeSH
• gastrointestinální obsah chemie   MeSH
• monitorování životního prostředí metody   MeSH
• oceány a moře MeSH
• plastické hmoty analýza   metabolismus   MeSH
• potrava z moře (živočišná) analýza   MeSH
• ryby metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Chile MeSH
• oceány a moře MeSH
• Názvy látek
• chemické látky znečišťující vodu MeSH
• plastické hmoty MeSH