The general objective of the subproject is to assess microplastic contamination in the water and sediments around the Natural Monument (MONA) of the Cagarras Islands Archipelago, Protected Area (PA) located in the state of Rio de Janeiro, aiming to support public policies that contribute to the protection of this PA and the adjacent coastal marine region, addressing the health of marine organisms and interactions with the human population that visits the region. 

The archipelago is located about 5 km from the coast and its waters receive high-impact pollution effluents brought by submarine outfalls, lagoon channels and waters from the Guanabara Bay. 

At the end of the subproject, a hydrodynamic model is expected to be built to simulate the input of micro plastics in the MONA, discriminating the contribution of each of the sources studied and the main polymers that pose a risk to the preservation of communities. In addition, a report will be prepared to support laws and regulations that help to resolve the aforementioned problem. The subproject shall contribute to the development of a permanent microplastic monitoring program in the coastal and marine areas of Rio de Janeiro and to raise society’s awareness of the relationship between consumption and negative environmental impacts.