The final findings from the study commissioned by the Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council, through the Santa Cruz Sostenible Foundation, in partnership with Fundación Cepsa, conducted by the Applied Analytical Chemistry (AChem) research group at the University of La Laguna (ULL), reveal the presence of plastic microparticles larger than 1 mm (primarily pellets, fragments, foams, films, and fibres) in the Anaga Rural Park since 2015. This is based on the recent analysis of samples collected from the soil and groundwater of this Biosphere Reserve.
Furthermore, it has been established that Las Carboneras is the area exhibiting the highest concentration of microplastics, whereas Cruz del Carmen is noted for containing the largest particles, as reported by the city council.
The initiative, spearheaded by ULL professors Javier Hernández Borges and Francisco Javier Díaz Peña, was undertaken in four sites within the park to identify microplastics in the massif’s soil: at the Cruz del Carmen viewpoint, frequented by tourists; in the Las Carboneras community, an area where agricultural and domestic activities are intertwined; the El Río region, primarily focused on agriculture; and a mountainous zone adjacent to El Río, characterised by well-preserved laurel vegetation.
In each of these locations, eight sampling sites were randomly selected using Geographic Information System tools such as QGIS and Google Earth. Additionally, the geographic coordinates of each site were documented for subsequent use in mapping.
The final report from these analyses, which had previously indicated the existence of plastic microparticles in the Anaga Rural Park, confirms that the Las Carboneras area holds the highest concentration of microplastics, as advised by the city council. Generally, colourless or white films and fragments predominate, with polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) being the most prevalent types of polymers. Moreover, the leaf litter samples collected indicated the presence of microplastics in the Cruz del Carmen area, which contained the largest particles discovered throughout the study, with films and colourless fragments of polypropylene, polyurethane, and cellulose being prevalent once again.
Alongside soil samples, water samples were also gathered, with ten sampling points selected representing the three dominant types in the area: wells, galleries, and springs. These were chosen based on the water flow available as per the most recent surveys conducted.
The conclusion drawn is that a higher concentration of plastic particles was detected in the gallery waters, likely due to the increased exposure of this type of system to atmospheric pollution. Particles measuring less than 4 mm were observed, predominantly colourless cellulose fibres.
“A reality”
The Mayor of Santa Cruz, José Manuel Bermúdez, stated that “this report signifies how microplastic pollution is a reality that is already impacting our most distinguished natural environment, a fact that concerns us and prompts us to collaborate in raising awareness within the population and safeguarding this treasure of biodiversity.”
Meanwhile, the Councillor for Public Services, Environmental Sustainability, and Vice-President of the Santa Cruz Sustainable Foundation, Carlos Tarife, remarked that “we must persist in our efforts to ensure that these particles, found in air, soil, and water, do not endanger our environment, as well as to promote awareness about the significance of maintaining this natural treasure that is of immeasurable value.” He added that “it is the responsibility of the council, as a public institution, to implement all actions that foster its protection.”
Equally, the director of the Santa Cruz Sostenible Foundation, Diego Broock, noted that “it is a reality that the Anaga Rural Park is endangered by these microplastics transported by atmospheric phenomena and tourist activity, which encourages us to continue our actions aimed at safeguarding this area, considered the great lung of Santa Cruz.”
Additionally, Belén Machado, head of Fundación Cepsa in the Canary Islands, mentioned that “biodiversity is a strategic priority for Fundación Cepsa, which is why this type of study on the presence of plastic particles in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems is vital for its protection. These particles can even affect health, so understanding their prevalence in our environment allows us to comprehend these risks better, as well as facilitating awareness raising and promoting behavioural changes within the community.”
It was further noted that most of the particles identified were of a cellulosic nature, and it was not possible to ascertain whether they were of natural or synthetic origin using the current technology; however, the research group has begun applying chemometric tools to identify the origins of these particles.
The researchers also highlighted that, beyond the insights generated in this study on the Anaga Rural Park, the legacy of this project is the methodology that can serve as a reference for future research efforts globally.
This study thus establishes the groundwork for forthcoming research and potential measures to mitigate microplastic pollution in Anaga Rural Park.
