As a biological reserve with no human access, Atol das Rocas recorded the lowest contamination level—but not zero. The Alcatrazes Archipelago showed the highest, with 0.90 particles per gram of mollusk tissue. While these levels remain well below contamination found in Brazil’s industrial coastal zones (some 50–60 times higher), the findings highlight a critical vulnerability: protected status does not equate to isolation from global pollution streams.
The chemical fingerprint of these particles tells a broader story. Nearly 60% of the plastics identified came from specific and traceable industrial sources. The dominant material—alkyd polymers—originates primarily from marine paints and varnishes used by shipping and fishing vessels. Other common contaminants included PET from packaging, PTFE from coatings, and cellulose likely tied to synthetic textiles and urban runoff.
These findings should raise concern for sectors linked to marine logistics, coastal manufacturing, and synthetic textiles. Even companies operating far from conservation zones may be contributing to their degradation through untracked waste emissions. Traditional pollution controls focused on localized sources fall short when ocean and atmospheric currents distribute contaminants globally.
As the UN continues work on a Global Plastics Treaty, the message is clear: effective regulation must span borders, sectors, and ecosystems. Businesses need to start treating plastic emissions as long-term liabilities, not just local compliance issues. Proactive waste management strategies—particularly around maritime operations and synthetic material disposal—are becoming not just environmentally responsible but economically strategic.
