Microplastics is a growing problem for the environment and the risk that microplastics reaches our food and water is constantly increasing. Microplastics also affects animal life and it is more and more common that fishes, birds and even whales dies because of malnutrition since their stomachs are full of microplastics. The purpose of this project is to eliminate the generation and spreading of microplastics from the plastic industry. This is done by developing a method to locate where microplastics is generated and finding solutions on how they can be contained. The project has been conducted in collaboration with Tarkett Ronneby where a mapping of their facilities has been made, showing where they generate and spreads microplastics. The project has also included generating ideas and solution on how to solve the issues with microplastics at Tarkett Ronneby and other plastic industries. The method on how to eliminate the spread of microplastics from the plastic industry consists of ten different steps. The method including different protocols and a step by step template including everything from finding where microplastics are generated to implement solutions to eliminate the spread of microplastics. This method can be used not only by Tarkett Ronneby but also on other companies and factories with similar production and problems. / Mikroplaster är ett allt växande problem för miljön och riskerar att i allt större utsträckning hamna i maten vi äter och vattnet vi dricker. Det påverkar även djurliv och det är allt vanligare att fiskar, fåglar och till och med valar dör på grund av undernäring, på grund av att deras magar är fulla av plast. Syftet med detta projekt är att minska utsläppet av mikroplaster från plastindustrin genom att ta fram en metod för att lokalisera och åtgärda utsläpp av mikroplaster. Projektet har gjorts i samarbete med Tarkett Ronneby där en kartläggning av deras fabrik och vart de genererar mikroplaster har genomförts. Även lösningsförslag och åtgärder för att minska utsläpp av mikroplaster har tagits fram, dels på Tarkett Ronneby men som även andra aktörer inom samma bransch kan implementera. Metoden för att eliminera utsläpp av mikroplaster från plastindustrin består av tio steg som innefattar bland annat olika protokoll och inkluderar allt från att lokalisera utsläpp till att åtgärda dessa. Denna metod är applicerbar på alla plastindustrier, både som producerar plastgranulat men också som använder plast för att tillverka andra produkter.

This study aims to detect how many microplastics and what kind are released from the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) Skebäck, in Örebro. The study was limited to the analysis of three filters with 50 μm mesh size and one filter with 300 μm mesh size. The samples were taken at different times, two in the fall of 2019 and one in the spring of 2020. Visual characterization was used for the quantification of microplastics, and a lower and upper bound was used. The lower bound represents particles that were deemed identifiable as plastic with high certainty, while the upper bound also includes particles that may have been microplastic. An additional ATR-FTIR analysis was performed on selected microplastics >300 μm.  The presence of microplastics in the effluent from Skebäcks WWTP could be confirmed. The quantity of microplastics per m​3​ (MP/m​3​) trapped on the 50 μm filters were quantified in a range between 0 MP/m​3​ to 291 MP/m​3​ for the lower bound, and 72 MP/m​3​ to 435 MP/m​3​ for the upper bound. The 300 μm filter had considerably less microplastics than the 50 μm filter with 1.8 MP/m​3​. The quantification of fibers on the 50 μm filter and 300 μm filters was not possible due to high blank contaminations. According to the concentration of 63 MP/m​3​ of the lower bound count on the 50 μm filters and the amount of water flowing through Skebäck in 2019, 17 818 935 m​3​, 1.1 billion microplastic particles were released into Svartån that year. In comparison the highest value of the upper bound count, 435 MP/m​3​, gave a release of 7.7 billion microplastic particles. Using the concentration of the 300 μm filter 1.8 MP/m​3​, 32 million microplastics/year were released from Skebäck in 2019. The amount of spheres 50-300 μm released in the effluent from Skebäck was estimated to be 3.7 kg in 2019.

[pt] Microplásticos (partículas poliméricas com tamanho inferior a 5 mm) são contaminantes ubíquos nos ambientes aquáticos, e há uma crescente preocupação sobre os seus efeitos sobre a saúde ambiental e humana. Apesar dos riscos dessa classe de contaminante, no Rio de Janeiro os trabalhos nessa área ainda são incipientes e se torna necessária uma correta avaliação da presença e distribuição de microplásticos. Com base nesse cenário, o presente trabalho tem como objetivos principais: (i) avaliar a ocorrência e a dispersão de microplásticos entre a Baía de Guanabara e Monumento Natural (MoNa) das Ilhas Cagarras; e (ii) determinar quantitativamente e qualitativamente o microplástico coletado. O material contado e separado em classes foi levado para posterior identificação com FTIR-ATR e caracterização da superfície via SEM-EDS. Os resultados mostram uma maior densidade de microplástico nos pontos mais próximos da Baía de Guanabara, sendo observado um gradiente de densidade ao longo dos pontos. Em duas campanhas houve uma maior abundância em itens menores que 1 mm (51,0 ± 5,9 porcento), enquanto em outras duas campanhas, a maior abundância correspondeu à classe de tamanho 1<x≤2 mm (30,0 ± 4,5 porcento). Os polímeros polietileno, polipropileno e poliuretano apresentaram maior representatividade em todas as classes sendo responsáveis por mais de 90 porcento da composição dos materiais. Os resultados podem representar a Baía de Guanabara e emissários submarinos como vetores de contaminação sobre o MoNa Cagarras, causando danos à fauna e flora local. Polímeros com menor densidade que a água do mar se mostram ubíquos devido à sua grande capacidade de dispersão influenciado por correntes, ventos e marés. / [en] Microplastics (polymer particles less than 5 mm in size) are ubiquitous contaminants in aquatic environments, and there is growing concern about their effects on environmental and human health. Despite the risks of this class of contaminant, works in this area in Rio de Janeiro are still incipient and a correct assessment of the presence and distribution of microplastics is necessary. Based on this scenario, the main aims of the present work are: (i) to evaluate the occurrence and dispersion of microplastics between Guanabara Bay and Natural Monument (MoNa) of the Cagarras Islands; and (ii) quantitatively and qualitatively determining the collected microplastic. The material counted and separated into classes was taken for further identification with FTIR-ATR and surface characterization via SEM-EDS. The results show a higher density of microplastic in the points closest to Guanabara Bay, with a density gradient being observed along the points. In two campaigns there was a greater abundance of items smaller than 1 mm (51.0 ± 5.9 percent), while in two other campaigns, the greatest abundance corresponded to the size class 1<x≤2 mm (30.0 ± 4 .5 percent). Polyethylene, polypropylene and polyurethane polymers were more representative in all classes, accounting for more than 90 percent of the composition of materials. The results may represent the Guanabara Bay and submarine outfalls as vectors of contamination on the MoNa Cagarras, causing damage to the local fauna and flora. Polymers with a lower density than seawater are ubiquitous due to their great dispersion capacity influenced by currents, winds and tides.

Purpose – This study aims to gain an increased understanding of how textile companies perceive opportunities and challenges in reducing microplastic shedding in the design process. Specifically, the thesis compares and analyses two distinct textile companies with diverse business approaches. Methodology – A qualitative research method was chosen to gain in-depth knowledge through semi-structured interviews, while a deductive approach was used to connect existing theories to practical implications. A thematic analysis was employed to systematically analyse the empirical data, aligning with the developed analysis model in the thesis. Findings – Based on the results, it indicates that the design process in the textile industry plays a crucial role in reducing microplastic emissions by enabling sustainable product design through material selection and considering the product's life cycle. However, challenges arise in selecting sustainable materials and implementing sustainable practices due to limited awareness, availability, and standardised measurement methods. Through a comparative analysis of two distinct companies, the study generates valuable insights and knowledge on how organisations can re-evaluate their methods, processes, and material selections to foster more sustainable design practices. Originality/value – This study enhances originality by examining and analysing the perspectives of Swedish textile companies regarding the opportunities and challenges associated with reducing microplastic emissions in the design process. By emphasising a pre-consumer stage in the textile value chain, the study departs from the traditional focus on post-consumer phases, thus addressing the microplastic issue from a new perspective. The findings of this study hold significance for both theoretical and practical realms by advancing an increased understanding of sustainable policies and practices aimed at reducing microplastic emissions in the textile industry.

Microplastic pollution (particles < 5mm) is one of the most widespread impacts from modern society. Here, microplastic impacts were investigated through experimental assessments considering different exposure scenarios using mussels and micro-PVC as models. These aimed to investigate mussels\' physiological signs of stress under acute and chronic exposures and microplastics transference, assimilation and retention along food chains. In acute exposures, PVC intake affected mussels\' physiology over time, also influenced by plastics additives and particle concentration. Interactions among exposure factors (time, presence of additives and concentration) were more relevant than their individual effect, indicating the singularity of each contamination scenario. Long-term contact did not affect mussels, indicating the influence of time to acclimation. Microplastics were not assimilated and retained along food chains, but only biotransferred from prey tissues to predators\' tract, showing the influence of prey contamination on the effectiveness of microplastics biotransference. To evaluate risks in nature, microplastic ingestion was investigated in mussels from the Santos Estuary. Santos Estuary contained microplastics in 75% of sampled mussels, an issue of environmental and human concern. This study illustrated that microplastics impacts on mussels vary with microplastics characteristics, exposure scenario and species vulnerability, highlighting the need for more toxicological and risk evaluation studies. / Os microplásticos (< 5mm) são um dos impactos mais difundidos da sociedade moderna. Aqui, eles foram estudados em ensaios experimentais, considerando diferentes composições de exposição de mexilhões à micro-PVCs. O objetivo foi investigar: sinais fisiológicos de estresse sob exposições aguda e crônica; e transferência, assimilação e retenção de microplásticos em cadeias tróficas. Para avaliar seus potenciais riscos na natureza, a ingestão por mexilhões também foi investigada no Estuário de Santos. As exposições agudas afetaram a fisiologia dos mexilhões, sendo influenciadas pelo tempo e concentração de exposição, e pela presença de aditivos plásticos. Interações entre esses fatores (tempo, concentração e aditivos) foram mais relevantes do que eles individualmente, sugerindo a singularidade dos cenários de poluição. A exposição de longo prazo não afetou os mexilhões, indicando a influência do tempo na aclimatação ao microplástico. O PVC não foi assimilado e retido nas cadeias tróficas, mas biotransferido do tecido das presas para o trato dos predadores, mostrando a influência do estado da presa na efetividade da biotransferência dos microplásticos. Dentre os mexilhões coletados, 75% estavam contaminados, revelando uma importante questão socioambiental. Esse trabalho ilustrou a complexidade dos impactos dos microplásticos para a biota marinha, ressaltando a necessidade de mais estudos sobre seus riscos.

Microplastic pollution (particles < 5mm) is one of the most widespread impacts from modern society. Here, microplastic impacts were investigated through experimental assessments considering different exposure scenarios using mussels and micro-PVC as models. These aimed to investigate mussels\' physiological signs of stress under acute and chronic exposures and microplastics transference, assimilation and retention along food chains. In acute exposures, PVC intake affected mussels\' physiology over time, also influenced by plastics additives and particle concentration. Interactions among exposure factors (time, presence of additives and concentration) were more relevant than their individual effect, indicating the singularity of each contamination scenario. Long-term contact did not affect mussels, indicating the influence of time to acclimation. Microplastics were not assimilated and retained along food chains, but only biotransferred from prey tissues to predators\' tract, showing the influence of prey contamination on the effectiveness of microplastics biotransference. To evaluate risks in nature, microplastic ingestion was investigated in mussels from the Santos Estuary. Santos Estuary contained microplastics in 75% of sampled mussels, an issue of environmental and human concern. This study illustrated that microplastics impacts on mussels vary with microplastics characteristics, exposure scenario and species vulnerability, highlighting the need for more toxicological and risk evaluation studies. / Os microplásticos (< 5mm) são um dos impactos mais difundidos da sociedade moderna. Aqui, eles foram estudados em ensaios experimentais, considerando diferentes composições de exposição de mexilhões à micro-PVCs. O objetivo foi investigar: sinais fisiológicos de estresse sob exposições aguda e crônica; e transferência, assimilação e retenção de microplásticos em cadeias tróficas. Para avaliar seus potenciais riscos na natureza, a ingestão por mexilhões também foi investigada no Estuário de Santos. As exposições agudas afetaram a fisiologia dos mexilhões, sendo influenciadas pelo tempo e concentração de exposição, e pela presença de aditivos plásticos. Interações entre esses fatores (tempo, concentração e aditivos) foram mais relevantes do que eles individualmente, sugerindo a singularidade dos cenários de poluição. A exposição de longo prazo não afetou os mexilhões, indicando a influência do tempo na aclimatação ao microplástico. O PVC não foi assimilado e retido nas cadeias tróficas, mas biotransferido do tecido das presas para o trato dos predadores, mostrando a influência do estado da presa na efetividade da biotransferência dos microplásticos. Dentre os mexilhões coletados, 75% estavam contaminados, revelando uma importante questão socioambiental. Esse trabalho ilustrou a complexidade dos impactos dos microplásticos para a biota marinha, ressaltando a necessidade de mais estudos sobre seus riscos.

Atualmente, a poluição marinha por microplásticos é uma grande preocupação ambiental, considerando principalmente a capacidade de dispersão e resistência à degradação que estes materiais possuem. A matéria prima plástica é normalmente comercializada na forma de \"pellets\", grânulos com cerca de 5 mm de diâmetro, que são encontrados em ambientes marinhos e costeiros de todo mundo, inclusive do Brasil. Estes podem ser perdidos nas etapas pré-consumo da cadeia produtiva dos plásticos e chegar direta ou indiretamente ao mar. Embora possam causar impactos ambientais e, eventualmente à saúde humana, há poucos registros formais sobre suas fontes. Assim, o presente projeto configura-se como um estudo para o entendimento da origem e de possíveis soluções para esta questão, a medida em que objetiva mapear e entender os diferentes processos de perda destes microplásticos para o meio ambiente, visando o desenvolvimento de orientações capazes de levar à redução desta perda. As conclusões apontam que as soluções para o problema passam por uma articulação multissetorial e definição de diretrizes para reduzir a perda adequadas à realidade brasileira. Estas diretrizes devem ser implementadas por meio de políticas públicas e instrumentos de comando e controle, que preferencialmente devem estar associados a mecanismos de regulação de mercado. Para efetivação destas políticas torna-se necessário ainda um enquadramento dos pellets como poluentes. / Currently, the plastic and microplastic marine pollution is a major environmental concern considering the difficulty in dealing with the dispersal capacity and resistance to degradation of these materials. The plastic material is usually marketed as plastic pellets, granules of about 5 mm of diameter, which are found in marine and coastal environments worldwide, including in Brazil. Possibly due to losses on the pre-consumer stages of production - on pellets producers, transporters and/or processors - arriving directly to the sea or indirectly by rivers and urban run-off. Although they can cause impacts to environment and, eventually, to human health, there are few formal records of its occurrence and its sources, essential information for managing this issue. Thus, this project is configured as a strategic study for understanding the origin and possible solutions for this issue. The main objective is to map and understand the different processes of these microplastics loss to the environment, aiming the development of guidelines to reduce this loss. The results indicate that the solutions to the problem undergo a multi-sectoral articulation and definition of appropriate guidelines to reduce the loss in the Brazilian reality. These guidelines should be implemented through public policies and instruments of command and control, which should preferably be associated with mechanisms of market regulation. In order to these changes take effect it is needed a clear framing of lost plastic pellets as pollutants.

Atualmente, a poluição marinha por microplásticos é uma grande preocupação ambiental, considerando principalmente a capacidade de dispersão e resistência à degradação que estes materiais possuem. A matéria prima plástica é normalmente comercializada na forma de \"pellets\", grânulos com cerca de 5 mm de diâmetro, que são encontrados em ambientes marinhos e costeiros de todo mundo, inclusive do Brasil. Estes podem ser perdidos nas etapas pré-consumo da cadeia produtiva dos plásticos e chegar direta ou indiretamente ao mar. Embora possam causar impactos ambientais e, eventualmente à saúde humana, há poucos registros formais sobre suas fontes. Assim, o presente projeto configura-se como um estudo para o entendimento da origem e de possíveis soluções para esta questão, a medida em que objetiva mapear e entender os diferentes processos de perda destes microplásticos para o meio ambiente, visando o desenvolvimento de orientações capazes de levar à redução desta perda. As conclusões apontam que as soluções para o problema passam por uma articulação multissetorial e definição de diretrizes para reduzir a perda adequadas à realidade brasileira. Estas diretrizes devem ser implementadas por meio de políticas públicas e instrumentos de comando e controle, que preferencialmente devem estar associados a mecanismos de regulação de mercado. Para efetivação destas políticas torna-se necessário ainda um enquadramento dos pellets como poluentes. / Currently, the plastic and microplastic marine pollution is a major environmental concern considering the difficulty in dealing with the dispersal capacity and resistance to degradation of these materials. The plastic material is usually marketed as plastic pellets, granules of about 5 mm of diameter, which are found in marine and coastal environments worldwide, including in Brazil. Possibly due to losses on the pre-consumer stages of production - on pellets producers, transporters and/or processors - arriving directly to the sea or indirectly by rivers and urban run-off. Although they can cause impacts to environment and, eventually, to human health, there are few formal records of its occurrence and its sources, essential information for managing this issue. Thus, this project is configured as a strategic study for understanding the origin and possible solutions for this issue. The main objective is to map and understand the different processes of these microplastics loss to the environment, aiming the development of guidelines to reduce this loss. The results indicate that the solutions to the problem undergo a multi-sectoral articulation and definition of appropriate guidelines to reduce the loss in the Brazilian reality. These guidelines should be implemented through public policies and instruments of command and control, which should preferably be associated with mechanisms of market regulation. In order to these changes take effect it is needed a clear framing of lost plastic pellets as pollutants.

Konstgräsplaner kan beaktas som en betydande utsläppskälla av mikroplaster. Fyllnadsmaterialet som används på konstgräsplaner kallas granulat och går under definitionen mikroplast. De som används främst på den svenska marknaden är SBR, TPE, EPDM och R-EPDM. Granulatet sprids främst via dagvattnet från konstgräsplaner som då riskerar att hamna i närliggande vattendrag. Tidigare studier har påvisat att granulatet kan urlaka toxiska ämnen som riskerar att förorena vattendragen. Vattenlevande organismer kan misstolka små partiklar som föda, vilket kan ge konsekvenser som bland annat förstoppning och svält. Ämnena som kan urlaka tillhör samlingsnamnet miljögifter och är stabila, toxiska, reproduktionsstörande och ackumulerande. Syftet med denna studie är att ge en beskrivning av vilka fyllnadsmaterial som används på konstgräsplaner i Gävle och undersöka hur dessa partiklar kan spridas samt identifiera åtgärdsförslag för att minska spridningen. Syftet är också att redovisa konstgräsplanernas dagvattenutlopp och vattendragens status för att redogöra för den potentiella miljöpåverkan som granulatet kan ge upphov till. Metoderna som använts i arbetet är litteraturstudie, personlig kommunikation, fältobservationer, kartsystem och figurer samt vattenprov.   Gavlefastigheter äger fem konstgräsplaner i Gävle kommun, vilka är Träffen IP, Gavlevallen, Nynäs IP, Sörby IP och Andersberg. På dessa planer används SBR- TPE- och R-EPDM-granulat. På planområdet förekommer dagvattenbrunnar och granulatet kan spridas till dessa genom ytavrinning vid höga regnflöden, snöplogning och smältvatten samt att spelarna får med sig partiklarna från planen. De flesta planer har dräneringssystem kopplat till dagvattenledningar som kan sprida urlakande ämnen till vattendrag. Dagvattenledningarna har utlopp i Testeboån, Bäckebrobäcken, Gavleån och Hemlingbybäcken. Granulatets fysikaliska egenskaper är en betydande roll om partikeln sedimenterar till botten eller om den kan transporteras med vattendraget. De konstgräsplaner som främst är i behov av åtgärder för att minska spridningen av granulat är Sörby, Anderberg och Nynäs.   Vattendragens statusklassning uppnår ej god kemisk status och ämnen som förekommer i förhöjda halter varierar beroende på vattendrag. Enligt tidigare studier kan flera av dessa ämnen urlaka från granulatet, vilket innebär att det finns en risk för ett tillskott av dessa ämnen om spridning sker. / Artificial turfs have been shown to be a significant source of microplastics. The filling material used on artificial turf is called granules and are under the definition microplastic. There are different kinds of granules on the Swedish market, these are SBR, TPE, EPDM and R-EPDM. The granules spread mainly through stormwater from artificial turf, which may then end up in nearby streams. Previous studies have shown that the granules can release toxic substances that risk contaminating the water. Aquatic organisms can misinterpret microscopic particles as food, which can cause consequences such as constipation and starvation. The substances that may leach from the granules belongs to the collective name environmental toxins and are stable, toxic, reproductive and accumulative.   The purpose of this study is to provide a description of the filling material that are used in artificial turfs in Gävle, investigate how these granules can spread and then identify suggestions to reduce the spread. The purpose is also to present the artificial turf's stormwateroutlets and water status to describe the potential environmental impact that the granulate may cause. The methods used in this work are literature studies, personal communication, field observations, map systems and figures and water samples.   Gavlefastigheter owns five artificial turfs in the municipality of Gävle which are Träffen IP, Gavlevallen, Nynäs IP, Sörby IP and Andersberg. These turfs use SBR- TPE and R-EPDM granules. There are open water wells on every turf area and granules can spread to these by surface water at intensive rain, snow plowing and meltwater and with the players when they leave the turf. Most turfs have drainage systems connected to stormwater pipelines that can spread leachable substances to water. The water pipelines have outlets in Testeboriver, Bäckebrostream, Gavleriver and Hemlingbystream. The physical properties of the granules have a significant effect if the particle sinks to the bottom or if it is transported along with the water. The artificial turfs that are primarily in need of taking actions to reduce the spread of granules are Sörby, Anderberg and Nynäs.   The waters do not achieve good chemical status and substances that occur at high concentrations varies depending on the kind of water. According to previous studies, several of these substances may leach from the granules which means that there is a risk of a contribution of these substances if spreading occurs.

Submitted by Irene Nascimento (irene.kessia@ufpe.br) on 2016-06-20T18:42:06Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Dissertação (G. Ferreira).pdf: 2368229 bytes, checksum: e7d27dd236d3848f67692455d0a94426 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-20T18:42:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Dissertação (G. Ferreira).pdf: 2368229 bytes, checksum: e7d27dd236d3848f67692455d0a94426 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-01 / Capes / Este estudo avalia a influência espaço-temporal nos padrões de distribuição, ecologia alimentar e ingestão de microplástico da espécie Cynoscion acoupa (Pescada Amarela) ao longo da sua ontogenia, no estuário do rio Goiana, localizado no nordeste do Brasil. A área de estudo se trata de um estuário tropical, com altas médias de temperatura anual e pequenas oscilações. O ambiente está submetido a um regime de mesomaré semi-diurna. As principais alterações encontradas no estuário são oriundas do ciclo sazonal, que está diretamente ligado à pluviometria, divida em quatro estações (início da chuva, fim da chuva, início da seca e fim da seeca), com o intuito de se ter uma maior precisão na avaliação dos processos abiológicos e na comunidade aquática. Os espécimes foram coletados em diferentes porções estuarinas (estuário superior, intermediário e inferior) e nos canais de maré. Simultaneamente a coleta dos dados biológicos foram obtidas informações a respeito dos parâmetros físico-químicos. Os padrões de distribuição e alimentação da espécie estudada ocorrem de forma distinta em relação à ontogenia, sazonalidade e áreas do estuário. A fase juvenil de C. acoupa ocupa a porção superior do estuário durante todas as estações do ano, em busca de baixos valores de salinidade, onde encontram condições ideais apara evitar predadores marinhos. As principais presas dos juvenins no estuário superior foram filamentos de microplástico (FO=63%), amphipoda (FO=28%) e mysidacea (FO=22%). Além disso, no início do período chuvoso, o estuário superior apresenta um papel crucial para o ciclo de vida da espécie, por se caracterizar como uma área berçário para C. acoupa (grande densidade 228,4 ind. ha-1 e baixa biomassa 46 g ha-1 de juvenis), pois a sua contribuição de indivíduos juvenis para a população adulta é muito maior que nos outros hábitats. No ambiente de berçário os juvenis se alimentaram principalmente de filamentos de microplástico (FO=48%), camarão (FO=28%), mysidacea (FO=22%) e amphipoda (FO=21%). Nas demais porções estuarinas, também são registrados indivíduos juvenis, sobretudo nos períodos chuvosos (início da chuva 115 ind ha-1 e fim da chuva 7,3 ind. ha-1), porém em menor escala. Os subadultos de C. acoupa utilizam principalmente o estuário superior durante o início da seca (1,7 ind. ha-1), fim da seca (1,6 ind. ha-1) e início da chuva (6,5 ind. ha-1) como área de alimentação. Predando no estuário superior, no início da seca, principalmente peixes não identificados (FO=50%), no fim da seca, filamentos de microplástico (FO=60%), mysidacea (FO=20%) e syllidae (FO=20%) e no início da chuva, filamentos de nylon FO=100% e peixes não identificados (FO=20%). Durante o fim do período chuvoso os indivíduos subadultos migram para o estuário intermediário (2,3 ind. ha-1) para evitar grandes estresses osmorregulatórios e predaram principalmente amphipoda (FO=75%), Cathorops spixii (FO=50%), Anchovia clupeoides (FO=25%) e peixes não identificados (FO=25%). A fase adulta de C. acoupa foi registrada somente nas porções mais externas do estuário inferior, por se tratar de uma espécie de hábitos costeiros quando completamente desenvolvida. Os indivíduos adultos de C. acoupa predaram principalmente filamentos de nylon (FO=100%), C. spixii (FO=18%), Achirus lineatus (FO=15%), Stellifer stellifer (FO=15%) e camarão (FO=15%). C. acoupa apresentou uma variação no padrão de distribuição em relação a sua ontogenia, sazonalidade e diferentes porções estuarinas. Ao longo do seu desenvolvimento ontogenético C. acoupa também apresentou uma alteração na sua guilda trófica, os juvenis e os subadultos foram classificados como oportunistas e os indivíduos adultos como piscívoros. A grande quantidade de fragmentos e microplástico encontrada na espécie estudada, demostra que ela é particularmente vulnerável a esse tipo de contaminante, sobre tudo os espécimes adultos, que registraram os maiores níveis de contaminação, provavelmente em razão do seu nível trófico, como predadores de topo. / This study assess the spatio-temporal distribution patterns, feeding ecology and microplastic ingestion of the Cynoscion acoupa (Acoupa weakfish) during its ontogeny in the Goianna Estuary, located in northeast Brazil. The study area is a tropical estuary, with high mean temperatures and narrow annual temperature variations. The environment is classified as a semi-diurnal mesotidal estuary. The major environmental dynamics are caused by the seasonal regime, which is related to the rainfall, according to the pluviometry, the area was divided in four different seasons (early dry, late dry, early rainy and late rainy). Biological samples were performed in different estuarine reaches (upper, middle and lower estuary) and in tidal creeks. During the fish sampling, environmental parameters were also recorded. The distribution and feeding patters of the studied species occur in a distinctive form according to the ontogeny, seasonality and estuarine area. The juveniles of C. acoupa occupy the upper estuary, during all seasons, seeking low salinity that provide ideal conditions to avoid marine predators. The main juveniles prey in the upper estuary were microplastic threads (FO=63%), amphipoda (FO=28%) and mysidacea (FO=22%). Moreover in the early rainy season, the upper estuary is crucial for the life ciclo of the species, because it is a nursery ground for C. acoupa (high density 228.4 ind. ha-1 and low biomass 46 g ha-1 of juveniles), as a result of the higher contribution of juveniles for to the adult population than in the other habitats. In the nursery ground, the juveniles of C. acoupa fed mainly on plastic threads (FO=48%), penaeid shrimps (FO=28%), mysidacea (FO=22%) and amphipoda (FO=21%). In other estuarine areas juveniles were also recorded, mainly on the rainy seasons (early rainy 115 ind. ha-1 and late rainy 7.3 ind. ha-1), however with lower densities. The subadults of C. acoupa inhabited mostly the upper estuary, during the early dry (1.7 ind. ha-1), late dry (1.6 ind. ha-1) and early rainy seasons (6.5 ind. ha-1) as a feeding ground. In the upper estuary, during the early season they fed mainly on unidentified fish (FO=50%), in the late dry, plastic threads (FO=60%), mysidacea (FO=20%) and syllidae (FO=20%) and in the early rainy, plastic threads (FO=100%) and unidentified fish (FO=20%). During the late rainy season the subadults of C. acoupa migrated to the middle estuary (2.3 ind. ha-1) to avoid osmoregulatory stress, the subadults and fed mainly on amphipoda (FO=75%), Cathorops spixii (FO=50%), Anchovia clupeoides (FO=25%) and non-identified fish (FO=25%). The adults of C. acoupa were recorded only in seaward areas of the lower estuary, as a result of C. acoupa being a coastal/marine species when fully developed. The adults preyed mostly plastic threads (FO=100%), C. spixii (FO=18%), Achirus lineatus (FO=15%), Stellifer stellifer (FO=15%) and penaeid shrimp (FO=15%). During the ontogenetic process, C. acoupa showed a trophic guild shift, the juveniles and subadults were assigned as opportunistic and the adults as psicivores. C. acoupa showed a variation in the distribution pattern in relation to the ontogeny, seasonality and different estuarine reaches. During the ontogenetic development, C. acoupa showed a trophic guild shift, the juveniles and subadults were assigned as opportunistic and the adults as psicivores. The high occurrence of microplastic threads in the species, evince that C. acoupa is particularly vulnerable to this contaminant, especially the adult phase that registered highest contamination levels, probably due its trophic level, as a top predator.