Abstract

Microplastics in freshwater are becoming of emerging concerns. In Switzerland, some recent studies reveals the microplastics pollution of Swiss lakes and rivers. The aim of the present study is to improve the understanding of the origins of this pollution. The process used was a reviewing of litterature, a field work on the riversides of the Venoge and an analysis of some body care products. Plastics found on the riversides were analysed by infrared spectroscopy FT-IR. The analysis of the body care products permits to evaluate how much quantity of PE they reject in the environment. Actually, PE is the main plastic found in cosmetics. The majority of the plastics found were PP, PS and PE which are also the main components of food wrappers and food containers. Therefore, the consumers seems to be the main responsibles of the pollution. Waste waters are the second most important source of microplastics in freshwaters

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