Microplastic Concentration Before and After Hurricane Beryl

The Yucatan Peninsula (YP) is a karst system with many caves and sinkholes (cenotes) that allow for rapid infiltration of surface pollution into the groundwater, the main freshwater resource of the YP. The northeastern YP is experiencing rapid urbanization due to tourism and new supporting infrastructure such as the Maya Train. Also, the YP is an important path for meteorological events like hurricanes; this research evaluated the impact of Beryl, a category 1 hurricane on the type and concentration of microplastics in the karst aquifer. Before and after the events of Beryl, water samples (1 L) were collected at a series of sites such as cenotes, wells, and wetlands in the zone of Riviera Maya (Puerto Morelos in the state of Quintana Roo) to assess changes in microplastic pollution. In this study, a high-throughput approach to detecting, quantifying, and characterizing microplastics by size, shape, and polymer type using laser direct infrared (LDIR) spectroscopy was demonstrated. The difference in concentration of microplastics could demonstrate how impactful naturally occurring meteorological processes have on the spread of microplastics.This research underscores the need for ongoing monitoring and management strategies to mitigate environmental impacts related to microplastics.