Water pollution by urban solid waste and microplastics in a rural community in the state of Guerrero, Mexico

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to assess the environmental and public health impacts caused by inadequate urban solid waste (MSW) management and the presence of microplastics in Las Ánimas, a rural community in Guerrero, Mexico, with a special emphasis on water resource contamination. The methodology, a mixed-methods approach with an explanatory, cross-sectional, and multi-scale design, was employed. The methodology integrated geospatial analysis of open-air dumpsites, physical characterization of waste according to Mexican standards, in-depth interviews with local stakeholders, and visual identification of microplastics in the digestive tracts of poultry. The spatial proximity between dumpsites and water sources was analyzed using GIS tools and aerial drone imagery. Findings reveal a high per capita MSW generation (0.5566 kg/person/day) and the existence of 24 informal dumpsites, many of which are located near springs, agricultural fields, and residential areas. Plastic waste represented a significant fraction of the total waste composition. Microplastics were visually identified in the digestive systems of free-range chickens, indicating their integration into the local food chain. These findings demonstrate that rural communities are not exempt from the environmental impacts of plastic pollution and that current waste disposal practices compromise water quality, public health, and ecosystem services. In conclusion, the study provides evidence that unregulated MSW disposal in rural areas causes severe environmental degradation, including water pollution and the spread of microplastics to food systems. The integration of geospatial tools, biological indicators, and local socio-environmental data underscores the need to review public policies that have traditionally focused on urban areas. Practical implications highlight the urgent need for inclusive, community-based waste management strategies that incorporate environmental education, local governance, and appropriate technologies. Policymakers must address the specific conditions of rural environments by designing interventions that reduce the dispersion of solid and emerging pollutants while protecting key ecosystem services and food security.