The study measured microplastic particles along Rio’s 1.7 kilometre Flamengo Beach. Researchers sampled different stretches of sand before, during and shortly after Carnival, and carried out a fourth round of sampling eight months later. The research was done in 2024, a year when Flamengo hosted 18 parades, including three that attracted more than 100,000 people.
Results showed plastic fragments, including glitter, made up 66.3 per cent of microplastics, with fibres at 26.2 per cent and granules at 7.5 per cent. Particle levels remained elevated for several days after Carnival ended. Citywide figures for 2024 noted around eight million people attended Rio’s festivities.
Researchers warn microplastics can be carried by tides, wind and currents into the nearshore sea and the adjacent ocean. These particles can be ingested by seabed animals or filter feeders, carry toxic substances and heavy metals, and cause digestive obstruction, reduced feeding and other physiological changes. The study also lists non-plastic glitter alternatives and mentions a proposed ban on plastic and metal glitter.
Difficult words
- microplastic — very small plastic pieces in the environmentmicroplastic particles, microplastics
- fragment — small broken pieces of a larger objectplastic fragments
- glitter — tiny shiny plastic or metal pieces
- fibre — long thin threads from cloth or materialfibres
- sample — to take a small piece for testingsampled, sampling
- tide — regular rise and fall of the seatides
- ingest — to take food or particles into the bodyingested
- filter feeder — animal that eats small particles from waterfilter feeders
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Have you seen glitter or small plastic pieces on a local beach or park? How did they affect the area?
- What could cities do to reduce microplastic pollution after large public events?
- Would you support a ban on plastic and metal glitter? Why or why not?
Related articles
Data centers and mining could raise US power costs by 2030
A new study warns that growing electricity use by data centers and cryptocurrency mining could raise power prices and CO2 emissions in the United States by 2030. Researchers modelled hourly power needs across 26 regions to find likely impacts.
Women, Forests and COP30: RADD's Forest Immersion in Cameroon
During COP30 in Belém (10–21 November 2025) RADD held a forest immersion on 17 November 2025 in Cameroon. The event connected women, local forest knowledge and global climate debates and included training, planting and exchanges.
Pressure on Kibira National Park from tea farms and development
Tea plantations and other development near Kibira National Park in northwest Burundi have reduced forest cover and made wildlife, including chimpanzees, rarer. Experts and local people call for community action to protect the park.
India's visa restrictions after Bangladesh upheaval hit Kolkata and medical tourism
After an August 2024 political upheaval in Bangladesh, India sharply limited visas for Bangladeshi citizens, citing security concerns and anti-India sentiment. The fall in visitors has damaged Kolkata businesses and India’s medical tourism from Bangladesh.