Researchers measured microplastic contamination on Rio de Janeiro’s Flamengo Beach, a 1.7 kilometre stretch, by taking sand samples along different areas before, during and shortly after Carnival, with a fourth sampling round eight months later. The 2024 study coincided with a year when Flamengo hosted 18 parades, including three that drew more than 100,000 people. Citywide, around eight million people attended Carnival and more than 1,400 tonnes of solid waste were collected, with over half coming from street parties.
Analysis found plastic fragments, including conventional glitter, accounted for 66.3 per cent of identified microplastics, while fibres made up 26.2 per cent and granules 7.5 per cent. Glitter is a primary microplastic usually under 5 mm, made of a thin plastic layer—typically PET—coated with a metallic film. Because it is light, glitter disperses easily through air, water and contact, and particle levels remained elevated for days after the event.
Scientists warn these particles can be transported by tides, wind and currents into the infralittoral zone and the adjacent ocean. Flamengo Beach lies within Guanabara Bay, which already receives domestic and industrial waste from 16 surrounding municipalities. Microplastics can be ingested by seabed animals or filter feeders, may carry toxic substances and heavy metals, and can cause blocked digestive tracts, reduced feeding capacity and physiological changes. One study participant, biologist Luana Yoshida, reported that submerged glitter reduced photosynthesis rates by 30 per cent in elodea, a common aquatic plant.
Alternatives to conventional glitter include regenerated cellulose, synthetic mica, seaweed, vegetable gelatin and natural dyes. Researchers and campaigners urge reduced use of conventional glitter, environmental certification, marketing control and consumer education during Carnival. Regulations and proposed bans exist in some places, and a bill in Brazil would ban the manufacture, import and sale of plastic and metal versions of glitter.
Difficult words
- microplastic — Very small plastic particles, usually under five millimetresmicroplastics
- glitter — Tiny shiny plastic particles used for decoration
- disperse — To spread widely through air or waterdisperses
- fibre — Thin thread-like pieces of material or plasticfibres
- infralittoral zone — Shallow marine area close to the shore under low tide
- ingest — To take into the body by swallowing or eatingingested
- filter feeder — Animal that feeds by filtering small particles from waterfilter feeders
- photosynthesis — Process by which plants make food from light
- regenerated cellulose — Cellulose processed to make biodegradable glitter or film
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- What are the likely benefits and challenges of banning plastic glitter during large events like Carnival?
- Which actions mentioned in the article (regulation, certification, consumer education) do you think would most reduce beach microplastic pollution, and why?
- How could event organisers and participants reduce the spread of light plastic particles at crowded celebrations?
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