塑料污染是一个至关重要的环境问题，其影响深远，尚未充分探索。这项研究发现了由于在安托法加斯塔海岸附近的建筑工地上用作伸缩缝的发泡聚苯乙烯（EPS）的不当应用和管理而引起的塑料污染的重要来源。智利。通过细致的现场观察和计算，我们估计，惊人的8290万个EPS球体有可能从7.62立方米的这种材料中释放到环境中，用于建造这个沿海长廊，构成慢性污染源。尽管正在进行建设，我们已经证明了EPS微塑料污染在周围自然环境中的机械破碎和分散。据我们所知,这是第一项记录滥用建筑材料导致塑料污染的研究。除了EPS污染，我们的发现揭示了令人震惊的垃圾积累——一种急性污染源——包括塑料杯，瓶子,手提袋,和其他几种建筑材料(例如塑料网，电影）加剧了该地区的污染问题，并可能危及海洋和陆地生物。这些观察结果突出表明，迫切需要针对与建筑相关的塑料和微塑料污染采取缓解措施和干预政策。以及对建筑活动的更健全的监管框架以及适当的监督和执法。
Plastic pollution is a critical environmental issue with far-reaching and not yet fully explored consequences. This study uncovered a significant source of plastic contamination arising from improper application and management of expanded polystyrene (EPS) utilised as expansion joints at a construction site near the coast of Antofagasta, Chile. Through meticulous field observations and calculations, we estimate that a staggering 82.9 million EPS spheres have the potential to be released into the environment from the 7.62 m3 of this material used for the construction of this coastal promenade, constituting a chronic source of pollution. Despite the ongoing construction, we have already evidenced mechanical fragmentation and dispersion of EPS microplastic pollution in the surrounding natural environment. To our knowledge, this is the first study that documents misused construction materials contributing to plastic pollution. In addition to the EPS pollution, our findings reveal an alarming accumulation of litter - an acute pollution source - including plastic cups, bottles, carrier bags, and several other construction materials (e.g. plastic nets, films) that are exacerbating the pollution problems within the region and potentially endangering marine and terrestrial organisms. These observations highlight the urgent need for mitigating measures and intervention policies targeting construction-related plastic and microplastic pollution, along with a more robust regulatory framework for construction activities as well as adequate surveillance and enforcement.
