Alan Rico

Mr. Alan Rico


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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21 May 2025 in Hydrology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
GHGleybis Hernandez-Morales
Gleybis Hernandez-Morales
MLMaría-Cristina López-Méndez
María-Cristina López-Méndez
ARAlan Rico
Alan Rico
JPJesus Perez-Moreno
Jesus Perez-Moreno
CPCarolina Peña-Montes
Carolina Peña-Montes
RMRaymundo Humberto Gonzalez Moreno
Raymundo Humberto Gonzalez Moreno
Veracruz is a megadiverse state facing great water resource management challenges. The contamination of water bodies with external materials of anthropogenic origin stands out, including those derived from plastic products, which are deemed ubiquitous, emerging contaminants that have gained notoriety in recent decades due to the extent and effects of their presence, persistence and distribution in aquatic ecosystems. Being a significant environmental threat, their presence, persistence and distribution in aquatic ecosystems are deserving of a more detailed study. This research focused on analyzing microplastic (MP) retention and characterization in environmental matrixes (water and sediment) in the Bobos River’s lower basin, also taking into account other water physicochemical parameters, including a pH range from slightly acidic (5.17) to slightly alkaline (8.94) as the maximum value and an average temperature of 28.87 °C (83.96 °F). MPs are most frequently found in the form of blue-colored fibers. A polymer analysis by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed that the most common polymer was polyethylene (PE), which is the main component of most agricultural mulch and agrochemical containers. This research aims to enhance the understanding of the plastic matter contamination of water bodies, pointing out the need for further and deeper research on this subject.